Saxo 1.1 cutting out when warm

[Dewar]

Hi all

Can anyone help. My R reg 1.1 saxo starts fine when cold. Once driven for 20 mins it starts to splutter then finally cuts out. It sometimes backfires at this point too.
Once i have pulled over the engine will turn over but wont fire. After leaving the car 5 to 10 minutes to cool down it will start again.
The imobiliser light is going out with the key and the engine cooling system is working fine, ie the radiator fan cuts in and out and the coolant is at normal level with no sign of frothing.
There is no trace of water in the oil so dont think this is a head gasket issue. the car has only done 86000miles.
Please help as I cant rely on driving it on motorway's anymore.

[Manu]

check your coilpack and spark plugs

[Dewar]

Thanks MANU. Do you think the coil pack and plugs would cause a problem when the engine is warm? This problem has started recently and has always been on dry warm days.

[Dewar]

There is also a smell of oil fumes in hte car when stationary.

[robertt]

Has your engine check light on the dash come on at all? Any other symptoms?

If an ignition/coilpack fault the smell could be unburnt fuel.

[Dewar]

Hi Robertt

The engine check light has not come on at any time other than when the engine cut's out then all the ignition lights etc... come on.
There was one other thing, the last time I was brave enough to drive the car it ran fine for the usual 20mins then cut out. Took around 10mins to get it going again. During that time it was turning over fine but not firing. On one attempt the starter was turning the engine then stopped dead, it almost felt like the starter or engine had seized. I turned the ignition off and tried again and the starter and engine turned freely.
It is a strange fault that I cant diagnose.
There are no other symptoms that I can think of.

[Dewar]

Hi all

Just to let you know my Saxo was in the garage and the mechanics discovered the Crankshaft Senso was loose. Thsi has now been sorted and the car appears to be running sweet. (touch wood)