Puma died yesterday and had to be towed home (1.7). Just wouldn't start.
Basically what i did today was take the plastic cover over the spark plugs to be confronted with this:




Mopped it all up and pulled the plugs out which don't seem to have any oil on the electrode end so i swapped the plugs for new ones, cleaned the inside of the leads and put it all back together and it still won't start. just won't quite catch.

is there any way that i can test for a spark or has anyone had this problem?

sorry if I'm a bit rambley its just i really need to get it fixed before monday otherwise getting to work will be real hard.

 

i had this with my focus when i first gor it, it took ages to start and wouldnt fire on all cyl

al i did was i went to chemist got a baby feeding seringe and sucked the oil out bought 4 sparkplugs and new rocker box gasket cleaned the leads up.. fired first time

 

new rocker cover gasket needed mate,

 

as above new gasket needed, but to check for spark, get a screwdriver put it in the plug lead and hold it near the rocker cover and get some one to crank the engine you should see a spark jump from the screwdriver to the rocker cover (do not hold the metal of the screwdriver or you will get a nice belt up your arm from the spark lol)
make sure there is no oil inside the plug lead too

 

right. changed the plugs and rocker cover gasket and tested the leads and it still won't start. what should i be testing for next?

 

Coil? Mine has same at mo but is running on 3 cylinders so guess down to the coil.

 

these are waisted spark setup so I don't think its the coil otherwise it would only spark on 2 ? - if I am wrong can someone comment.

 

so how can i test the coil or is it a straight repair?

 

Straight swap about 15 quid have you check plugs for spark though? I gonna look at me mrs tomorrow

 

no not specifically. ill have a go at em tomorrow! never even thought of that! many thanks

 

anymore ideas anyone? Stuck in a bit of a rut now as just cant get it to work. anything else i can test?

 

is it turning over and just wont fire up?

 

yes yes thats exactly it. wirrs away on the starter motor but doesnt catch if you know what i mean!

 

Has it got sufficent fuel?

 

if it was me, id turn it over with all the plugs removed to clear anything out of the bores, re-insert plugs and connect ht leads and try again mate

 

oh and give the plugs a wipe over and the threads where the plugs go into the head. this will remove any excess oil

 

fuel is fine as when it broke down i was in the petrol station having put about 20ltrs in. i shall try cleaning out the plugs although they are brand new and i removed the oil worth a try. ill keep you posted!

 

havent put diesel in??

 

are you sure ht leads are ok also

 

definatly didnt put diesel in. well im 99% sure but obvioiusly i am creating doubt in my mind. it doesnt say diesel on my reciept. also i checked the HT leads with the screwdriver test and they all seem to be working fine. all create a spark!

 

it must be a fuel related problem if its sparking well

 

one thing i noticed when i was in it the other day was that there is normally a noise when you turn the key before starting which i always assumed was possibly the fuel pump. is there a way of testing that it is working and if it needed replacing how much of a job is that. i am by no means a mechanic but if i can keep the costs down and its just common sense then im normally alright with stuff like that!

 

or possibly could it be the electrical feed to the pump (not sure if thats how it works)

 

Sounds like a fuel pump issue, as you got into the petrol station and then it wouldnt work after that, its not as if it casually broke down, it was just working fine one minute then not the next?

When you turn the ignition so all the dash lights come on before you turn it again to start the engine, do you hear like a electric whizzing sound and a small clunk from the back seat area? should do it for a few seconds?

If your not hearing that, then you need to check all your fuses first and then the fuel cut off switch which is located in one of the front footwells

 

Is the timing belt intact?

 

not hearing that noise anymore no so guess ill check the fuses. i checked the fuel cutoff switch but it didnt seem to work so i pulled away the carpet and there doesnt seem to be a button to press. may nip home at lunch time and give it a go!

 

and yes all the belts are fine as i had them replaced in october!

 

Sure battery not gone! Mrs mad a clicking sound when turn over

 

My Puma'd Mk4 Fiesta did this - I changed the coil pack for the spare I had in the garage and drove to work as normal Your fuel pump won't necessarily prime again if you've already been cranking trying to start the motor (correct me if I'm wrong, people).

 

Is there a valve on the inlet somewhere, looks like a tyre valve, usually has a cap on it, blue or something in colour, again same as a tyre valve cap would be, remove the cap and press the inner bit, it should spray out fuel for a few seconds then stop, if it doesnt do this, then you know its not getting fuel to the inlet.

 

checked it again today and it was the fuse for the fuel pump. little diddy fuse as well. well annoyed but i got it working which is great! but the AA man didn't find it so that makes me grin. thank you so much for all the advice guys! really helped me out!

 

Brilliant news, hope all is well and good again, thought if it blows again, and touch wood it does'nt ! you may need to check the wiring under the back seat and make sure everything is okay and nothing loose.

 

fingers crossed that wont happen but i shall be carrying spare fuses with me just incase!

 

well could have been the plugs when aa man got there and the fuse blew when you where working on it ???? things that happen mate