Starting problems-Got Spark and fuel?

[no_8wire]

I am currently having problems starting my car.

It turns over with no problem, however it wont start.
I have checked its getting fuel by removing the fuel return, plenty of fuel.
Checked it was getting spark by removing a lead, and placing a spare plug in.
Battery level was low so tried another battery but no success.
Dizzy is still tight, and I havent knocked it.

Running a link ecu.

Any ideas of what I should check next?

[Burning Angel]

What sort of link is it?
if its a g3 you can run some simple tests to ensure everything is in order.

Also just because fuel is getting to the fuel rail doesnt mean that the injectors are firing.

Another thing to check is that the timing is set right on the link. if its not then the plugs could be firing on the wrong stroke(ie exhaust not intake) or too early or late.

[no_8wire]

link is a V5.

Working fine before I put it in the garage to fix an oil line to the turbo.
However no it wont start.

[Burning Angel]

The links obviously getting power and trigger signals if there is a spark so youd need to determine why/if the injectors aren't firing.

its always frustrating when you change something simple and the whole lot stops working.

the only thing you can do is work through with a multimeter(or test light etc) and eliminate all the possibilitys until you find the problem.

[fangsport]

got earth?

[flygt4]

is it turning over and coughing/spluttering?
or is it only turning over and nothing?

when my dizzy failed it was triggering inconsistently. it would only spark 1 in 4 times or whatever , you could hear it splutter when it got the random spark though.

also if you have bigger injectors they are very easy to flood if they arent starting, so if its turning over, firing but not catching it might be that. took me ages to get mine started.

when mine wouldnt start i tested my fuelling to check it was ok, and then got hold of spare ignition components that i knew worked and replaced things one by one.
eventually found the problem and then had flat fuel and a flooded engine to deal with.

definately check all the earths too, especially ignitor and coil. this made the spark a lot stronger on mine.

[no_8wire]

got earth?

I re-earthed the engine earth, but will check all the others.
Turning over, sometimes sounds as if its going to start (coughs etc)
However has spark fire is consistent.

I might try the earth again/ check the injectors.

[flygt4]

pretty obvious but tried fresh fuel?

when trying to get mine going we emptied a can of ether/engine start directly into the intake, and it would fire up and run on that alone for a few seconds, indicating the fuel or fuelling was the issue.
if that doesnt work then nothing will.
at the least it might confirm that the ignition and timing is about right , and you can start testing through fuel pressure and injectors etc.

(i'm a very trial and error sort of person)

[no_8wire]

nope havent tried that. But it was only in the garage for a week...and it drove in fine.

Will get back on what works

[pc]

Try and start it for a bit, then stop and pull a spark plug out. Should be able to smell if fuel is making it to the cylinder... can also check injectors are firing by holding a screwdriver on the injector and your ear on the other end.

Probably knocked a wire while working on it... so retrace all the work you did during the week and look for anything you forgot to reconnect etc.

[no_8wire]

Is it possible to have an airlock in the fuel line?

Doing the screwdriver thing you can hear the injectors ticking away, however when you first go to crank it you hear a sound almost like waterpipes in a building I assume coming from the fuel line.


I have gotten fresh fuel for it too.

Retraced all work and everything that I can see is in order.

This is quite puzzling.

[Bazda]

try squirting some brake cleaner into the inlet plenum see if it fires up then.

[no_8wire]

cheers...

[Bazda]

cheers...

if it starts then u have a fuelling issue.

But i really think its electrical

[gmacrae]

Sounds exactly like what my silvertop was doing. Turned out it was a stuffed coil. Would spark when you pull a plug out and sit it on the head but couldnt spark under compression - try another coil

[flygt4]

try squirting some brake cleaner into the inlet plenum see if it fires up then.

if the timings out and you put too much in then it will likely spit some back out the intake in a fireball

[no_8wire]

mmm still havent sorted this.

Put another earth to the block to body (as this was the only wire I moved)
Sounded a little better but still no start.

Checked the cam timing that was all good.
I am smelling the fuel etc when cranking over.

Try new plugs and see if that helps.

[gmacrae]

and you havent replaced the coil and ignitor i take it?

[no_8wire]

Its in the post at the moment. Just waiting for it to arrive

[no_8wire]

Turns out it was the plugs...