4.0 won't start

[Marlboro]

Hi,

My chimaera 4.0 '96 has decided to no longer start.

The battery is kept charged via an optimate charger so no problem there.

Checked dist cap and rotor arm, both look ok, no worn out contacts or carbon build up.

I suspect the ignition coil.

Any tips on the best way to diagnose this?

Is the best replacement the Bosch p/n PRC 6574

Regards
Brian

[Marlboro]

Engine turns over fine. Can smell fuel at exhaust, guess no spark.

Sorry for lack of info.

Was on my own today so could not check ignition spark.

Just looking for a few pointers.

Appreciate your help.
Brian

[Marlboro]

Sideways,

As said I was on my own.

Could not check.

I need to investigate further and rule out the basics.

Thanks
Brian

[Marlboro]

Fuel pump primes as normal.

Will check spark tomorrow when I'll have some help.

Cheers
Brian

[Marlboro]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the help.

Took a plug out today and have a spark.(plug looked good just fouled with fuel).

So there's a spark and fuel but no life at all when turning over.

Doesn't even missfire.

Confused

Brian

[Marlboro]

Guys,

Ordered a Bosch coil today and have disconnected ECU.
Battery is on charge.

Should have coil on Monday so no fun this weekend.

Thanks for the advice.

Regards
Brian

[Marlboro]

Hi,

Removed 6 plugs, the easy ones, and cleaned them up.

Checked gaps and replaced.

Still nothing. Not firing at all.
It turns over as if the dist cap was removed.

Cheers
Brian

[Marlboro]

The saga continues....

Fitted new Bosch coil and cleaned up plugs again.
Also disconnected ECU night before.

Still will not start.

What gets me is that there is fuel and a spark.
But it wont fire at all. Not even a miss-fire.

Any suggestions?

Regards
Brian

[Marlboro]

The guy that looks after my tvr is on hols till Monday.

Suspect I'll wait till then.

Cheers
Brian

[Marlboro]

I'm in Guildford.

Cheers
Brian

[Marlboro]

Im in Guildford.

Kind Regards
Brian

Sorry had problem with browser refreshing.

Edited by Marlboro on Monday 8th October 16:13

[Marlboro]

Turns over fine, starter motor definately not sticking.

Glad I have an optimate charger, the battery has taken some punishment.

Cheers
Brian

[Marlboro]

OK, my jobs for tomorrow...

Purge fuel, steal battery from my trusty old volvo.

Cheers
Brian

[Marlboro]

No luck,

Just replaced ignition unit next to coil and plugs.

It started but would not idle.
Ran it for 10 mins at 2000 to 2500 rpm. Sounded like it was running on 6 or 7 cylinders.

Checked plugs, flooded again.

Appears to be running far too rich fuel mixture.

What can cause this?

Brian

[Marlboro]

At last!!!!!!!

Just been for a 30min drive with no problems, just a slight miss under load.

Last thing I did was to clean the 'new' flooded plugs and add Wynn's Injector cleaner to the fuel.

Took a while to start then burst into life.

Guess the slight missfire must be a dodgy lead or heatshield.

Much happier again.

Regards
Brian

[Marlboro]

Wasn't this my thread?

Never Mind.

Regards
Brian

[Marlboro]

Thanks Julian,

It just confuses things when more than one topic ends up in a single thread.

I'm normally confused anyway, so no change for me.

Kind Regards
Brian

[Marlboro]

Hi all,

Summary of fault finding....

Replaced:
Coil, Ignition amp, sparkplugs and still had starting problems.

Added injector cleaner to fuel and it started up. (fuel was not old).

Still slight miss-fire under load so replaced plug leads.

Now running OK.

Thanks for all the help.

Kind Regards
Brian

[Marlboro]

Stopped raining so went for another drive.

That Wynns injector cleaner has made one hell of a difference.

Acceleration and right foot response much improved.
Used half a tank of fuel until I noticed the change, but well worth it.

Wouldn't have beleived it.

Regards
Brian