Forum:
Many thanks to all of you who wrote in with ideas and suggestions. Having plumbed the depths of the RAC's, my and your knowledge the car was handed over to the local garage and $350 or so later the answer is suspected to be the coil. As the replacement has yet to be fitted I am not 100% convinced but after extensive testing it was the only component not working perfectly. It would appear that it was not capable of supplying spark to 4 plugs under load but could manage a respectable spark with the plug out ??!. I will let you know tomorrow if it worked.
Again, many thanks
Confirmed
Definitely the coil - quote the mechanic "Ive only changed 3 coils in 25 years" Ours had to be the third. So there you go - a spark at the plugs does not necessarily mean a spark under load. Now how do you test for that without fancy gear, a spare coil ( ours checked in at AU$150 ) or training? Any thoughts?
Thanks to all for their help and ideas
Paul
solution
I did post that it was an electrical problem!
PS .. Some years ago I had similar coil failure on a Ford.
rattle at 2.7-3k revs
Hello all,
Just purchased my first (second Hand) Daihatsu sport track and I appear to have a rattle between 2,700 and 3,000 revs when excellerating(as if the exhaust has a big whole in it) I was told by the dealer this was normal - can anyone out there reassure me please or give me a clue on what it could be - the car came with a full 12 month mot?