Any ideas

[shillers]

Problem starting Chim 5.0 - When you try start her it sounds like she is only firing on 1 or 2 cylinders and then gradully picks up on the others - after a lot of effort.

I have checked ignition, appears to be a good spark sraight from the coil, check the spark was getting to the cylinders - that was OK - New spark plugs, leads rotor arm dizzy cap so that lot should be OK. Air flow meter is Ok amd temp sensor is OK - I know there are others sensors but I cant believe that they would cause such a failer.

Fuel pump appears to be working and the pressure regs seam OK you can smell petrol from the exhaust to it implies fuel is getting there.

Can the ignition amplifier failer cause a weak spark ? The coil does give a yellow spark (with a crack) jumping about 1 inch

Any other ideas?

[GreenV8S]

Put a spark trace in series with the HT leads to confirm you're getting a strong spark while cranking. Might be worth removing the plug lead extenders to see if these are causing trouble.

Did this problem start gradually or suddenly? If it was sudden, what was changed/done on the car prior to it happening? Check that you have the right grade of plugs correctly gapped. NGK B7ECS are the recommended spec, don't remember the exact gap but it is around 1mm. Try starting the car at night, if you are getting a breakdown in the HT circuit you will oftem see the spark at night.

[shillers]

Thanks for your response - All the spark plugs, leads and extenders etc were changed as part of it service and to sort out a misfire on 1 of the cylinders - turned out to be a lead.
The car was perfect after that for a week then all of a sudden - it would not start. I have tried the night time test and it has the correct plugs - I will pursue the spark trace gadget ( never heard of that thing but it sounds a good idea). A weak spark was my line of thought, hence the ignition amplifier

cheers

Ian