Starting after winter storage
Discussion
Hi
I have a Mk1 Eunos that I have just taken out of winter storage (went in in November) into a not exctly bone dry barn (but not horrendous either). Has spent the winter with battery disconnected. It was a first time everytime starter before it was put away.
Engine turns over happily but nothing.
I have checked the obvious stuff - and found there doesn't seem to be a spark (on number 1) - haven't checked the other cylinders yet.
Not sure when the HT leads were last replaced.- new spark plugs went in today.....
I don't want to start replacing bits willy, nilly - coil packs etc. are expensive.!
Any ideas how I might return the 'old girl' to rude health? I know the weather is dire but I need to blow the cobwebs out - it's been a long winter!!!!
Cheers
Maser4200
I have a Mk1 Eunos that I have just taken out of winter storage (went in in November) into a not exctly bone dry barn (but not horrendous either). Has spent the winter with battery disconnected. It was a first time everytime starter before it was put away.
Engine turns over happily but nothing.
I have checked the obvious stuff - and found there doesn't seem to be a spark (on number 1) - haven't checked the other cylinders yet.
Not sure when the HT leads were last replaced.- new spark plugs went in today.....
I don't want to start replacing bits willy, nilly - coil packs etc. are expensive.!
Any ideas how I might return the 'old girl' to rude health? I know the weather is dire but I need to blow the cobwebs out - it's been a long winter!!!!
Cheers
Maser4200
Any fuel going in?
Turn key to on, and listen for fuel pump prime.
Then, take a plug out, wire brush it and dry it, and refit. Then try again for a few turns out remove the plug again and see if it's wet with fuel, and you should be able to smell it too out of the cylinder.
Remember 3 things - fuel, air, spark. Check all those and you should be somewhere near.
Does it try and fire, or just spin freely?
Turn key to on, and listen for fuel pump prime.
Then, take a plug out, wire brush it and dry it, and refit. Then try again for a few turns out remove the plug again and see if it's wet with fuel, and you should be able to smell it too out of the cylinder.
Remember 3 things - fuel, air, spark. Check all those and you should be somewhere near.
Does it try and fire, or just spin freely?
Just read properly.
Remember there's only two cools, each sparking two plugs.
So check the other 3 plugs. If 3 work, and your coil is working thus change the leads. If 2 plugs are not sparking, then it's likely the coil.
If you have a multimeter, and you can also check the leads. The ht wires have a fixed resistance/unit length, so by measuring resistance dividing by length, you can compare them. If you are varying resistances or one much higher than the rest, it's a dud.
It should just about manage to start off 3 cylinders to be honest...
(Sorry for poor grammar, phone is screwing it up)
Remember there's only two cools, each sparking two plugs.
So check the other 3 plugs. If 3 work, and your coil is working thus change the leads. If 2 plugs are not sparking, then it's likely the coil.
If you have a multimeter, and you can also check the leads. The ht wires have a fixed resistance/unit length, so by measuring resistance dividing by length, you can compare them. If you are varying resistances or one much higher than the rest, it's a dud.
It should just about manage to start off 3 cylinders to be honest...
(Sorry for poor grammar, phone is screwing it up)
Hi
Thanks for the advice.oOkay, have tried all the obvious stuff - fuel (listen into the filler hole with ignition on - sounds like a swishing mountain brook - so assume that's okay). Had all the plugs out and checked them....here's a weird one. Took the plugs out and cranked the engine - no spark when cranking but when the key goes back to 'of' I get a big blue spark!
Also I don't think fuel is getting to the plugs - they aren't wet after turning the engine over.
The car has an immobiliser on it - make unknown - could be original...I have a silly champfered cylinder thing with a metal ring in the end that you put against a pin and ring on the immobiliser and it turns the light from flashing to solid on. But when I crank the engine light goes out completely then back to solid (could this be the problem?) Would like to bypass it as it's one less thing on the electrics to worry about.
At least the weather is dire so I'm not missing any sunshine...would sure like to get this figured out.
Cheers
Maser4200
Thanks for the advice.oOkay, have tried all the obvious stuff - fuel (listen into the filler hole with ignition on - sounds like a swishing mountain brook - so assume that's okay). Had all the plugs out and checked them....here's a weird one. Took the plugs out and cranked the engine - no spark when cranking but when the key goes back to 'of' I get a big blue spark!
Also I don't think fuel is getting to the plugs - they aren't wet after turning the engine over.
The car has an immobiliser on it - make unknown - could be original...I have a silly champfered cylinder thing with a metal ring in the end that you put against a pin and ring on the immobiliser and it turns the light from flashing to solid on. But when I crank the engine light goes out completely then back to solid (could this be the problem?) Would like to bypass it as it's one less thing on the electrics to worry about.
At least the weather is dire so I'm not missing any sunshine...would sure like to get this figured out.
Cheers
Maser4200
Could be immobiliser as they are prone to failure. They usually allow the car to start and then quickly die though.
