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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Ben Lessani on 12 December 2008, 23:18

Title: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Ben Lessani on 12 December 2008, 23:18
 :sad: is the only way to describe how I feel.

If you're not familiar, I didn't have antifreeze and everything froze up. I've replaced the metal pipe, changed the radiator, charged the battery and bought and fitted a new starter motor....and I go to turn her over and ...  NOTHING!

Here's what I know,


I had gotten it to run once, but it wouldn't idle, it only kept going if you kept it on mild throttle.

The rest of the time when you crank it, after about 6/7 seconds theres a loud bang from the exhaust - almost like a backfire, but the exhaust is cold.

Interestingly when I took one of the spark plugs out to test the spark, it did bang and there was a light smoke coming out the spark plug hole.

The car has been sat stationary for almost 5 weeks - and I believe the valve stem seals leak, so its likely the cyl were full of oil? And I can only guess the bang was hot carbon deposits igniting fuel from a flooded engine?

The only thing I can think is that the timing could possibly be out from ice expansion - but its a long shot. What's going on!

Edit More googling has revealed it could be a vacuum leak, or moisture in the dizzy - so I'll check those in the morning.
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: danny_p on 13 December 2008, 00:22
have you touched the plug leads ?

if have wind the neinge round so the timeing marks line up and look see which plug lead the rotor arm is pointing at.   form the sound of it leads are 180 deg out
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Ben Lessani on 13 December 2008, 00:37
The leads have only ever been removed 1 by 1.

"wind the neinge round" ??
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: OakeyDoak16v on 13 December 2008, 00:43
Phff. It could be a hundred things as you know, but is it worth checking that everything regarding the air intake is done up right. Might be something really simple like that is all. :smiley:
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Ben Lessani on 13 December 2008, 00:47
I know! This is a real kick in the balls when I'm so close to be able to drive the car again.

I'll go over all the vacuum hoses and the intake and check its all done up ok. I had removed the airbox > throttle body pipe to spray some cold start in when testing for a spark the other day - I might have not got the rubber boot on properly on the underside, so I'll check that tommorow too.
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: OakeyDoak16v on 13 December 2008, 01:05
It's worth checking, i found out recently. A little thing like that can make all the difference. :smiley:
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: DarnPB on 13 December 2008, 08:32
Has the cam belt slipped due to the water pump being frozen up? (Can't even remember if the cam belt drives the water pump TBH. Long time since I've been in that area. :undecided:)
This happened on my brothers car a few years back. Coughing and spluttering with wisps of smoke but no start.
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Conker on 13 December 2008, 08:40
It sounds like your getting a spark and fuel, so I would go with air leak or timing as the culprit.

Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Ben Lessani on 13 December 2008, 10:58
Has the cam belt slipped due to the water pump being frozen up? (Can't even remember if the cam belt drives the water pump

The water pump is on an aux belt, so it seems unlikely. But it does remind me of my mums car when I did the HG - exact same thing, turned out to be the coil pack on hers...

It sounds like your getting a spark and fuel, so I would go with air leak or timing as the culprit.

It looks that way. Its p***ing it down right now so I can't play, especially since I still need to see if the water is leaking anywhere else.

Edit This site (http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w116-s-se-sel-sd-class/1223523-bosch-d-jetronic-k-jetronic-troubleshooting.html) says

Quote from: K-Jet Diagnostic Guide
Backfire in intake

1)Check that CO adjustment is correct;
If incorrect,backfire will result if started and under a load.

2)Boot between airflow sensor and throttle defective;
Will result in a lean mixture due to secondary air(false air)

3)Vacumm leaks;
Self explainatory.
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: oakgreengolf on 13 December 2008, 12:00
might be worth checking for broken wires especially as youve been working in the engine bay. check the one that plugs into the dizzy too, i know on the 16v these become very brittle and brake.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Ben Lessani on 13 December 2008, 12:07
Interesting point ... I did break 2 wires, one which goes into the warm up valve and the oil cooler sensor - but I soldered and recrimped as appropriate. Continuity testing the loom wiring is going to be a pig though :(

So for my checklist:

Check for broken wires / loose cables
Check for vacuum leak / loose intake pipe
Moisture in the dizzy
Position of the rotor arm at TDC Cyl 1
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Mr Blue on 13 December 2008, 12:41
Had a similar problem on a mates kjet. Was parked up for weeks.

Broken dizzy wires are common. give the plug a wiggle.

Blue temp sensor?

We got it to idle by adjusting the dizzy (mark it first). Once it was running we put it back to the original position. Wierd these vw's :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Ben Lessani on 13 December 2008, 19:09
I checked and re-positioned the intake pipe, unplugged and replugged all the electrical contacts I had removed. Removed the dizzy cap and cleaned up the contacts then soaked it in WD40. Reseated the battery clamps and prayed to all the popular deities ...

... turned the key, and low and behold, SHE FIRED UP! She seems to run ok without any issues  :grin:

There was a small leak from  the water pump; I did remove it yesterday to check the impeller was ok. But I drove it to GSF to get a new seal, but by the time I got there, the leak had stopped. I drove round a load more and let it run on the driveway for 5 mins, but no leaky - so maybe the rubber seal needed to reseat itself....But I'll keep an eye on it.

After driving it for 5 minutes though - it was totally worth putting in a few hours labour :cool:
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Conker on 13 December 2008, 23:36
Good news !!
Title: Re: Winter Woes - Engine won't start, fuel smell, exhaust popping (backfiring)
Post by: Jay on 14 December 2008, 00:27
Glad you got it sorted!