Hi guy's
I Know this has been covered lots of times but
can someone help a noober!
car is standard S2 changed the plugs, leads, dizzy cap and rotory arm
last week cause car was a bit stuttery, after changed these items
she ran sweet as you like, then............
yesterday started her up there was a couple of hesitations
5 min later I had to rev her arse off just to keep her ticking over
and then dead....unless I left her for 10-15 mins then tried again to start her, she would run for about 20 seconds then die
so I'm suspecting a fueling problem?
so were do I start, when I first turn on the ignition I can hear the fuel pump priming could it be fuel pump ecu? relay?

 

Get someone to listen to make sure the fuel pump is actually running when the engine is.

Check connections to all the sensors at the rear of the manifold - take your time and pin them out with a meter to the ecu plug, the wiring diagram is in the Haynes manual.

When it is running, and it is struggling, very gently depress the metering flap to richen the mixture. If it is better, then it is lean, if worse, it is rich.

Rick

 

If it was fueling problem I would expect spluttering?

Maybe wrong but I would say it may be spark plug related.

1. Spark plugs may be bad even if they look good.

2. The gap may be wrong

Will run until it starts to get hot and boom your car cuts out.

It was running before so....

 

I personally would suspect a fuelling problem, however i wouldn't count on anything. Its very worth while getting a timing light and making sure your timing is correct.

Spark plug gaps generally don't change, it was running well, then started to misbehave.

Then do as Rick says above. I also find a fuel pressure gauge installed temp under the bonnet very handy, you can see exactly what the pump is doing. Air leaks can also do this as when cold there is enough extra enrichment from the cold start injector to compensate for an air leak. When the engine warms up, the bi-metal switch controlling the cold start injector turns off, the car goes very lean and won't run.

You can check this by pressing the fuel metering flap down (very slightly and slowly or it will stall) as Rick has suggested. The further down you press it, the richer the mixture will be, if this helps matters i would suspect an air leak first (as these are generally free to fix).

Common air leaks come from the rocker cover, the oil cap, the dipstick not being fully in, broken breathers etcetc. But can also be caused by loose boost hoses.

Other common MFI problems include faulty sensors, it is not unheard of for a sensor to work when cold, and go open circuit/short when hot. The coolant temp sensor will have the largest influence over fuelling.

Finally, take it to a tuner and get it set up.

Good luck

Rob,

 

My car was running fine then misbehaved... Got told "it's prob the fuel metering unit out"

After speaking to a person I know well and on his advice we changed the gap and instantly the car was fixed.

I wouldn't give personal advice unless I personally believe it to be a possible factor as if I had gone on the advice on here I would have still been stuck.

Not saying this is the cause but seems funny it has just happened.

As rob says get it to a tuner and see what they say. Might save you alot of messing about

 

Was your car misfiring on or off boost mate? I had a misfire on boost a while back which was caused large plug gaps. It can also be general deterioration of the ignition system, less spark intensity means a smaller plug gap is needed on boost, rich mixture can mean the same.

Rob,

 

Yea mate on boost. Was horrible. Backfire banging and bunny hopping. This was just after my set up. My engine is a bit funny ATM and considering a rebuild as I'm not happy. Doing a cylinder leak down test cos I got the use of it.

All fun tho.

 

Haha, yea all good fun (i think!)

Good luck

 

cheers guys lot's of things to try over the holidays I'll need to charge up the battery now though as ran it down trying to start the bugger
gonna her booked in for a set up in a few weeks at Ricky Gauld's place
but will need to get her going first
bought another car to kick about in now so a little less stress as she is now a weekend toy
all good you guys are the best have a great xmas and new year.

 

How you get on?

 

blocked fuel filter mate I think,
do Ford still sell airflow sensors?