Hi all,

 

This evening tried to start my car, but no luck. Just wouldn't fire. Kept on turing over, but nothing else.

 

Thought it might have been flooded engine, so removed the fuse whilst turning over and tried again, but no luck.

 

Any ideas what it could be?

 

Thanks

best way to think about it is

 

Spark + fuel + air + timing + compression = :)

 

Work on the spark first, start at the end and work up, is there a spark from the plug? If not check the coil pack / connector, if not that ptu, before that is the cas (also timing).

 

When you take the plug out is it wet with fuel? If not then injectors first, then fuel filter, lines, pump and last is the tank. (couldnt start mine for a week and found no fuel in the tank)!

 

Its pretty unlikely you will have no air getting into the bores so we can rule that out (unless you blocked it for some reason).

 

Timing - Cas is really the only thing that can be knocked out.

 

Compression - well you can test for compression but unless 3 or more cylinders are shot it should start, same goes for spark, it will start on 5 maybe even 4.

Hi all,

 

This evening tried to start my car, but no luck. Just wouldn't fire. Kept on turing over, but nothing else.

 

Thought it might have been flooded engine, so removed the fuse whilst turning over and tried again, but no luck.

 

Any ideas what it could be?

 

Thanks

 

i had this problem other day, was turning over but just would not fire!

 

anyways i think i flooded her a little.... but i left her and went back next morning

 

i checked all connections... battery and pressed a few things :P lol and hey presto, fired up nicely.

 

no idea cause of probs (maybe flooded) but is fine now

I noticed for the past day or so it had been starting very crap i.e. took a few turns to get it started when it would normally just fire up straight away after just one turn.

 

Given that what could it be? I've recently checked all plugs and coils.

Is it turning slower or faster than normal?

battery perhaps?? :confused: :confused:

If it's something that's getting progressively worst then my money would be on low compression either caused by sticking valves or broken landers.

 

Did it run lumpy until warm when you eventually got it started ?.

 

But first things first.

 

Check all the spark plugs are firing:

take a coil pack off, undo the plug, put a spare in it's place, now connect the plug you removed from the engine to the coil pack, earth the bottom of the plug on the plenum and crank the engine.

 

any spark ? Try this with each of the plugs (using the plugs own coil pack).

No spark on one or more, then change the plug and try again, still no spark, stat checking the PTU.

 

Now check the fuel and the injectors. With the ignition on but engine not started, turn the Crank angle sensor by hand and listen to make sure each of the injectors clicks. No click ?. Start checking the CAS for wiring problems or replace the cas with a borrowed working one.

 

All these ok ?.

 

You now need to check compression, have yourself a compression test done.

 

Let us know how you get on.

Where in London are you ?. I may be able to help you out if you are not too far.

Working fine now. Cheers all. Wiggled the PTU connector and pushed it in and it started. Does it mean that the PTU is on its way out and do you think it will happen again?

Even though the connections on the PTU look as if they are clean, give them a rub with a smal file, and close the female connectors a bit more, take them out one by one, as if you all of them at once, its a mare to work out where they go.

Spary with with Ambersol or other water deterent cleaner.

If the PTU connnector is not connected fully you will usually loose 1 or 2 cylinders.

 

As Stu says above disconnect and give the terminals a good scrub.

 

Another common problem with the PTU (series 1 only) is that as it gets hot the connnectors inside lift off causing the engine to loose a cylinder. If this happens it's either time to swap it, get it repaired or the most common option is to upgrade to a series 2 which doesn't have this problem.