Many thanks for the suggestions - I've had coil-pack problems with other cars and whilst causing a similar misfire (on light throttle) this problem is more of a brief cut-out, causing a slight lurch at speed or, at tick-over, the engine to die.

Don't know much about the CPS but I've had 5 years of fault codes cleared today and will re-read in a couple more days to try to isolate the problem.

The fuel filter suggestion could be one to try but I'd have expected the misfire to get worse as revs increase - like on a tractor or digger that has to cope with so much crud in the fuel that they're often fitted with two filters in the fuel line! They just won't rev at all because the fuel can't get through quickly enough.

The thing I will be looking for is any link with the PCV valve which has been known to cause these kinds of problems.

ANdy

• 735 E38 Misfire/stalling - andyrob 2008-09-29 18:20:58 (49 views)
  • Has the fuel filter ever been replaced? (url) - davidc 2008-10-01 02:14:52 (43 views)
    • I guess I'm due ... broke 107K just a few days ago (nt) - aaron00740il 2008-10-01 02:19:19 (14 views)
  • Could be CPS or bad sparks/coils. Did you read any codes? (nt) - Edwin 2008-09-30 10:04:34 (20 views)
    • Re: Could be CPS or bad sparks/coils. Did you read any codes? - andyrob 2008-10-02 19:44:39 (22 views)
      • MAF fault solved - andyrob 2008-10-06 18:39:15 (20 views)