P38A Hesitant starting

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
S

simoncant

Member
Posts
74
Location
Cotswolds
Hi all
Have just had my ECU done by Mark at Tornado and he had all the injectors for a clean. Whilst this was going on I replaced the coils as well-much simpler without the manifold on and got the horrible lacquer off said manifold as well.
It all went back in properly, without fuss or problems, and started well and the motor is running beautifully. However there is a slight hesitation of about 2 seconds before it catches and sometimes 3 or 4 seconds. Certainly does not feel like electrical-more like fuel. All HT's and plugs are new It has been suggested by.a friend that the fuel rail is not completely charged. There were no problems with the rail on assembly and that fuel pipe union under the coils was correctly clicked in-made sure of that as I don't want to go there again. No smell of fuel either.
Any thoughts?

Many thanks
Simon
 
simoncant said:
Hi all
Have just had my ECU done by Mark at Tornado and he had all the injectors for a clean. Whilst this was going on I replaced the coils as well-much simpler without the manifold on and got the horrible lacquer off said manifold as well.
It all went back in properly, without fuss or problems, and started well and the motor is running beautifully. However there is a slight hesitation of about 2 seconds before it catches and sometimes 3 or 4 seconds. Certainly does not feel like electrical-more like fuel. All HT's and plugs are new It has been suggested by.a friend that the fuel rail is not completely charged. There were no problems with the rail on assembly and that fuel pipe union under the coils was correctly clicked in-made sure of that as I don't want to go there again. No smell of fuel either.
Any thoughts?

Many thanks
Simon
Click to expand...

Any way you can measure the fuel pressure?
 
Not sure this is going quite the way I was expecting but its funny. I dont really want to have to take it all apart as you will well understand. The rail went back easily but should I have primed it or something when I reassembled. Is that though the only way I would be able to fix this problem or do I just live with it ? I have not contacted Mark as I did not think it was an ECU problem and as it runs perfectly. Should I? The only other factor would be those cleaned injectors but again I cannot see them as the problem.
Thoughts appreciated.
 
simoncant said:
Not sure this is going quite the way I was expecting but its funny. I dont really want to have to take it all apart as you will well understand. The rail went back easily but should I have primed it or something when I reassembled. Is that though the only way I would be able to fix this problem or do I just live with it ? I have not contacted Mark as I did not think it was an ECU problem and as it runs perfectly. Should I? The only other factor would be those cleaned injectors but again I cannot see them as the problem.
Thoughts appreciated.
Click to expand...

If it didn't do it before but did it after then what was touched?

Just reread your post. It only does it at startup and presumably after standing a while. So it sounds as if fuel is leaking somewhere and needs to pump fuel back up to the rail (or get enough pressure) to pop out the injectors. Might have nipped an o-ring?

I can understand not wanting to take it apart again but at the same time I wouldn't want fuel dribbling out onto, say, a hot exhaust manifold. No smell of fuel anywhere? Or poke an endoscope in there? You can buy a USB one off the bay for under £20.
 
No, no smell of fuel at all anywhere and was very careful with the injectors. The hesitating happens even when warm and on a quick restart. I have an endo so will have a look-good idea.
 
Thanks for replies chaps. Obviously I will have to 'get back in there' at some point to check this pressure but I guess its easier second time round. Still hard though. Maybe a squirting competition to ease the lock down blues!
 
simoncant said:
Thanks for replies chaps. Obviously I will have to 'get back in there' at some point to check this pressure but I guess its easier second time round. Still hard though. Maybe a squirting competition to ease the lock down blues!
Click to expand...

OK an update. I now know Britpart coils are not Bosch but Chinese (how come one never learns!) so I bought some Bosch ones. Took a deep breath and removed the manifold which unsurprisingly was much easier second time round. Replaced the coils and had a good mooch about checking all my work. Checked the fuel pressure and o rings etc and all was well. Reassembled but no measurable change in the starting... hesitancy gone when cold but still present when hot. Replaced the Potentiometer as its cheap enough and has to do a lot of work against strong spring pressure but still hesitant when hot. A friend sensibly pointed to the idle control as I was able to get round the hesitating by using a tad of throttle as in the old days. Bingo, one new Bosch unit (have learnt) and all is well. Not too grievous in the end and I certainly know my way round this engine now which cant be a bad thing and have the knowledge that all is now new......and German.
Thanks for your help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
4.4 tdv8 not starting
Replies
7
Views
2K
_ASH_
A
L
Sport Glow plug light
Replies
6
Views
596
lj5000
L
R
Freelander TD4 starting problems
Replies
5
Views
661
TAll13
T
B
3.5 efi ignition issue
Replies
12
Views
455
norseman
norseman
nevillen
Help! Stop Oil Engine Press!
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
yfo866
yfo866
Back
Top