still wont start

[martyn911]

New Coil. Spark at plugs. Petrol on plugs but wont start. Cleaned plugs tried again engine fires but wont start. It seems the engine is flooding. Any ideas out there? Is problem likely to be ignition amplifier? what does it do anyway? Or could it be fueling

Cheers Martyn

[Targarama]

If there is fuel left in the cylinders from the last failed start and you've piled some more in now it may just be flooded. Remove the 2 greyish metal relays from the loom above the battery (fuel pump and ECU). Then start the car. If this is the problem it will start and run for 2-3 seconds before cutting out (because it's just used the fuel in the cylinders and there's no more coming through). Turn off the ignition (easy to forget). Then reconnect relays and start the car.

If this does not work then you have something odd going on if you have a spark and petrol it should at least try to run (even if it's only backfiring a bit and stalling).

T/.

[GreenV8S]

martyn911 said:

Cleaned plugs tried again engine fires but wont start.

Is this as in fires occasionally but not enough to keep running? From what you've said it has flooded and fouled the plugs. Since it does it again with clean plugs either you have gross over fuelling, or an inadequate spark. Since you've checked the spark, it would make sense to look at the fuelling next. Is the vac line connected between the plenum and the fuel pressure regulator? If that's OK, it would be worth checking the fuel pressure if you have the equipment to do it. With warm plugs you should just about be able to get the engine to fire with no throttle, with the fuel pump disconnected, if everything else is OK. But it probably won't run and will die as soon as you open the throttle. But if you can get it to fire, briefly powering up the fuel pump will get you enough fuel to keep it going for a second or so. If you can get it going with some revs on, it would be bater able to cope with excess fuel, if that is the problem.

Has anything changed since the car was OK? Did this problem happen suddenly or was it a gradual thing?

[martyn911]

thanks for the suggestions. It happened after taking it out the garage a couple of times but not warmed up before putting it back. It started to run rough and firing not on all cylinders but thought if I took it for a run next time it would be ok. Again it started just but conked out at the end of the drive. then it would not even fire up. Changed the coil since it seemed likely to be problem but plugs are sparking so obviously not. Took all the plugs out, cleaned and dried then warmed, put them back and it fired a few times but not started. Will try taking relays out and doing plugs again (hands bashed enough for the day!)
I take it that its unlikely to be amplifier as it is sparking at plugs just not enough to burn the fuel already in their?

[Targarama]

Still sounds like a std flooding problem to me (but I'm no expert). You might get away with not drying the plugs, depends. Try it anyway.

[GreenV8S]

Unless you're completely familiar with plug cleaning and confident you are getting them good as new, I suggest you bin the plugs and fit new, warmed plugs. At this point you aren't after a quick fix, you want everything in your favour. I know you've checked the spark but also take the dizzy cap off, wipe the inside with dry paper, spray the HT leads with WD40 or other water dispersant, charge the battery, and cross everything. Oh, and check there is petrol in the tank. You wouldn't be the first!

[mongoose]

martyn,where do you live? im also in the southwest and we could meet if you want to swap over a few items(if yours is of a similar age,as some ignition items changed through production).i thought it might be worth mentioning that ive had similar symptoms-though not on a tvr-and it was the ignition module.it gave a spark which was wild and uncontroled,so the car would sometimes just run,but very erraticaly before just dying.

>> Edited by mongoose on Monday 7th February 11:03

[martyn911]

Cheers mongose. Just about to have a go with new plugs and suggestions. I am in Bridport Dorset how about you?
Interesting about the amplifier module which is my next starting point if I cannot get it going.

Cheers
Martyn

[martyn911]

Its going! Dried dizzy cap, turned it over with relays out. Put in new warm plugs. started immediately. It seems it was just flooded and I compounded the problem by not giving it a run or allowing it time to warm up before putting it back in the garage.

Thanks to all those who replied its great to have somebody to help when you need it.

Cheers
Martyn (happy again)

[martyn911]

Its going! Dried dizzy cap, turned it over with relays out. Put in new warm plugs. started immediately. It seems it was just flooded and I compounded the problem by not giving it a run or allowing it time to warm up before putting it back in the garage.

Thanks to all those who replied its great to have somebody to help when you need it.

Cheers
Martyn (happy again)

[TVR+Bubblecar]

You sound double pleased to have it back running