My Ford KA 1997 P Reg is making a terrible knocking noise at idle and refuses to let the revs go up above 1000rpm. theres a terrible shaking that shakes the whole car and all this comes from the engine (1300cc endura-e). Any ideas as to whats wrong? I've checked the cylinders by taking off the HT leads on the spark plugs and it seems that cylinder 4 is not firing. Any ideas?

Ryan Jardine, May 2008

KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE U HAVE SNAPED A CON ROD.PUT CAR IN GEAR KEYS OUT REMOVE SPARK PLUGS JACK UP ONE DRIVEN ROAD WHEEL TILL IT CLEARS THE GROUND THEN TURN THAT WHEEL BY HAND,THIS WILL TURNOVER THE ENGINE LOOK DOWN EACH SPARK PLUG HOLE IN TURN YOU AHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE TOP OF THE PISTONS RISING AND FALLING AS U TURN THE ROAD WHEEL IF U CANNOT SEE NO 4 PISTON MOVING AND U FEEL OR HEAR CLANKS INSIDE THE ENGINE ITS DEAD

A.RAMSAY, May 2008