Engine problem in hot weather (V8S)
Discussion
Help appreciated!
Twice recently on short lunchtime trips to the local dump I've been unable to restart the engine after a short stop. The engine will turn over but not fire up. Eventually the battery begins to wilt.
The first time it happened I was able to bump it on a down ramp from the bins. Yesterday it again failed to restart and the battery was beginning to suffer. I opened the bonnet to fresh air for around 10 minutes to let it cool down and it started.
I know the fibreglass bonnet and lack of space under it lead to excess heat - is the car flooding? Is the fuel evaporating in the fuel lines? Has anyone found a way of preventing this annoying problem?
The car generally starts first time and runs well.
MTIA
Steve
Twice recently on short lunchtime trips to the local dump I've been unable to restart the engine after a short stop. The engine will turn over but not fire up. Eventually the battery begins to wilt.
The first time it happened I was able to bump it on a down ramp from the bins. Yesterday it again failed to restart and the battery was beginning to suffer. I opened the bonnet to fresh air for around 10 minutes to let it cool down and it started.
I know the fibreglass bonnet and lack of space under it lead to excess heat - is the car flooding? Is the fuel evaporating in the fuel lines? Has anyone found a way of preventing this annoying problem?
The car generally starts first time and runs well.
MTIA
Steve
There is a common heat related starter motor problem but the symptoms are you turn the key and nothing happens. In your case the engine is turning over (presumably at something like the normal speed) so it sounds more like a fuel or ignition problem.
I used to get fuel evaporation problems when the engine bay was stinking hot, but the symptoms were the engine was reluctant to fire and then a bit rough for a couple of seconds rather than not firing at all. I have lagged the fuel rail and don't get this problem any more. If you can reproduce the problem, I think you will be able to track it down fairly quickly. You can put a passive strobe in series with one of the HT leads to show whether you have a good spark. If not, it is probably an overheated electrical component, my guess wold be the coil or ignition module. A quick way to diagnose this sort of problem is to wrap a bag of frozen peas round the coil for a couple of minutes to cool it down quickly, and see if the symptoms go away. If that doesn't do it try the ignition module. Failing that ou need to fall back to more traditional trouble shooting techniques to find out where the problem is.
I used to get fuel evaporation problems when the engine bay was stinking hot, but the symptoms were the engine was reluctant to fire and then a bit rough for a couple of seconds rather than not firing at all. I have lagged the fuel rail and don't get this problem any more. If you can reproduce the problem, I think you will be able to track it down fairly quickly. You can put a passive strobe in series with one of the HT leads to show whether you have a good spark. If not, it is probably an overheated electrical component, my guess wold be the coil or ignition module. A quick way to diagnose this sort of problem is to wrap a bag of frozen peas round the coil for a couple of minutes to cool it down quickly, and see if the symptoms go away. If that doesn't do it try the ignition module. Failing that ou need to fall back to more traditional trouble shooting techniques to find out where the problem is.
.............everything Peter said 
. 
Have to agree with GreenV8S, chances are that the heat in the engine bay is boiling the fuel in the rail and you are getting vapour lock. Perhaps putting the bonnet up while you are at the tip will let the thing cool faster, with the added benifit of giving all around you a good look at your MONSTER engine.
Z
Z
Thanks for the advice everyone.
The starter motor is fine, I had the 'usual' problem on my Wedge and used to carry a broom handle for a short sharp tap.
Trouble is that I rarely have a pack of frozen peas to hand when it happens, I suppose I could nip home first and take a pack with me when I next make the trip. Car was fine today with the cooling rain.
Peter, what did you use to lag the fuel rail? I know where the coil is, so can test cooling that, but where would I find the ignition module?
The starter motor is fine, I had the 'usual' problem on my Wedge and used to carry a broom handle for a short sharp tap.
Trouble is that I rarely have a pack of frozen peas to hand when it happens, I suppose I could nip home first and take a pack with me when I next make the trip. Car was fine today with the cooling rain.
Peter, what did you use to lag the fuel rail? I know where the coil is, so can test cooling that, but where would I find the ignition module?
Do you have the link or the part number from where you bought it Peter?
Thanks
Mike
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Errr....DT = Demon Tweeks/Thieves...???????
How about this stuff: www.demon-tweeks.com/catalogue/product_detail.asp?CLS=MCYCLE&TLGRP=MC009&CODE=mocagc&PGRP=MCP025&GRP=MCP025&PCODE=MOCAGC1
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