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Zetec Blacktop won't start
ChrisL - 30/3/12 at 08:41 PM

The continuing saga of by 1.8 ST to 2.0 BT Zetec swap.

Tried starting the engine - no joy. Engine turns over fine, got spark and fuel and I think the crank angle sensor is correct, from the plug side it looks the same as the old one. I've got a megajolt map taken from a car with the same set up. Fuel is about a month old. All the ancillaries worked fine on the 1.8 ST, except one of the carbs (#3) leaked so the carbs have been cleaned, float valves adjusted. I don't think this has fixed the leak but this should stop the engine starting. (will get carb refurb kit tomorrow). So any ideas what to check next....?

Cheers and thanks
Chris


doddy - 30/3/12 at 08:52 PM

make sure you have the crank angle sensor wires on the right way round


matt_gsxr - 30/3/12 at 08:56 PM

What is it doing?

Just cranking not a hint of starting?
Coughing?
Backfiring?


monck - 30/3/12 at 09:13 PM

Cant help but your not the only one having trouble


ChrisL - 30/3/12 at 10:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by monck
Cant help but your not the only one having trouble


Good to know!!


Just cranking with no hint of a start but the starter does disengage like it's starting but not getting a bang!


FazerBob - 30/3/12 at 10:36 PM

try starting for about 15 secs, then whip out a couple of the plugs, and check if they are wet, or smell strongly of petrol. If they are dry start looking for a fuelling fault. If they're wet you aren't getting a spark, so look for ignition faults.


matt_gsxr - 30/3/12 at 11:08 PM

FazerBob is right.


If it turning over properly and isn't coughing of anything then there are only 4 sources for the problem:

1) no fuel (whilst cranking)
2) no spark (whilst cranking)
3) spark at wrong time
4) no compression



to test
1) Fazer Bob test, or spray some Eazistart

2) Sparks can be tricky as when the plugs are out it can be easy to get a spark which can fool you into thinking it works. A timing light (with inductive sensor) is a good test that allows the plug to be left in the engine.

4) Compression test (make sure throttles are open).


Spark at wrong time normally give back-fires, but not necessarily. Similarly timing light will provide the clue as to whether spark is at the right time.

Good luck and get that battery on charge.

Matt


ashg - 31/3/12 at 12:25 AM

even if the spark was at the wrong time you would get a bit of a splutter now and then.

check the crank sensor wires fuel/air/spark. do you have a timing light?

with your engine at tdc on no1 cyl your sensor should be 90degrees behind the missing tooth like this


ChrisL - 31/3/12 at 06:56 AM

Cheers for the advice guys. I'm pretty sure I'm getting fuel, so I'll dig out my timing light and see what that shows...


rusty nuts - 31/3/12 at 07:09 AM

Try a squirt of brake cleaner down the inlet while cranking with a little bit of throttle , if the ignition side of things is OK it should fire up and run at least for a few seconds


RichardK - 31/3/12 at 01:11 PM

Do you know if the zetec was from an auto boxed car,if it was the housing of the crank position sensor needs changing for a manual housing,are you using the back of the flywheel for timing or a toothed wheel like Ash?

My advice would only apply if using the normal crank pos sensor and flywheel.

Cheers

Rich


RichardK - 31/3/12 at 01:19 PM

Picture from my gallery



Cheers

Rich


ChrisL - 31/3/12 at 06:59 PM

Pretty sure it's not from an auto as the flywheel bolts were too long for a 1.8 flywheel (on a 2.0 engine) the auto ones are short enough. also the Crankshaft angle sensor looks the same, from the plug end.

If it is an auto sensor, what effect would that have on the spark timing?


ChrisL - 31/3/12 at 10:02 PM

Result, got her started, seems the fuelling isn't quite right, yet. Seems I wasn't being brave enough with the throttle!! Oh well we live and learn.

Many thanks for all the advice / help.

Cheers Chris


RichardK - 1/4/12 at 07:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by ChrisL
Pretty sure it's not from an auto as the flywheel bolts were too long for a 1.8 flywheel (on a 2.0 engine) the auto ones are short enough. also the Crankshaft angle sensor looks the same, from the plug end.

If it is an auto sensor, what effect would that have on the spark timing?


Glad you got it sorted, but for the benefit of others, the sensor is the same, it's just the housing that makes it point further in and in a slightly different place.

Cheers

Rich