I have a series 1 that is close to being finished after a long restoration, full engine rebuild, etc, etc. The car will start, but not run for more than a few seconds. I have checked the flap in the metering head and it moves during cranking, There is about 2 gallons of new fuel in the tank, There is fuel at the metering head, where the injector pipes are connected, but I do not think it is getting down the injector lines and to the injectors ? I have held the flap down and cranked the engine over with the plugs removed,and even tried tow starting it but still no joy !
Any ideas ?

 

is the fuel pump working??

 

The Fuel pump seems to be working as the cold start is pressurised, as are the connections to the injector lines at the metering head, I am in the process of trying to check the fuel pressure at the metering head, to see if the correct pressure is being supplied by the fuel pump.

 

i had the same problem on my 16i,the fuel pump was working but not at the full pressure,also the injectors had become stuck closed because it had been in bits for so long .take the injectors out and leave them to soak in some fuel overnight then try either blowing them out with compressd air or poke some thin wire down them, careful though they are delicate.as for the pump, sounds like its dried out with being stood for so long,you'll probably need a new one.hope this helps.

 

Is there a dump valve in this equation by any chance?

 

Matt.t Checking the metering head to see what pressure the pump is generating, then I will try what you suggested.
Safechav no dump valve in this set up.

 

if you only check the pressure at the pump outlet you'll get a false reading,you need to check it across the system (ie put a 't' piece in line somewhere and read off that) our looking for about 90psi.

 

I have checked the pressure at the outlet to the pressure diff valve ??mounted on the side of the metering head, I blocked off one side and measured the pressure from the side were the large red plastic fuel line fits and on the second click of the ignition key the system primes up to aprox 7 bar (100 psi) and when it starts to crank this drops to aprox 6 bar (87 psi). It holds aprox 6 bar, This drops again to 40 psi ish when it does start albeit for a second or two.

 

So when it cuts out what do you think you're losing, fuelling or what?

Have you checked for air leaks etc?

 

I have not checked for air leaks, I thought that if the metering head flap moved during cranking, this was a sign that it is not an air leak, But I will check for air leaks whats is the best way ?
It seems to me that it is fuel starvation, but I am open to suggestions ?
I have about a week before the car goes into storage as I am moving house, no room in garage till its cleared out.

 

Its worth checking for leaks, they can do funny things to the running if they are only small leaks.

Anything massive will as you say stop the flap moving.

Do you know if you have fuel spraying from the injectors for definite?

 

The last time I checked for fuel from the injectors they were dry, since this I have tried to tow start it with no joy ! Then I took the plugs out and cranked the engine over with the flap held down, until the battery went flat, Then I have tested for fuel pressure and got soaked in the process, Although before all this there was no response to the throttle it would just start and tick over for a second then die, but last night I tried it again and had a little reponse from the throttle to about 1500rpm then it died. I will try another relay this weekend and check for leaks, keep the ideas coming. considering outing the mfi and in with efi. There is an Xr2i being broken do they use the same throttle body etc as the frst ? What parts could i use ?

 

If theres no fuel from the injectors theres nothing you can do to make it run until you rectify that problem.

its probably firing up from the cold start valve.......

 

Safechav I agree with the cold start theory, I have used one of my spare injectors to check for fuel from it, We have fuel to the metering head, but still nothing from the injectors or the pipework, and to make matters worse I have snapped one the original red plastic unions off at the metering head. The car goes into storage again on thursday, So i am looking into buying the bits to change it over to efi. Roll on summer....

 

Its more than likely a fuel pressure related issue.

Some ideas: weak fuel pump, air lock in the metering head, fuel pressure regulator faulty, etc

 

Try and blow through your fuel filter if there is any resistance at all change it.

Also check your exhaust isnt blocked.

 

sounds like metering heads knackered mate they dont like been stood because they dry out