As above, just now my escort wouldn't start its a 1600 Zetec

It would turn over but not start

Checked for spark and had a spark fine,

So then just kept trying to start it for about 20-30 secs and it fired up

I had washed it a bit before with a hose pipe so could it have been water in the intake or something like that?

Seems to be running fine now but I'd like to know what it was/could be in case it does it again

I thought poss battery but not if it was turning it over for that long without actually starting?

Cheers for any help!

 

Probally water in a loom connector or on a sensor and it dried out.

Water in the intake wont do anything unless its lots then that will
hydraulically lock your engine.

 

So do you think it would be ok now Simon or will it take a couple of days to dry out properly?

 

Forgot to say as well that after washing it, about 30-40 later I went to go out in it, it started but idled really low then cut out, then had the problems described above!

 

Take it for a gentle drive and stay near home just in case it stops.
If it hesitates, dont over load it too much.


If it is water, it should dry out eventually but check all wiring connectors
and ignition components if you still have a problem.
(with the ignition power off)

A few squirts of WD40 in suspect connectors will sort it.

 

Thanks a lot Simon!

 

i bet you strted it up drove it a few feet then washed it? correct?

if so tappetts jackout out causing low compression all the cranking get the oil moving again and away you go



very common on zetec engine

 

Clever boy!

The back of the car was too close to the fence to wash it so i started it drove it about half a metre then turned it off and washed it!

EDIT: I'm not a lazy bastard I just wanted to start it to check it still started after I'd taken some wiring out