HELP 16v engine issues - Fuel pump????

[The Mighty Elvi]

UPDATED BELOW

Winter's here, so as you can imagine my battery decided to end it's life.  Despite many CPR sessions it was pronounced dead this morning.  Popped down to GSF for a new one and they told me that they are now selling batteries at trade prices.  £36, thank you very much!  Halfrauds wanted £60 for a new one.

I digress, this is the question.  I've just put the new battery in, and all the electrical things work, but the engine turns over but wont start!  Is it because of the cold?  I did try to start it this morning as well with the old battery, is it flooded?  I'll check the dizzy tomorrow.

As a side note, I took the car for a jet wash yesterday and 2 miles from the garage at about 50 mph I had a sudden loss of engine power for about a second, radio and lights stayed on but speedo needle just dropped to zero and then it cut in again.

Was this somehow water ingress in to the engine bay, or was it prelude to my fuel pump / filter going as well, and hence my engine not turning over with new battery installed??

UPDATE.

1. FEI connector and switch cleaned
2. Dizzie cleaned
3. Hall sender cleaned.
4. starter motor connections cleaned.
5. All earth straps and connections wire brushed.
6. Number 1 injector removed and NO FUEL comes out on engine turnover.

So..engine still turns strongly but will not start.

bearing in mind the sudden engine cut out above, has my fuelpump gone? is the filter blocked? or is it an electrical connection fault to the pump? other?

How do I tell which part has gone before going to the expense of buying new parts?


THANKS

Jonathan.

[rubjonny]

if you turn the key 1 click, do you hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds?

[The Mighty Elvi]

Yes.. I do hear that electrical hum that lasts for a second on turning the key.

[rubjonny]

ok the fei is getting power at least, and the fuel relay is working.  It might be down to a clogged fuel filter, mine did this as well

edit: a good way to check if its fuel delivery, pop the inlet boot off and spray a ton of easy start or something into the inlet and put it back on again.  Turn it over again and if it fires breifly you've pretty much confirmed its a fuel problem!
This is how the aa man diagnosed the issue on mine.

[The Mighty Elvi]

   Cheers John. Read your post reply on the 'other forum' about this problem.  I think I'll replace the fuel filter and take it from there.

I thought this might be the problem when I experienced the sudden loss of engine power a few days ago.  Fingers crossed that's all it is

Jonathan.

[rubjonny]

did you notice if the oil and battery warning lights came on when the rev counter dropped to 0?

[The Mighty Elvi]

No, no warning lights. Radio and lights stayed on, hence I thought it was a fuel problem, but then I had battery issues and it complicated the matter.

[The Mighty Elvi]

I also have a slight oil leak from the distibutor.  I think that it the o-ring at the base inside the head that's failed as I do get a slight film inside the dizzie cap and the internals of the distibutor  - as you look haed on at the rotor arm - look oily.

This has been the case since I bought the car in March.  I put on a new cap and arm after I had it diagnostic tested when bought, but it's never caused any starting issues.   Could it have failed completely?? and hence the car wont start??

[shaunmk2gti]

Hi mate ive got exactly the same problem engine lost power and rev counter went to zero the next day i had only done a mile since it lost power and it backfired and cut out and wouldnt start again. Engine is tryin to turn over but wont so looks like fuel problem. Towed it to my mechanic today (wednesday) and he is going to look at it tomorrow. Will let you know if he finds anything fingers crossed its something cheap and easy to fix like a blocked fuel line or filter

[The Mighty Elvi]

  Great.  Keep us posted as to what the mechanic says.  I'll get a new filter tomorrow £6.00 +VAT from GMF.  Fingers crossed for both of us that this is the problem.