my dads 16 valve zant has died, it started a couple of weeks ago , baulking when starting almost like hydraulic lock, but would eventualy start, then it started backfiring thru the inlet, then wont even try to fire?? so we changed the coil rail and plugs still nothing, i checked the compressions (all at aprox 180 psi) checket the valve timing, ok, checked the coil rail with the plugs in on top of the engine and noticed that the plugs are firing in pairs? ie, no 1and4 spark together and no 2and3 spark together, is this because it only has two coils (redundant spark) or has the ECU gone gaga, HELP, please mail me at splez4@aol.com

zant sorted, it was the crank sensor

Just to answer you Q about coils. There are coils on ALL four sparkers... and it uses a wasted spark system... you checked the obvious and the next sugestion would have been the crank sensor... common on the XM Petrols too...

Glad you got sorted.

Paul