Essex v6 starting probs

[slideways]

Hi All
i have a ford essex 3.0l v6 in a boat that im having real troubles starting.
i had it started last year no problems but it wont even try and fire now.
ive replaced plugs leads points condensor coil, theres fuel to the plugs a spark at the plugs albeit an orange not blue spark, ive tried easy start with no joy.
any thoughts welcome
slideways

[slideways]

bump!
can any one help?

[nervous]

clicking on turning the key, or nothing at all?

[Frederick]

battery?

[slideways]

sorry should have said engine turns over strongly on the starter motor the spark is orange not blue

[nervous]

and your sure you have fuel pressure? I had a scimitar with an Essex V6 and the fuel pump was a constant headache.

I cant recall what would cause an orange spark, but off the top of my head, it sounds not right. I hope thats not too technical

did you do the coil already? i cant flick back now Ive started writing this.

[nervous]

ah, right. you did.

at a guess, I would say that an orange spark is a weaker spark. that's a massive guess though, based on really bright light filaments burning white and low light filaments burning orange. this may or may not be totally wrong.

[Oldandslow]

It's in a boat? How good is the earth return strap to the battery from the engine block?

[slideways]

all wiring is new and started after it was fitted the only thing that has changed since is plugs, leads points condensor coil all of with have been checked for correct gaps and connection,also stripped the carb down and checked all jets and emulsion tubes all were clean fuel pressure is good fuel is getting to the plugs too??

Edited by slideways on Thursday 4th September 23:14

[Oldandslow]

The wiring was new last year. Any possibility of corroded terminals? Especially if it's been near salt water. I've had a dodgy earth strap on a car, fitted a new one after wire brushing the surface it bolted onto and no problem after.

[slideways]

it hasnt been in the water since rewiring all the connections look good i greased them when fitting
i also ran a bypass live from starter to coil to give a boost when startting but no joy

[Oldandslow]

Bugger, I'm stumped then.

[roofer]

How old is the fuel?

[slideways]

i thought about this its about 6month old but it works well in a lawn mower my car and a scooter my concern at the moment is why the spark is only orange? with a strong battery,
every thing is there but it just wont fire it wont even try???

[hal-finch]

I would seriously think about getting rid of the mechanical points as an aside.

[Ordinary Bloke]

You need a blue spark. The gap is not so critical, and if you haven't got a decent spark the fueling is almost irrelevant.

Are you sure you have the right coil fitted? Is the battery voltage 12-13.8V?

If you remove a plug and connect the body of it to the engine, take the live supply to the coil and short it to the battery +ve, you should see a blue spark. If not, either the coil negative is not earthed, or the engine is not earthed.

I'm sure once you have a blue spark, everything else will fall into place.

[Zad]

Might it be flooding quickly? Then again I suppose if the spark is weak it would. Do these engines use a ballast on the LT site od the coil?

[Ribol]

If the engine is cranking strongly then you would have to assume it has a good earth.

It sounds like you have changed some of the igntion parts, what about a faulty rotor arm/cap/centre brush?

Have you had a good look at the LT side of things eg base plate earth, LT lead itself?

Have you used the right points gap Motorcraft v Bosch?

Is timing about right - would still start if a bit out.

[pookie T5]

Start from basics. Make sure that the engine block has a good earth through a proper earth lead to the battery. Test the quality of the spark on the king lead coming out of the coil. Until you get a good spark here you won't get one anywhere else. Make sure firing order is correct 1-4-2-5-3-6. When a good spark is coming out of the coil,replace the king lead in the dizzy cap and you should have a good spark at the plugs. If not check the little carbon button inside the dizzy cap is still there.
Unleaded fuel does not store well, fill the carb float chamber with fresh fuel. Let@s know how you get on.

Pookie

[slideways]

thanks will do