m20b27 no start, help!! it starts & runs!!!

[steve_k]

looking for some help,

m20b27 won't start,

from the start,

i rebuilt the head as the valve stem seals were starting to go (a bit smokey), replaced the timing belt & water pump.

fitted a brand new CPS, TPS, dizzy cap & rotor arm, HT leads & plugs,

timing marks lined up perfect even after turning it over 6 times by hand.

i know it's got fuel as i found a fuel leak at the FPR due to a bust O ring (replaced with a brand new one),

i know it's got spark as they've been tested both with a spark plug tester & having each plug out in turn placed on the rocker cover & trying to start the engine,

checked the coil by using a test light & trying to start it again.

so i know most/all the ignition parts are in working order,

the compression was checked before i removed the head, i can't remember the numbers but they were very good,

so i'm at a loss at what is causing it to not start,

it turns over freely but wont catch & start.

so does anyone have any ideas?? i'm all out of ideas, i've checked everything possible that could cause it.

[steve_k]

anyone?? surely someone must have an idea??

i've posted on the zone fb page as well & all i'm getting are some stupid answers, "check the wiper blades" etc, or repeating myself over & over because folk don't read the original post properly.

i've got the troubleshooting guide from the wiki so i'll be working my way through that tomorrow.

[flybynite]

If the plugs are sparking against the rocker then the spark is getting where it should. Fuel at the FPR doesn't necessarily mean it is getting through to the cylinder. After it has been spinning over for a bit are the plugs wet or dry? Injectors blocked by crud?

I know the timing is right but are the valves set right (valves opening at all?)

When the obvious stuff is checked you need to stupid things you may have forgot. I speak from experience here

[steve_k]

If the plugs are sparking against the rocker then the spark is getting where it should. Fuel at the FPR doesn't necessarily mean it is getting through to the cylinder. After it has been spinning over for a bit are the plugs wet or dry? Injectors blocked by crud?

I know the timing is right but are the valves set right (valves opening at all?)

When the obvious stuff is checked you need to stupid things you may have forgot. I speak from experience here

thanks for the reply,

i'll be checking the plugs tomorrow (too hot right now) & pulling the fuel rail to see if the injectors are working properly. also, i've had the rocker cover off while i turned it over by hand & i can see the valves opening & closing.

like you say it could be some stupid little thing as it normally is.

fingers crossed for tomorrow.

[steve_k]

well i've been out to the car this morning,

had a good look round in the engine bay only to find that the injector loom plug was disconnected!!!!

reconnected it, went to try starting the car only to be greeted by very dull dashboard lights & a "click" when i turned the key, yep flat battery, as i'd caught the side lights at some point yesterday & they's been on all night,

just giving the battery a quick charge then off out to try again.

fingers crossed.

[steve_k]

well praise the lard & pass the dripping it starts & runs!!!!!!

had a look at all the sensors (TPS, CPS, AFM, blue temp sensor etc) & turned out to be the fact that the injector loom plug under the inlet manifold was disconnected, reconnected it, gave the battery a boost.

kept my fingers crossed, turned the key, it turned over a few times, coughed & farted, then fired up but died.

so, turned the key again, pressed the throttle & she fired up, let off the throttle & it idled a little rough but at least it starts & runs now.

[flybynite]

Its always something stupid you miss when you've been at it all day, end in sight, and its either +40 or -20 outside

Wish I had a pound for each time I'd done something like that on an engine build.

Glad it runs, at least now the fettling can start

[steve_k]

Its always something stupid you miss when you've been at it all day, end in sight, and its either +40 or -20 outside

Wish I had a pound for each time I'd done something like that on an engine build.

Glad it runs, at least now the fettling can start

tell me about it, normally something staring you right in the face as well,

dont think the neighbours were too happy though, as while it was idling it sounded like a big block V8 with its rough loping idle & only a single back box.

setting the valve clearance & the other little snagging jobs can wait till tomorrow of friday,

[martauto]

Its always something stupid you miss when you've been at it all day, end in sight, and its either +40 or -20 outside

Wish I had a pound for each time I'd done something like that on an engine build.

Glad it runs, at least now the fettling can start

But we have ALL been there and will go there again , and that is written.
Glad you saw it in the end mate.

Mart.

[steve_k]

Its always something stupid you miss when you've been at it all day, end in sight, and its either +40 or -20 outside

Wish I had a pound for each time I'd done something like that on an engine build.

Glad it runs, at least now the fettling can start

But we have ALL been there and will go there again , and that is written.
Glad you saw it in the end mate.

Mart.

i know i'll end up with another little problem thats staring me in the face one day soon enough, it's an e30 so it will always through up a simple problem.

[964russ]

My m20b27 build has just been mot,d .
Only took 3 years to restore car.

Mine would not run, ended up being the idle control valve, took months to find.

I've been struggling to get the timing right on mine, ended up advancing the timing 4mm .
Revs like a bike now!

Very engine noisy thou, swear you can hear the valvesoving

[steve_k]

My m20b27 build has just been mot,d .
Only took 3 years to restore car.

Mine would not run, ended up being the idle control valve, took months to find.

I've been struggling to get the timing right on mine, ended up advancing the timing 4mm .
Revs like a bike now!

Very engine noisy thou, swear you can hear the valvesoving

i know that feeling very well, you've just finished the build, go to start it & it won't fire up,
all sorts goes through your mind, & it always turns out to be something stupid.

the timing on mine is advanced 1 tooth, pulls like a train with a 3.91 lsd with 40% lock.