Ford Escort XR3 1982 near impossible to start
Discussion
Hi, I wonder if anyone can shed any light on my problem.
The Ford will not start without a LOT of carry on. Once going it usually starts on one then two then all cylinders.
between 0 and 2000 RPM it misses a lot.
over 2000 rpm it is perfect.
if you then turn it off it is even more difficult to start.
Eventually it just pops and bangs from the carb. and wont start.
I had a video but can only upload on my phone, and 64Mb takes AGES.
The Ford will not start without a LOT of carry on. Once going it usually starts on one then two then all cylinders.
between 0 and 2000 RPM it misses a lot.
over 2000 rpm it is perfect.
if you then turn it off it is even more difficult to start.
Eventually it just pops and bangs from the carb. and wont start.
I had a video but can only upload on my phone, and 64Mb takes AGES.
This happened a week after fitting some new Bosch super something plugs with 4 electrodes instead of the one. They needed changing as were 3 years old, this made the car drive like new again, I was well impressed. Don't know if it is coincidence that a week or so later I'm having issues.
Is the tank/fuel lines full of rust, my thirst thought is fuel starvation, second is something breaking down on the ignition side.
I would try a new set up plugs, dizzy cap, rotor arm. Also, not sure if appropriate but when our Fiat 500 did something similar it was valve clearance but I wouldnt think its that.
I would try a new set up plugs, dizzy cap, rotor arm. Also, not sure if appropriate but when our Fiat 500 did something similar it was valve clearance but I wouldnt think its that.
I had a small engine fire in Jan... the petrol pipe came off the filter, petrol accumulated in the lip of the rocker cover, and subsequently burned off. Lucky me still having an XR3 eh? Well the only visible damage was the paint on the rocker cover, no damage to bonnet or any fuel lines etc.
Once started the car will idle and I drove it round the carpark, to my garage to put air in the tyre, turned it off whilst doing so and that was the last time it ran today.
I was intending taking it up the road, I thought it may just need a run out.
Once started the car will idle and I drove it round the carpark, to my garage to put air in the tyre, turned it off whilst doing so and that was the last time it ran today.
I was intending taking it up the road, I thought it may just need a run out.
So news..... I went up the scrapyard and got a replacement ignition module. Once fitted the car fired straight up. I turned it off, and with a little press of the go pedal it went. I turned it off and repeated a few times. Happy that it was fixed I drove to the garage to put some air in the tyres, about 1.5 miles away. It performed perfectly the whole way. I was happy. I turned it off pumped the tyres up and had a chat to a mate about the car, who was getting fuel about how it has been off the road 3 months and now is fixed and how HAPPY I was. I laughed and said watch it not go..........
The f
king car just turned over and over before a huge bang out of the carb.
Repeat and same thing until the battery finally died. It is still up there now.
The f
king car just turned over and over before a huge bang out of the carb.Repeat and same thing until the battery finally died. It is still up there now.
Could be worth obtaining a timing light to see what's going on. Does it still have points at that age, or had they changed over to electronic ignition?
ETA: Just re-read your original post. Sounds like fitting a new condenser might be worth a try.
ETA: Just re-read your original post. Sounds like fitting a new condenser might be worth a try.
Edited by Eggman on Saturday 17th March 19:15
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