My Almera 1.8 has done 60k easy miles 'never driven hard' and is regularly maintained.

I recently had to replace a coil pack on No1 piston, which resolved the misfire problem and the car drove lovely again.

One month latter I had to replace the coil on No4 cylinder, which again cured he problem, but this time the engine fault light came on the dash and stayed on. I employed a mobile machanic who checked the electronics with a hand held tester, it reported a problem with the crank shaft sensor, but after resetting the EMU the dash light stayed off and the car drove well.

One week later No4 cylinder broke down again, I thought coil pack must be faulty and got it exchanged, but when fitted the car still would not start, firing on 2 or 3 cylinders only. I cannot start the car so I am unable test which coil, if any are faulty.

When the car starts and is driving there is no symptoms at all, in fact it purrs along, mile after mile.

The ignition problem (when it occurs) is always on start up from cold, it fires on 3 cylinders and after a while when all four fire up it runs beautifully, no jerking jumping or stopping.

I have taken the engine cam cover off and the drive chain is tight, the tensioner deflects the chain by approx 5mm. I cannot see the plunger on the tensioner that I have read about (If protrudes more than 10mm then is chain is stretched) mine dosn't appear to have a plunger.

The car will not start at all now and when turned over the engine floods with petrol which is not helpful.

There is obviously something wrong with the electronics which puts a strain on the coil packs when started from cold, never when the engine is warm! I intend to change the crank sensor when this arrives and will keep you posted on events, as it may help someone else.

Meanwhile I would be pleased to hear if anyone has had a similar experience, I can't be the first, but knowing my luck I probably am.