Running woes

[SGregg]

After having initial issues getting my VTS to start due to the little yellow plug being missing from the fuse box in the engine I finally got the car fired up today!

However, I'm still having issues, the car will tick over quite happily, but when I load the engine by moving forward, it cuts out and then won't re-start (fuel level is sufficient for the light not to be on.)

If I remove the vacuum pipe from the brake servo (I'm sure this isn't related to the issue,) and leave the car for a short while it will start again, but will cut out when trying to drive the car.

I have removed the charcoal cannister from the wing, the pipe to it from the tank is currently venting to atmosphere, and the inlet on the inlet manifold is currently blocked up (have also had the issue with it unblocked)

Any ideas?
I'm going to try swapping the injectors tomorrow to see if that makes any difference.

[stevo67]

If you have a spare coil pack then try swapping it over.

[SGregg]

would it start it tick over with a dodgy coil pack?

[blackie_2k5]

if you try to start it with the brake servo vac pipe off it should start and rev its nuts off tbh

so youve got a fueling or air issue somewhere.. easiest place to start is pulling the inlet and TB off and check/clean for anything obvious..

could also be a leaky injector dumping fuel rail and flooding the engine, but start with the easy stuff first..

does it not fire up if you keep the starter going and blip the throttle?

[SGregg]

does it not fire up if you keep the starter going and blip the throttle?

No, it's as if it needs to cool / settle down before it will fire again.

I have a spare set of injectors and a spare T/B so will try that and make sure everything looks clean and connected at the same time.

[stevo67]

would it start it tick over with a dodgy coil pack?

In a word yes.:y:

[SGregg]

It is now struggling to start full stop, but will turn over.

Took the injectors out and ran them on a piece of wood, all four are spraying, so looks like fuel is coming through OK.

Could a fault FPR cause the issue? The fuel pump does seem to prime for quite a while most times.

Swapped the coil pack, throttle body and crank sensors to see if that helped. Nothing, although I can't guarantee the replacements are working properly either. I did manage to vet it started though, ticked over happily until I moved it, and it cut out again and then wouldn't start ��

[SGregg]

if you try to start it with the brake servo vac pipe off it should start and rev its nuts TBH

Sorry, meant releasing the vacuum, then plugging the pipe back in before restarting. I haven't as yet tried to start it with the vacuum pipe off

[SGregg]

Further update.

Swapped the injectors and fuel rail with a spare one I have, the fuel rail / line was full of fuel, so at least there is no blockage to to the injectors.

I managed to get the car started again, left it to idle, gave it a few revs and thought I'd load the engine without moving it.

Handbrake on, in gear, give it some revs clutch bite, didn't stall, tried a couple more times, all fine, drove it 10 yards ... stalled! Wouldn't re-start.

Did find out I had an air lock in the water system, so bled this, and will continue to monitor.

Going to try a brand new coil pack to eliminate the two that I've got being faulty or not.

[SGregg]

Had the car on a Snap-On Diagnostic machine the other day, which highlighted RPM speed sensor. Replaced the Crank Sensor (on operators recommendation) the car started second turn, drove forwards, backwards, forwards and then cut out and wouldn't restart.

Tomorrow I shall check the continuity between the ECU plug and crank sensor plug, but has anybody got any other ideas?

[SGregg]

Just to close this down, it turned out to be the fuel pump. Swapped out with my mates VTR pump, it started first turn and drove happily off down the lane and back. We let it tick over for a short while then drove it down the lane and back again.

New Walbro fuel pump ordered! = Happy Simon