Help - Turns Over but won't start

[Zippee]

I've just been out to the garage and went to start my car, fuel pump primed and she started but immediately wouldn't hold revs and then cut out. Went to start again and she'd turn over fine and you could hear it trying to catch but wouldn't actually fire. The fuel pump does prime perfectly.
Any ideas what could cause this as unfortunately I don't have homestart on my breakdown policy.
I used her all weekend with no problems and she was fine when I put her away last night.

The fact that she'll turn over, catch etc. but won't fire sounds to me like a fuel problem, though being a mechanical numpty I can't confirm my theory - any ideas as to what may be the likely cause and how to fix it? Alternatively any nice kind mechanically minded PHers who are free at the weekend and within range of St Neots in Cambs? I make a mean cup of PG tips and can even throw in a choccy biscuit or 2.....

[Forthright MC]

Zippee said:

Alternatively any nice kind mechanically minded PHers who are free at the weekend and within range of St Neots in Cambs? I make a mean cup of PG tips and can even throw in a choccy biscuit or 2.....

i have a camera and within walking distance!...

hopefully it'll be a simple fix, i too noticed how well it was running/sounding over the weekend as well! - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Forthright MC on Monday 25th February 22:27

[MADMAX2]

Are they McVities plain or milk chocolate you have?

[Johno]

I'm happy to help if you get stuck, prefer ginger biscuits though

I'm in Bury but not miles away . .

[Zippee]

One thing they won't be is Tesco value - ginger nuts not a problem (biscuits that is).
Thanks ever so much for the offer of help - you'll find St Neots a pleasant run over from Bury as well if I can't fathom it out in the meantime I may well be in touch!!

Edited by Zippee on Monday 25th February 22:34

[mt10argyll]

Have you checked the fuel gauge
just in case

[Cider Andy]

These engines are very easy to flood. Try it again today. If it doesn't start try removing the fuel pump relay then turning it over. It may fire briefly. If it does, replace the relay and try again. If it still doesn't start, check the plugs are dry.

It's always worth keeping a dry clean set of plugs as they're not always usable once they've been flooded.

[Zippee]

mt10argyll said:

Have you checked the fuel gauge
just in case

Yup - 3/4 of a tank of V-Power. Filled up on Saturday and have done 85 miles over the weekend.
As stated she was absolutely fine when I put her away on Sunday night, went to start last night and she fired and died and then will only turn over trying to fire but never catching.
The battery is good (only a year old) and theres no hint of it not having enough power, fuel pump does prime as well.
I'll try again tonight in case it was flooded but I can't see how it would have done so.

[GreenV8S]

Pull one of the plugs and see whether it's wet or dry. That would give you a clue as to whether you're looking at a fuel or ignition fault.

[spend]

And if you end up changing the plugs, I would pull the fuel relay and crank it over to clean out the fuel before inserting the new plugs. RV8's do seem to start on the button or gas themselves to death - seems very little in-between

Its always worthwhile charging up the battery whilst you play with the plugs, IMHO - every little helps.

Dave

[thegman]

Zippee said:

mt10argyll said:

Have you checked the fuel gauge
just in case

Yup - 3/4 of a tank of V-Power. Filled up on Saturday and have done 85 miles over the weekend.
As stated she was absolutely fine when I put her away on Sunday night, went to start last night and she fired and died and then will only turn over trying to fire but never catching.
The battery is good (only a year old) and theres no hint of it not having enough power, fuel pump does prime as well.
I'll try again tonight in case it was flooded but I can't see how it would have done so.

Wouldn't count the fuel pump as evidence there is enough power (if that's what you mean). Remove your battery and test on a charger. This sounds the most likely culprit

[pja]

I've had this a couple of times when I've moved the car a very short distance (10foot or so) & then come back to it a day or two later

Like Cider Andy says if you pull the fuel pump relay out crank it over until it starts to fire, put the relay back & with your foot to the floor she should fire up!



p.s it might be worth checking you've got a spark first

[Zippee]

Thanks guys - I'll have a look at one of the plugs tonight (if I can find my plug spanner) and will try to push her out the garage on Thursday to get to the relay. Stupid question - but which relay is it? It's like a jungle in the footwell and not the easiest place to see into/access.

Also - I know the battery has been mentioned but she does turn over very strongly and I'm pretty certain is in decent condition.

[FlipFlopGriff]

If you leave it overnight the plugs may dry out depending uipon how bad they are/were.
Fuel pump relay is one of the silver shiney ones in the passenger footwell dandling on a long cable. Maybe worth swapping them over in case the fuel pump one is faulty, they do go very often and good to have a spare.
FFG

[Zippee]

Right - quick update! I just went out to try once more and low and behold the bugger decided to start first time. Though she did idle like a sack of very smelly poo and felt very lumpy. I shut her down and restarted and eventually got a smooth idle.
Does this sound consistent with the aftermath of a flooded engine?
Also how would it have flooded in the first place? I rarely use throttle when starting and don't recall doing anything that would load fuel when I put her away.... Just hoping theres not an underlying problem.
Thanks for everyones help so far!!

[rev-erend]

Some EMS system put an initial squirt of fuel into the engine when you hear the pump prime and before cranking..

Remember the AA trick of starting a car .. it never fails.

Turn the car over - foot flat to the floor for several seconds.

Then take your foot off the floor slowly - the car will then usually start.

Most EMS system have a setting that when crank revs = 0 and throttle is max actually put in no fuel and efectively push any unburnt fuel out..

It worked for my T350 ..

How embarrised was I ..