1.9 MI16 Starting Issues

[001ben 0]

I bought a non running 205 mi16 a couple of months ago that had undergone a replacement head gasket . The engine had apparently been running after this change and then stopped due to a suspected starter motor.

 

There were a few issues mainly fuel pump and the starter motor.

 

The car strangely still has a head gasket issue however I would like to start it before I strip it down to repair but it just wont start!.- currently has no coolant but fresh oil.

 

It sounds like it's right on the edge of starting. It has fuel at 43psi, spark and the engine compression is 210psi across all 4 cylinders, I have checked the timing on the front (cams and camshaft) and that seems correct as well. The airbox is gargling and there is also fuel in the oil.

 

I've taken the valve cover off and want to check that the lobes are correct when the engine is at TDC?  See pic 

 

If this is right,can anyone think of any other reasons it wont start? 

[welshpug 1,712]

if the pins fit then it is timed correctly

 

do the pins fit?

 

if the picture is the current state of the engine I would have serious doubts of the workmanship,  it looks shagged!!

[001ben 0]

46 minutes ago, welshpug said:

if the pins fit then it is timed correctly

 

do the pins fit?

 

if the picture is the current state of the engine I would have serious doubts of the workmanship,  it looks shagged!!

Yep - the pins fit.

 

I agree, it looks horrific. I was hoping to at least get it running to confirm it all works before I start stripping the car down for a rebuild (not just the engine) . I can buy another engine but I am concerned there is something else causing the non start that I have overlooked.

[petert 630]

210 is perfect, meaning it’s built and timed correctly. Spray in some “Start You Bastard” to eliminate fuel supply.

[001ben 0]

I tried easystart but that didn't start it.

[SRDT 228]

Start Ya Bastard is the real name of the Aussie stuff, because of course it is 

Easystart is made by Holts like the start pilot / start pilote that we have here so I assume it's the good stuff, the cheap off brand spray usually doesn't work that well.

 

Maybe there is a problem on the ignition side.

[001ben 0]

Yeah that's the stuff, It was in the early days that I tried using easy start so worth another shot but as I have fuel in the oil I suspect that it will be ok.

 

I was thinking more along timing or spark however I have spark across all 4 HT leads when testing the spark plugs outside of the engine.

 

The engine does have new spark plugs, HT leads, distributor and a coil. 

 

#frustrating! 

[PhilNW 63]

Plug leads in the right order?

EDIT

When you say stopped due to faulty starter, was it running at the time or just would not re start? 

EDIT2

What is the current issue with the  head gasket?

 

Edited January 22 by PhilNW

[SRDT 228]

Is there a lot of fuel in the oil? If you flood the cylinders the engine won't start.

You could remove the fuel pump fuse (F14) and try again with the easystart spray.

[001ben 0]

7 hours ago, PhilNW said:

Plug leads in the right order?

EDIT

When you say stopped due to faulty starter, was it running at the time or just would not re start? 

EDIT2

What is the current issue with the  head gasket?

 

Yes 1,3,4,2 from.the flywheel end . 

 

I think the previous owner destroyed the starter trying to start it.

 

It looks like coolant is entering the engine so maybe they didn't fix it correctly.

[001ben 0]

1 hour ago, SRDT said:

Is there a lot of fuel in the oil? If you flood the cylinders the engine won't start.

You could remove the fuel pump fuse (F14) and try again with the easystart spray.

I will give this a try tomorrow when I put the valve cover back on. 

 

[001ben 0]

I put it all back together and it started first time, HT leads were 180 degrees out of phase .. strange as I'm sure that I confirmed this!  Thanks all for your suggestions. Now to find out why the engine has coolant in it as it has a new headgasket!

[PhilNW 63]

Good news, I had a similar problem years ago as got just 2 leads wrong on the dist cap, boy did it run rough, unburnt petrol smells , huge amount of fumes...took a while to spot it .

 

Have fun with the rest.

 

Hopefully there is a simple solution to the head gasket that does not require a strip down, keep the forum informed ..

[SRDT 228]

Is the stock oil to water heat exchanger still there? They can leak in funny ways.

[001ben 0]

6 hours ago, SRDT said:

Is the stock oil to water heat exchanger still there? They can leak in funny ways.

Nope, I have checked but a good shout. I've ordered some new coolant and will refill tomorrow and see how it goes. I had to replace the heater matrix as that was leaking as well