Save Clio From Scrap Heap (Not Starting)

[olie93]

Hi,

I have a Clio Mk2 1999 1.4 8v clio. i was driving it down the road and it suddenly stopped. Tried to restart it and it would idle at 800rpm and if i took my foot of the accelerator would just stall. Fiddled around with the ICV sensor and it ran fine ONCE. After this it hasn't started at all. I have done the following:

• ICV Sensor replaced
• Engine temperature sensor replaced
• Earth Strap checked.
• TDC sensor cleaned
• Immobilizer working as should
• Checked injectors
• Check fuel pump & lines
• Check spark plugs for spark
• Replaced coils
• Checked timing belt

Anyone got any ideas before i just sell the bloody thing as scrap? The car will turn over.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Harbinger]

Gasket gone? maybe locking up. if it died whilst driving I'd rule out idle valve issues.

 

[olie93]

Would that stop the thing from starting?

 

[Harbinger]

If it's gone into Hydraulic lock ( water entering the chambers etc ) then yes and realistically the engine is gone.

is there water in the bottle or when you open the oil filler cap is there any crap over the cams at all?

Before it died did it get hot?

 

[olie93]

Yer it went after being turned on for about 1-2 minutes. The cams dont look any different than normal. What do you mean by water in the bottle?

 

[Chrisgti6]

I think he's referrring to the expansion bottle for your coolant. Is the coolant level normal?

 

[olie93]

Yer the levels normal. BTW the engine was probably cold when it went. My mistake above

 

[Harbinger]

And both belts are intact? does the car makes any funny noises when turning or normal.

 

[olie93]

It sounds normal from what i remember normal to be like. Sometimes it sounds like it wants to start but hasn't go enough umph to go.

 

[Chrisgti6]

Hmm, odd.

You sound as though you have checked most of the things people would suggest. You appear to have a spark, fuel and air so it SHOULD run....? I've got no ideas i'm afraid.

 

[olie93]

and yes both timing belt and starter belt are intact and turn when cranking the engine

 

[Harbinger]

What the batter voltage at? put your ear to the Alternator when someone else tries to start it might Hiss or Grind on you.

 

[olie93]

its at 12v. i have had it hooked up to my polos battery with jump leads as well. If the alternator was knackered would it stop it from starting or would it just not recharge the battery?

 

[Harbinger]

Yes it would, give it a go and see if it makes a noise, if there isn't enough power to start it then could be it.

Also the fuel pump is priming when the ignition goes on? the whiney noise? if you cant hear anything take the injectors off and turn the ignition and see if it sprays.

 

[olie93]

I've checked the pump and its working fine. I've also checked that fuel is getting to the injectors and I've also had the injectors out and they were spraying fuel fine.

Would the alternator make a difference to starting even if it was starting from the battery on my polo which is fine?

 

[Harbinger]

Yes it will, If it's gone then the car will not start.

 

[olie93]

Is there anyway to test to see if its dead with a multimeter, before i go and buy a new one? or is it only by listening for a noise

 

[Harbinger]

Check for a noise first, and not really as it could be worn bearings, you can get them repaired for £50 or so, might as well go to a breaker and chop one off for more or less the same cost.

 

[olie93]

Would it be worth swapping the battery for a fully charged battery and see if it starts before replacing the alternator?

 

[Chi]

Call the RAC out they will check both

 

[olie93]

I called the RAC when it broke down. The said that they thought it was the timing belt, but ive looked at the timing belt and all looks good.

 

[Harbinger]

If it's timing belt the cams wont turn, it wont turn at all it's just make a whining noise all day long. and when they go they just..................go, you'll never have started it again after even for a few seconds.

 

[olie93]

I don't know if this helps but every time i try and start it after it has been sat for over 5 minutes it get a massive bang. It has enough power to blow the circular air filter out of the box when it hasn't got the lid on. It will only do this once though and after that it will just turn over normally until i leave it sitting again.

 

[Harbinger]

Ummmmmm Yes a bang is bad, can you video it all happening and post it?

 

[olie93]

excuse the video being rubbish but you'll get the general idea. It was only a small bang this time but sometimes its huge to the extent that the air filter has flown across the drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQkNs8ACDPQ&feature=youtu.be
​
Had the injectors out earlier to test them and there was a massive bang which managed to set light to the kitchen towels the injector was spraying fuel on.

 

[Harbinger]

I have no idea what's causing that, Will be best to take the plunge and get someone to look at it mate, might not be something expensive as can all be had 2nd hand.

 

[The Fatty]

I've checked the pump and its working fine. I've also checked that fuel is getting to the injectors and I've also had the injectors out and they were spraying fuel fine.

Would the alternator make a difference to starting even if it was starting from the battery on my polo which is fine?

Yes it will, If it's gone then the car will not start.

That's not true at all. So longs there is enough power in the battery, the car will start and run just fine.

 

[The Fatty]

excuse the video being rubbish but you'll get the general idea. It was only a small bang this time but sometimes its huge to the extent that the air filter has flown across the drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQkNs8ACDPQ&feature=youtu.be
​
Had the injectors out earlier to test them and there was a massive bang which managed to set light to the kitchen towels the injector was spraying fuel on.

If its blowing air out of the inlet, then the timing is probably wrong, as it would mean the piston is compressing when the inlet is being opened. check the timing next if I were you.

 

[plymcl172]

Without sounding harsh, what's the car really worth? A couple 100? I would cut my loses and scrap it if its going to cost more than £100ish

 

[Chrisgti6]

Yup, sounds timing related. I had something like that on an old 1.0 micra that I managed to time up 180 degrees out.

Maybe the belts slipped or something causing the timing to be out?