My B is still in the coach works at the moment, but I thought I would ask this question here anyway.

Recently my little B has has a lot of trouble starting. It always starts, but only on the second or third attempt! The engine turns over perfectly, but will not ignite. New plugs, ageing air filter, full new service, runs beautifully.

My mechanic had a little listen to is and suggested that it could be the immobilizer, but how would I go about diagnosing and curing that problem?

Immobiliser fault should bring up the code light.

Has it had a fuel filter changed recently? Might be choking up if not.

HP. said:

Immobiliser fault should bring up the code light.

Has it had a fuel filter changed recently? Might be choking up if not.

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Nope, not been changed. Where can I get one?

It's worth a try. Have you checked out shop4parts?

Fuel Filter (Push on Connectors)
1.8 16v


Part Number: S4P443
Manufacturer: Bosch

Listed Price: £11.33
Our Price: £7.93
You Save: £3.40 (30%)
Please note that All Prices Exclude VAT.

Worth a go, certainly. Was thinking about getting it change anyway. You think one of these would be ok? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120369884450

Surely a fuel filter, is a fuel filter? No?

Woah Woah Woah! What year is your car#? some don't have separate filters!

Just in time, afroking It's a very late 2001 model. It has the engine with the strut-brace-blocking air filter, and third tail light.

I was hoping to order it tonight, so I could get all the work done when she comes back from the coachworks. But if no one can tell me, I'll jest wait.

I'm pretty sure only the earlier cars had two filters as the filter is built into the pump/sender unit on later cars. I know this because with my car, 2000 'x' reg I had to take the entire pump unit out of the tank to inspect as a cause for misfiring. Fiat used these later type pumps and claimed them to be maintenance free, although if you check on the foreign forums you will find a guy that had his filled with black crap (technical term).

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So, how would I go about cleaning it? Is it even possible? I've got some lovely Forté Fuel and Injector cleaner here, but I didn't want to run it though a dirty filter.

I'll wait until she comes back so I can have a good look underneath (assuming that's where the filter is! )

I suspect it's behind the seats, in the tank, as afroking says "I had to take the entire pump unit out of the tank "...

Oh well, lets hope the Forté additives can take care of it then. I certainly don't have the skills to take the pump out of the tank

Honestly I don't think it will be the fuel filter, when I took mine out it was spotless. You can clean it by unclipping the bottom part. If you want to take it out but it's not very easy to stop petrol spilling out into the cabin area. Best thing to do is if you are really unsure, stick your head in front of the offside rear wheel and look upwards to where the blue fuel lines exit near the tank. I am certain you won't have a filter but check it for the sake of checking it. My money would be on the crankshaft sensor needing replacement if its taking time to start.

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afroking said:

My money would be on the crankshaft sensor needing replacement if its taking time to start.

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Click to expand...

Yup, that's what happened to my Alfa Spider and it displayed similar (albeit more severe symptoms). Any way to diagnose the RPM sensor without taking it to a garage?

Does the pump prime itself when you turn the ignition to MAR? If so, does it sound slow as if it is struggling? If not don't take the sender out you will waste time and the car will smell of petrol for ages.
It will be an electrical issue, I am sure of it. Ask your mechanic about the crankshaft sensor.

Pump prime itself perfectly by the sounds of things. Damn, another visit to the Garage... Will I ever get to drive my Barchetta anywhere else!?

Lol! When you have your first drive you will be smitten again. I am forever tapping mine on the dash telling it how much I like it. I'm pretty sure it doesn't like me though, just like my X19, always trying to dish out tetanus! Good luck with the starting problem though, let me know how it works out.

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I would agree that it's probably not the filter. I changed mine on my '97 model as it was very very dirty.

Despite the "black crap" it wasn't causing any noticeable problems.