Help My S2 won't start

[aljen]

I had a blown exhaust manifold gasket that I replaced this morning and then stupidly I thought I would check the valve clearances and change the plugs (sounds simple). I removed the rocker covers checked the gaps all ok changed the plugs turned the key wouldn't start. The engine turns over ok but no go. I replaced the old plugs just in case still no go. Occasionally if I have left it for a bit it fires very briefly then nothing. Tried going through the Steve Heath manual but all sounds too complicated. I can only think I have dislodged something along the way but can't see anything. There is a spark on the plugs put a spare one on a lead and laid it against the engine. Fairly certain I have put leads on the right way if anyone can give me firing order could double check that. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Regards Aljen

[Barkychoc]

You may have flooded it by now which will mean the plugs are wet with fuel so even if everything else is tiptop it won't go.
Try taking one of your new plugs out to see if it is wet. If so you need a fair bit of heat to dry them out, I've gently used a blowlamp before but any source with plenty of heat will do.
When you restart try starting it with the accelerator on the floor to get as much air in there as possible to help dry the cylinders out.

[clarenceboddiger]

Did you take the Leads off the Distributor?
No 1 at closest to the Bulkhead then 4,2,5,3,6 going clockwise
Cylinders are numbered 123 from front to rear on left bank when engine viewed from the front and 456 from front to rear on the right bank.
Its simple but I managed to cock this up when I did mine and it was due to following something misleading in the haynes manual which I cant find at present.

Edited by clarenceboddiger on Saturday 29th August 08:31

[aljen]

Thanks for the input have checked all of the above still no go reading the Steve Heath manual I feel it is petrol related as I have spark. I disconnected the battery before doing the work and heard a click when I reconnected it, in the manual it mentions an inertia switch that can trip but i have hunted high and low without finding it. Also on the fault chart another possible is start valve not operating does anyone know where these 2 items are located. Cheers Aljen

[Loubaruch]

If the S2 is anything like an S3 you will have some multiway plug/sockets near the rocker covers. Check you have not disturbed these as if original they are notoriously unreliable. From memory they feed pulses to the injectors and connect sensors etc.

Best of luck.

[phillpot]

When you turn on the ignition (don't crank engine) do you get a few "clicks" from the fuel pump, which is down near the n/s/r wheel, as it builds up pressure in fuel system ?

If thats ok I'd go along with the "disturbed a multi-plug" somewhere theory !

Good luck

[aljen]

Hi Loubaruch I did put pressure on this plug I pulled it up out of the way and cable tied it I will look closely at that. Thanks Aljen

[aljen]

Hi Loubaruch you were spot on after reading your reply I hardly slept last night thinking about it I was in the garage at 7 this morning and she was running by 07.30. I can go to the Knebworth Classic Car show today now. Thanks again Aljen

[clarenceboddiger]

[Loubaruch]

Very pleased you found the problem. If you still have the original Ford plug/sockets well worth replacing them with waterproof ones. I know when I did this to my S3 many uneven running problems dissappeared.

[johnnywgk]

Love these threads, stuff like this is so usful, cheers for sharing.

I save a lot of this stuff as shortcuts, and put in "my tvr" folder.

Got loads now, just need to read them all (again) and name them.

No disrespect to any book, but boy you learn loads here. cheers.