Mk1 engine problem.

[Liam:]

I am having a slight problem with my mk1 as it keeps cutting out and not starting. Tonight I drove it to the petrol station after filling up it wouldn't start, not the battery as I have just change it. I pushed out the way and then about 3 or so minutes later it started.
It then stalled on the road but started itself back up, but 2 seconds later stalled, this was going up a slight hill in a gear a bit high. So again I had to push it, it then started a while later.

I have done a search and I have a feeling it maybe the spark plugs, but how can I test this? Could it be fuel not getting to the engine? Fuel pump? How do I test this?

Oh and when I first start it up it is fine. I also have a plastic bag that has melted itself to the cat and part of the exhaust, gives off a lovely smell, don't know if this would affect the problem?

Any help appreciated, cheers.

 

[Rob.]

I am having a slight problem with my mk1 as it keeps cutting out and not starting. Tonight I drove it to the petrol station after filling up it wouldn't start, not the battery as I have just change it. I pushed out the way and then about 3 or so minutes later it started.
It then stalled on the road but started itself back up, but 2 seconds later stalled, this was going up a slight hill in a gear a bit high. So again I had to push it, it then started a while later.

I have done a search and I have a feeling it maybe the spark plugs, but how can I test this? Could it be fuel not getting to the engine? Fuel pump? How do I test this?

Oh and when I first start it up it is fine. I also have a plastic bag that has melted itself to the cat and part of the exhaust, gives off a lovely smell, don't know if this would affect the problem?

Any help appreciated, cheers.

Check spark plugs. Remove them from there housing Making sure the outer metal case of the spark plug is earthed get some one to turn the engine over. you will see a spark

Check fuel pump. has to be done one of the times the car wont start. when it wont start put your head near the rear seat (under it is the fuel pump) and get some one to turn the ignition on you should hear the pump come on. ( you could even lift the rear seat up to make it easier )

Better way of checking the fuel pump but a bit harder is to find where it joins the throttle body and just disconnect the "input" fuel line and see if fuel comes out of it when you turn the ignition on

Does the car lose power or do the lights still work ??.
if it doesn't lose power does the engine try to turn over??

 

[Liam:]

Ok cheers, when you say earth do you mean just pressing the plug against the metal of the car?

 

[Liam:]

The thing is, it is as though something resets itself after a couple of minutes and it is able to work, does anyone no what would cause this?

 

[Liam:]

Also idling is very iratic I can't tell you what its doing as I don't have a rev meter but you can hear it going up and down. Could this be the throttle body? Do I need to give it a clean? How do I do this?

cheers.

 

[SBV116]

Inlet manifold gasket! Pretty common on that era!

 

[Liam:]

Huh? Sorry but what do you mean do I need to replace it? Would this cause it to work after a couple of minutes?

 

[mini-valver]

It'll cause the car to take in more air than it needs (The throttle body should be the ONLY point in which the engine can draw in air, fuel is then put in to match the amount of air being taken in. The ECU does this via TPS) which will make it stall as the ECU has no way of metering that extra air that's being taken in.

 

[Liam:]

Ok I understand, would the ecu then reset itself? Cause why would it then work after a while and every time when first starting it up?
The problem first started when I ran out of fuel, could this have clogged the fuel filter?

thanks a lot for all the help.

 

[mini-valver]

IF it's an inlet manifold leak, it'll restart after a while because the ECU wont have stored any faults, just cant deal with the extra air.

Go to the car and start it, check if there's any hissing from around the head where the manifold bolts onto.

 

[Liam:]

Ok there is a slight hissing but I am unsure if that is just what it does normally. According to my manual there is a compression problem spark plugs, air leak e.t.c. Matches what you have been saying, say if there is a leak, how much am I looking at to get it fixed?

thanks a lot for all the help.

 

[mini-valver]

About £3 for a gasket, lol. Change it yourself mate, really easy!

 

[Liam:]

Ohh I was expecting a couple of 0's on the end of that, before I do get it changed how do I check the spark plugs? As the previous answer was a bit vague.

 

[rob hope]

remove all the spark plugs, then connect 1 at a time to its HT lead then use the top ov the engine as an earth and get sum1 to turn the engine over u shuld get a spark then do this with the others. hope that helps

 

[Mark One]

don't spark yourself with a HT lead. Really hurts.

Inlet manifold gasket sounds a good place to start to me.

 

[rob hope]

yea u got to watch for that but its funny to watch tho haha a take it you got a spark off all the plugs?!

 

[Liam:]

Being only 17 and lacking a dad this weekend, I am just going to take it to a garage next weekend and see what they think, I don't want to make it worse so I will just leave it.

Thanks all, for your help.

 

[rob hope]

thats always a good idea if ur not sure bout wat ur doin. hope you get it sorted

 

[Liam:]

It was a camshaft sensor, cost £80 to fix and is now running fine.

Thanks all for the help.