Another starting difficulty thread....

[JMAN]

Ok, in the past 20-30,000k's I have had; all 8 injectors pro cleaned, two sets of ignition leads, spark plugs (iridiums), new ignition coil, new battery, dizzy cap, rotor, fuel filter, cleaned earth points beneath radiator expansion filler and the braided strap from coil to engine. I've cleaned out the MAF connector and gave them a slight twist, cleaned out the flame trap and all emission hoses. I have noticed there is no and has never been a fuel temp sensor present since I got the car in 03 although there is a boss on the fuel/injector line for it, had the starter motor rebuilt. The ignition mod has been moved next to the coil. I have done all this to rectify its starting problem but still havn't fixed it.

The car only starts when engine itself is hot like as soon as I refill 80 litres it will start perfectly. The starting fault is NOT weather dependant. If it's been sitting for anymore than 10-15 minutes in any weather, it cranks and cranks then starts. Once started, no problems running and idles as per the manual specs.

Driving: There is no hesitation upon acceleration, no engine cut out when driving, heaps of grunt in all. I'm happy with the way it runs. Just takes about 3-4 turns of the key to get it to start with some light pressure on the throttle or 6-7 turns of the key with no throttle before it catches.

If I have left something out it's because I have not done it or not checked it.

When my wife stops driving the car around for more that 10 minutes, I'll have the fuel pressure and timing checked.

Please help me diagnose the fault.

Cheers,

John

[PhilipA]

About the only thing you haven't mentioned is the fuel pump.
How old is it?
Do you hear it energise for 10 seconds as you turn the switch on?
It could be that the non return valve in the fuel pump has died. The rail should keep pressure for a considerable time but it sounds that it may be pump related to me.
Next time you want to start. Turn the ign on and wait until the pump stops, turn off, then on again and wait until it stops , then hit start.
Regards Philip A

[JMAN]

Thanks PhillipA.

I hear the fuel pump energise for only about 5 seconds then stops priming prior to start up. I'm guessing the pump is original. I have no way to tell really as I bought the car used.

I'll give the turn of the key a shot when the car cools.

Any way to fix the pump or replace only?

[JMAN]

about the fuel pump, I lifted the carpet and the cover screws are rusty to the point where my phillips head rounded one out. I reckon the cover plate has never been removed. I guess the pump is then 13 years old.

[PhilipA]

Any way to fix the pump or replace only?

have a look at my post last week, where I gave the part numbers of some cheap pumps ($100+) vs a whole assembly at $275 or so.
Some will say they can be rebuilt, but they are not easily dismantled needing the crimped bottom to be spread and then rebent. And I wonder about the non return valve, which is maybe your problem.
Regard sPhilip A

[Blknight.aus]

yep fuel pump and while your at it find and change the relay that drives it...

theres a dozen or so threads about using differnt pumps in a v8 disco

the other things to check is the fuel pressure regulator, the one way valve that should be in the pump, the check valve in the return line and the fuel filter.


best of luck

[JMAN]

Thanks the advice on this topic. I'll check the threads and see what my options are.

[LandyAndy]

Hi John
Im guessing you need a new fuel pressure regulator.Asuming the rover V8 runs one.
Had a falcoon that suffered the same problem.
Try turning the key on and off several times before cranking to see if it fixes it,this will give the fuel pump a couple of goes at pressurising the rail before start up.
If the problem is fixed it has to be the reg leaking pressure back to the tank.At least this was the problem we had in the falcoon.
Goodluck
Andrew

[JMAN]

G'day LandyAndy, I did as you mentioned turning the key on and off on and off etc but still no go.
Would the pump relay on my model be the one mounted on a blue holder under the dash, right side of the heater controls? When I turn to the key to 2nd position, I hear a clicking coming from the ECU, though don't hear a click from the pump relay. It's confusing, no click from relay but pump does prime??

[PhilipA]

In an RRC the relay is under the drivers seat in a blue holder, near the ECU.
regards Philip A