Non Starting 1.6 Gti Phase 1.5

[Guest rallycross205]

Help!

 

I bought a non running 1.6 GTi a while ago with the intention of getting her running and prepping to rallycross stock hatch spec. It's now been several months of trying to get her running (Buying new or known working parts as replacements), but she still just turns over, not wanting to start.

 

I have checked the voltage going to the fuel pump (10.5 volts), the voltage going to the injectors (10.5 volts) and the spark plugs are firing (I have checked this with a spark plug / lead tester).

 

When the engine turns over the car seems like it wants to start (The only way to describe the sound of it when its trying to start is like a 'chugging' sound), but then it doesn't!

 

I have replaced the ignition module, ht coil, dizzy cap, rotor arm, ht leads. I have checked the operation of the AFM using the procedure thats on this website and that seems to be ok.

 

I will own up to cutting a few wires out (Extreme weight saving and ease of working on when a problem occurs, much like now really!) but am convinced i have only removed the wiring for the lights, heater, etc. I have not touched the engine wiring loom.

 

I have searched long and hard on here to identify the problem but nothing seems to have worked. Any ideas?

 

Chris

[matty_gti 20]

Have you done a compression test?, and is fuel actually getting through to the injectors?.

[Guest rallycross205]

Nope and not sure! However shortly after i got the car, my brother in law got the car started for a short while (30 seconds) then it cut out. but since then, no joy!

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

Check that its actually firing the injectors first, take the rail out and turn it over to see if its fueling.

[Guest rallycross205]

I'll do that when i get back home (Currently offshore!)

[Guest rallycross205]

If the fuel injectors aren't firing, what could the problem be?

 

Like i said before, i'm getting 10.5 volts to one side of the injectors. Am i right in thinking the other wire going to the injectors is some sort of earth / negative?

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

It is an earth yes. Not exactly sure as wiring is black magic to me but double check your earths. Could be blocked injectors/faulty although not sure on the changes of that. Could be a f***ed fuel pump? Can you actualy hear it running?

[Guest rallycross205]

I can hear it 'hum' when starting (Or attempting to!) so i suspect it works ok.

[omega 82]

changed a engine in a escort rs once and had a similar proplem everything seemed to be working butnot starting, in the end tried a tow start and it fired up and ran left it running for 10mins then it started on the key

[Guest rallycross205]

At least i have another option!

[AndyJ 1]

I'll second compression test, after i did the head gasket on my mi16 and had it apart for a few days it refused to start, did my head in trying to find out what was wrong with it. I was convinced it couldnt be low compression cos it was fine beforehand...but i dropped some oil down each bore and it fired up straight away. Turns out where i had cleaned the bores a bit they had dried out enough to kill the compression, i imagine the same could happen if the car has been sitting for a while and not run.

Edited April 12, 2009 by AndyJ

[Guest rallycross205]

Well, like i said before, my bro-in-law managed to get the engine started and ran it for about 5 - 10 minutes until we noticed one of the fuel lines was leaking underneath the car. This was patched up temporarily and it still seemed to run, but i don't know what i have done since then to allow it not to start.

 

At least i have some more things to check when i get back home!

 

Thanks for the suggestions / help so far!

[matty_gti 20]

I would make sure the injectors are firing fuel. I had a similar problem on my TT and couldn’t think for the life of me what it was. One day it was fine and the next day, nothing. I then replaced everything from the fuel filter onwards, hoses, fuel rail, fuel pressure regulator and injectors. With all that done it started straight away first time every time.

[Guest rallycross205]

Well i have took the fuel line off, placed it in a bucket and turned the engine over and have found out that the fuel injectors are working.

 

So i have spark, fuel, air (Checked the AFM using the 'How to' guide on the forum!) and still no bang. I have talked to my bro about it and he said it'll be piston ring failure!

 

I have given up on this project now. Time for me to save up and buy a ready to race rallycross car!

[brian j 31]

Well i have took the fuel line off, placed it in a bucket and turned the engine over and have found out that the fuel injectors are working.

 

So i have spark, fuel, air (Checked the AFM using the 'How to' guide on the forum!) and still no bang. I have talked to my bro about it and he said it'll be piston ring failure!

 

I have given up on this project now. Time for me to save up and buy a ready to race rallycross car!

 

Do a search for overfuelling. Myself and a number of others have had this problem, where the injectors give so much fuel that the engine floods nigh on instantly. Normally either the AFM or the ECU Coolant temperature sensor (or the wiring to one of them) is at fault

[Guest rallycross205]

Do a search for overfuelling. Myself and a number of others have had this problem, where the injectors give so much fuel that the engine floods nigh on instantly. Normally either the AFM or the ECU Coolant temperature sensor (or the wiring to one of them) is at fault

 

I'll do that, but this is it's last chance!

[DamirGTI 327]

Prime fuel system manually and then try to start the engine (remove black plastic cover from the fuel pump relay and close relay contacts with your fingers in order to run the fuel pump and build up the pressure .. hold the contacts closed for a few seconds , let off and try to start the engine immediately..)

 

Damir

Edited May 14, 2009 by DamirGTI

[Guest rallycross205]

I'll try that when i get back from work too!

[Grim.Badger 15]

Prime fuel system manually and then try to start the engine (remove black plastic cover from the fuel pump relay and close relay contacts with your fingers in order to run the fuel pump and build up the pressure .. hold the contacts closed for a few seconds , let off and try to start the engine immediately..)

 

Damir

 

Or crank it over normally, then disconnect the electricity feed on the fuel pump and try; if it's overfueling it will (eventually) start and run for a second or two until it runs out of fuel

[johny105_y2k 1]

compression test. i wouldn't of spent a bean on any bits until i'd done one

[Guest rallycross205]

compression test. i wouldn't of spent a bean on any bits until i'd done one

 

You wouldn't have got many things for a bean anyway!

 

Thanks to all for your help!

[lfallgti 12]

if its getting fuel, which it is

 

a spark, which it is

 

and air? it has to fire,

 

sounds daft but is the fuel fresh. take the plugs out and pour a drop of fresh fuel in the bore, it has to fire.

[Guest rallycross205]

I put some fuel in the tank about 2 months ago, this gave it enough fuel to allow the needle to move. I think there should be about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.

[lfallgti 12]

I put some fuel in the tank about 2 months ago, this gave it enough fuel to allow the needle to move. I think there should be about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.

 

 

i read on a thread somewhere that fuel only lasts a few weeks.

 

just a suggestion. but i'd at least try some new fuel.

[DamirGTI 327]

True , if it has fuel , spark and compression it'll have to fire up ..

 

But , the fuel pressure might be way too low or the mixture might be too rich/lean , spark might be too weak or occurring at the wrong time (ie timing belt misalignment) etc...

 

Try with easy start spray that'll rule out fueling or spark problem = spray some fluid in the inlet tract (with the throttle butterfly fully open) and crank the engine -> if there's a spark , compression but not fuel present it'll start and run for a few seconds before dying .. if it doesn't start at all it has no spark ..

 

If i where you id repair first this pinched fuel line properly (could be loosing pressure there) and check if the cam timing is sound .

 

Damir