Marea Starting Problem

[Gordon Smith]

Hi,

I have a 1999 Marea weekend 1.6 which intermittently refuses to start.

The engine turns over fine but just does not catch and these occurances are becoming more frequent. When it does eventually fire it runs smoothly.

Removing a plug when this happens shows a white deposit which I would have associated with fuel starvation or overheating.

Tried changing the plugs, then, as the fuel tank is always under suction, leaving the cap loose to see if the fuel was sucked out easier with no change.

I'm not familiar with the fuel system on this car, but there seems to be fuel in the pipe fixed to the bulkhead which I assume is the delivery, there also seem to be another two pipes in the engine compartment which head to the fuel tank but which are empty (of liquid) when opened at the quick disconnect junctions.

The car eventually starts if left for a while, anyone got any ideas what could be causing this? my next thought would be filter blockage or dodgy pump, but input from someone more knowledgeable than myself would be useful.

Thanks,

Gordon.

 

[Anonymous]

check the TDC sensor & it wiring harness.

 

[Anonymous]

When you say left for a while, this wouldnt be until it went cold would it?

I have a problem with my HGT, starts (from coldish), runs great even when hot. But if i try and start it again (when hot), it just wont go. Leave it to cool and its fine.

Daz

 

[Tom]

The extra pipes are the vapor return lines, the fuel system is closed to stop nasty fumes getting out and annoying hippies.

Has the car had its cambelt done recently?

 

[Gordon Smith]

Hello again,

Will try and locate TDC sensor and check at WE, although I may have to try and get it to fail to start to confirm.

Car started on a damp morning at 05:30, came out of work to sunshine about 15C at 18:00 and it wouldn't go, tried wiggling wires and pipes, checking fuel cutoff etc with no change. After many tries with the battery about exhausted it finally caught, no problems next day with similar conditions.

AFAIK it is the original cambelt since new 42K miles. I've had the car since 24K.

Thanks,
Gordon.

 

[Tom]

The cambelt needs changing if its a 1999 car, 5 years or 60k whichever comes first.

Have you tried new plug leads?

 

[Tom]

Forgot to ask, I assume it idles and runs fine, what sort of MPG do you get?