Hey all.

My 2001 323F 1.5 ZL1 Judders when driving, more severe in low gears (feels a big hand takes hold of the front bumper and shakes the car) Engine also stops when hot, we get crank no start then it starts when cooled down.

All fluids OK and put some Redex in the fuel and ran that through.

First we cleaned the MAF and now I changed the ignition coils (£29 on ebay for used ones from a 1999 323 1.6L) and car still behaves the same.

My ex mechanic co-worker suspects the EGR valve needs cleaning or the camshaft sensor needs replacing but any other ideas would be appreciated.

Car does not have an OBD2 port, seems to have proprietary ports in the engine bay instead so cant get an error code if there even is one.

Ive filmed what happens when revving the engine at idle, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRWnf5Qp_nI

This is my first car, got my practical test on the 2nd of September and would like to get some practice.

Seems to be a lovely car, rides smooth and is a pleasant place to be, just wish it worked properly!

Now also cleaned the PCV valve, no change.

Got hold of an LED and a wire to try and get any error codes from the 17pin diagnostics port.
Saw a video on how to use the LED to display error codes.

Anyone know how they are read? some sites say "long, short, short, short" would mean error code 13 for example but other sites say differently.

I have watched your you tube video, and yes the car sounds wrong, sorry you have a problem.

I say start with the cheap things (you are going down an expensive route at the moment - camshaft sensor and coils and MAF could be the cause but can cost a bit).

I would start with spark plugs. Only about £20 for a full set. (Normally would do them at the same time as the coils?)

Then check the air pipes, it sounds/feels a bit like a leak in the intake side, or in one of the other pipes around the inlet manifold.

Going to pick up a set of spark plugs.
We did a visual check of them and they looked OK but have not actually checked if they work.

Il update when tested with new ones.

Spark plugs changed, no difference.

When trying to read error codes from the diagnostics port it sparked and blew the instrument panel fuse (I hope its just a fuse) will try and fix that today.

Should be spare fuses in the fuse boxes right?

Sounds like you bridged the wrong terminals in the port box.

Check the terminal numbers carefully. I think there's a warning in the book somewhere about not bridging live 12v to GND - for obvious reasons! But it's easy to count the wrong pins, or have the diagram the wrong way up. Check the voltage on the pins with a meter.
Hope that helps.
Also have you checked the air pipes.

Fixed the electrical problem, fuse for the dash had gone, replaced with the fuse form the A/C for now.

Problem with the engine still stands, waiting for co worker to come round so we can check the EGR and air pipes.

Isn't it dissapointing when someore reports a problem , but doesnt report back when he has found out how to mend it .!