Your problem sounds like a failed cam angle sensor to me. If the ecu can't sense the engine turning over it won't fire a spark or injectors. Not sure how you test the CAS though.
Your problem sounds like a failed cam angle sensor to me. If the ecu can't sense the engine turning over it won't fire a spark or injectors. Not sure how you test the CAS though.
Hi All
Update on my starting troubles.....went through absoluetly every connection, wire etc. yesterday with the proverbial fine tooth combe. Double checked the gap on new plugs. Jumped in hit the key and seemed like business as usual not wanting to start. Got a little exasperated and furiously pumped the 'go' pedal 8 or 10 times while turning over and guess what? IT STARTED. Lots of white smoke and sounded half diesel but ran. Settled down to a comfortable idle no problem (though a bit 'tappety'). Moved it out of the garage onto the drive and let it warm up until there was some temp on the gauge.
Shut her down feeling pretty pleased and tried to restart.......oh dear, back to square one. Haven't tried to repeat from cold again as I assume I'll achieve the same results.
After I'd run the car I used the wire and LED diagostic check - no problems in it's memory which is a bit frustrating.....
So, I guess having started it rules out a couple of things; fuel, fuel pump, CAS?, Coil pack? - but I'm wondering if it could be the Air metre unit?
Feels like there's a light at the end of the tunnel now - any ideas guys?
Cheers
Maser 4200
Update on my starting troubles.....went through absoluetly every connection, wire etc. yesterday with the proverbial fine tooth combe. Double checked the gap on new plugs. Jumped in hit the key and seemed like business as usual not wanting to start. Got a little exasperated and furiously pumped the 'go' pedal 8 or 10 times while turning over and guess what? IT STARTED. Lots of white smoke and sounded half diesel but ran. Settled down to a comfortable idle no problem (though a bit 'tappety'). Moved it out of the garage onto the drive and let it warm up until there was some temp on the gauge.
Shut her down feeling pretty pleased and tried to restart.......oh dear, back to square one. Haven't tried to repeat from cold again as I assume I'll achieve the same results.
After I'd run the car I used the wire and LED diagostic check - no problems in it's memory which is a bit frustrating.....
So, I guess having started it rules out a couple of things; fuel, fuel pump, CAS?, Coil pack? - but I'm wondering if it could be the Air metre unit?
Feels like there's a light at the end of the tunnel now - any ideas guys?
Cheers
Maser 4200
Hi
Thanks for the suggestion - I have ordered a CAS and oil seal. Do I need to take the CAM covers off to do the job? - looks like I'll need monkey fingers....any suggestions to avoid injury or achieve the job without raisng my blood pressure would be appreciated. Fingers crossed!
Cheers
Geoff
Thanks for the suggestion - I have ordered a CAS and oil seal. Do I need to take the CAM covers off to do the job? - looks like I'll need monkey fingers....any suggestions to avoid injury or achieve the job without raisng my blood pressure would be appreciated. Fingers crossed!
Cheers
Geoff
Hi Guys
Well, CAS replaced (second hand tested unit) - enjoyed that little job - not as bad as it looked. Got everything back together- lined up carefully with the position of the old CAS so should be within a knats nut of where it needs to be.....and same deal. Turns over like a champ but won't fire. (One thought - you can't install the CAS wrong can you? - I assume the tang that fits into the slot on the cam only goes in one way?)
Pulled the no.1 plug - it's dry....Before anyone asks - yes there's plenty of fuel in the car.
Air metre unit?
Any other ideas/thoughts?
Cheers All
Maser 4200
Well, CAS replaced (second hand tested unit) - enjoyed that little job - not as bad as it looked. Got everything back together- lined up carefully with the position of the old CAS so should be within a knats nut of where it needs to be.....and same deal. Turns over like a champ but won't fire. (One thought - you can't install the CAS wrong can you? - I assume the tang that fits into the slot on the cam only goes in one way?)
Pulled the no.1 plug - it's dry....Before anyone asks - yes there's plenty of fuel in the car.
Air metre unit?
Any other ideas/thoughts?
Cheers All
Maser 4200
Spent another hour on the problem this afternoon - the postman arrived with my new timing gun (poor!) and a new set of leads - bought them 'just on the off chance'. Put the new leads on and it started first time!!!! Wow, do I feel foolish.....the leads on the car looked new - and I haven't done more than 5,000 miles since I've had the car so didn't suspect them.
Got things up to temp and set the timing with my new timing gun that gave intermittent light but just about enough to get things 'in the zone'. Will check it again with a better one. Starts cold, warm and hot now. We are both very happy!! Can't wait for some sunshine - top down, and cheesy grins all 'round!
Thanks for the advice all.
Cheers
Maser4200
Got things up to temp and set the timing with my new timing gun that gave intermittent light but just about enough to get things 'in the zone'. Will check it again with a better one. Starts cold, warm and hot now. We are both very happy!! Can't wait for some sunshine - top down, and cheesy grins all 'round!
Thanks for the advice all.
Cheers
Maser4200
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