It started as a 'dead spot' at around 4500rpm in top gear which felt like the ignition had turned off, but when you throttled down a bit it'd pick up again.

Slowly over the following two days it got worse with the 'dead spot' growing down the rev range until it died completely 70km south of Antofagasta. It was almost as if the 'Hand of the Desert' statue was a stop sign.

Thanks to some friendly truckers we make it into town before sundown (bleeding cold in the desert) & I've been trying to figure out whats broken.

The ignition lead was a bit chewed up from rubbing on something so I´ve already swapped that out (and the plug), but the problem is still there.

If anyone has any ideas on the cause, PLEASE let me know, its driving me nuts!

Symptoms are :-
- Can start the engine with a little perseverence
- Engine WILL idle
- Opening the throttle (even a little) causes the engine to run rough & stumble to a halt.
- Has a healthy spark
- Removing the airbox & turning the engine over (full throttle with the plug disconnected) shows that the injector is injecting nicely.
- Can see the engine backfiring (flash in the intake manifold) when opening the throttle a little by peering down the throttle stub.

I'm starting to suspect either a burnt intake valve or a screwed airflow sensor on the throttle stub..... but if anyone has seen this before please let me know.

Cheers,

Bob

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