Author Topic: Wont start.  (Read 2895 times)

Offline Jake gti

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Wont start.
« on: 18 June 2011, 21:17 »
Hey all, ive got a big problem and i need your help before i go insane. Ive got a Mk2 golf gti 1984 k-jet 8v that wont start at all. Ive given it a good service as its been sitting for a long long time. Now ive been starting it and driving it up and down my long drive way as its no road tax or mot. But it got really erratic before i put the cover on it and left it alone. Feathering the throttle was fine untill you put your foot down as it would start to run on three cylinders then it went to two so i decided to put it away. Now ive got it back out after a long time and want to put it back on the road but it wont start at all. It splutters and back fires a few times and thats it. I do notice that the plugs are soaking wet with petrol and have a very weak spark. Ive changed the coil thinking it wasnt getting a decent spark cause of the plugs being soaked in petrol but that didnt make any difference. Ive checked the dizzy cap and the arm and there fine as they were newly changed before i put it away. Please help as its driving me crazy and im trying to save up to have it looked at but it needs to get to the garage in the first place lol. Thanks for helping in advance.

                                                     jake....
Keep it neat...Keep it sweet.

Offline Jake gti

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #1 on: 20 June 2011, 01:43 »
I cant believe no-one can help me. Im stuck and need serious help so im calling on like minded enthusiasts for some much needed advise. Surley somebody out there has probably had the same problem as me.
Keep it neat...Keep it sweet.

Offline molegti

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #2 on: 20 June 2011, 12:45 »
Had a similar problem on a different car which I was never able to fix. However I did identify that the compression was down and thats probably a good place to start. Assuming your getting sparks and fuel then checking for compression should be the next step.

Offline molegti

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #3 on: 20 June 2011, 12:51 »
Another thought:

Is the static timing right? You have changed the dizzy cap and arm, did you knock something, are the leads on right? Has one worked loose (used to happen on a mondeo I had).
« Last Edit: 20 June 2011, 12:55 by molegti »

Offline Agreeable Slick

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #4 on: 20 June 2011, 12:57 »
How about before despairing at lack of replies, you do some of the footwork yourself?

I.E. search function =

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1607.0

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=29161.0

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=45378.0

Offline Jake gti

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #5 on: 20 June 2011, 20:11 »
Agreeable slick, already done so please dont jump to conclusions. This is why im asking all you enthusiasts for your help. I cant for the life of me work out why it wont start. It doesnt have an ECU so its not that as its mechanical injection and the plugs and leads and all the other stuff is new.
Keep it neat...Keep it sweet.

Offline Wayne

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #6 on: 20 June 2011, 20:28 »
Well it is k jet and been sitting a while so could be a metering head issues, injectors could also be an issue.

Offline mk2bal

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #7 on: 20 June 2011, 20:54 »
Mate you've got to go through it from start to finish, without us seeing it,as said you've got to do the background work, confirming things for function. Do the lift and main pump work?yes? Move forward. Have you got fuel being pumped into metering head?yes? Move to injectors, pull them and confirm them all. Have you got a good spark on all plugs?if not on all, swap leads and plugs etc round to see if it follows?have you tested the hall sender? Have you got good enough compression (proved)? If all the above check out it can only be cam to crank timing or dizzy timing to get the thing to start. Prove the tdc marks yourself by using a long shaft screwdriver down cyl 1 for bottom end, and remove rocker cover to prove the cam-belt-pulley tdc mark,so you can confirm the punch marks..then time it up with the belt, turn it over by hand, and confirm it again. I know 16v kjets have an ecu for the ignition map, so are you sure you haven't or are 8v kjet dizzys vacuum advance? Check all sensors, plugs, earths, wires under bonnet, pull tug and poke about, but first 110% confirm all the basics before asking 'what' it is. Not being funny its just the answer is under your nose not mine!

Offline Wayne

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #8 on: 20 June 2011, 21:07 »
Mate you've got to go through it from start to finish, without us seeing it,as said you've got to do the background work, confirming things for function. Do the lift and main pump work?yes? Move forward. Have you got fuel being pumped into metering head?yes? Move to injectors, pull them and confirm them all. Have you got a good spark on all plugs?if not on all, swap leads and plugs etc round to see if it follows?have you tested the hall sender? Have you got good enough compression (proved)? If all the above check out it can only be cam to crank timing or dizzy timing to get the thing to start. Prove the tdc marks yourself by using a long shaft screwdriver down cyl 1 for bottom end, and remove rocker cover to prove the cam-belt-pulley tdc mark,so you can confirm the punch marks..then time it up with the belt, turn it over by hand, and confirm it again. I know 16v kjets have an ecu for the ignition map, so are you sure you haven't or are 8v kjet dizzys vacuum advance? Check all sensors, plugs, earths, wires under bonnet, pull tug and poke about, but first 110% confirm all the basics before asking 'what' it is. Not being funny its just the answer is under your nose not mine!

Sound advice :afro:

Offline bodga

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Re: Wont start.
« Reply #9 on: 20 June 2011, 21:15 »
Watch this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7gv68kzi4o

Thats how your injetion system works. :wink:

If you pull the big disk up on your metering head is it hard or easy to lift? there should be some resistance, if there isnt any the needle in the middle of your metering head is stuck in and flooding your cylinders.

It could be the reason why your plugs are wet.

mine was stuck, i carefully took the pin out using pliers wrapped in insulation tape, cleaned it and its been fine since :grin: