Sorry for not letting you all know how I got on with my "little" problem, but it is still on-going.
Went and got 2 replacement lambda sensors to try from my local friendly scrapper along with a new engine E.C.U. all for the grand total of £3.50 (well I have known him for a looooong time!).the only problem being that all the sensors I found were bolted into the exhaust downpipe and mine is bolted into the cat. This has obviously been a problem before as when I got under the car, there was some seriously bodged wiring.
Sorted it out, fitted the new sensor and went for a drive. Everything seemed fine, and the car wasn't hesitating at all, but was lacking power, nothing too bad but it was struggling to get to 70mph. lived with it until last weekend when I thought I would try the other sensor. no different but the car seemed to be getting a little vocal.
Came home tonight with a very loud car, it now has a blow somewhere around the manifold. I cant tell where because it took me 2hrs playing with the manifold heat shield only for it to still be on the car, how the hell are you supposed to remove the bl**dy thing? there is no room to, as the haynes manual says, "simply remove" it!! I think my local garage will be getting this job.
But I do feel I might be getting closer to fixing the car, maybe the problem has been the manifold all along, who knows?
Oh, the E.C.U was of no good to me, as my car has the keypad immobiliser and the car I took the E.C.U. off must have had one as well, and I dont know the code! so I cant start the car when I connect it!! anybody know a way round this?
So I will keep plodding on and let you know when (if!?!) I get it all sorted out.
And again, thank you all for your help, I couldn't have got this far without your advice
