V8S Ten minute breakdown

[Andy Lynch]

I don't know if anyone has come across a problem like this before, Last
night I took the S for a spin, and after about 10 miles stopped for some
petrol, once I had filled up, the car would not start, the fuel pump primed,
the engine turned, but it would not start, I don't think there was a spark.
After about 10-15 mins I tried it again and it started. Any ideas would be
appreciated

Thanks

Andy

[Griffinr]

Things like this are usually connection problem, had similar on mine, it would stop occasionally the start after a few minutes. Disconnected everthing I could find, cleaned the connections, applied lots of vasoline and re-connected. The large multiplug alongside the fuel rail is a common culprit. And of course don't forget the dreaded yellow connector on the steering column.

Rob.

[Gerald-TVR]

Griffinr said:

. And of course don't forget the dreaded yellow connector on the steering column.

Rob.

+1

[Deeman]

Had this on the V6 and changed the yellow connector. Also changed the starter motor for a new one, but still caused occasional issue when it was hot. It generally needed to cool down a bit before guaranteed ignition. In the end, it looked like a coil issue. The only way to start it when it misbehaved was to rock the car in first gear for some bizarre reason. After that it just seemed to fire up!

[Andy Lynch]

Thanks for the reply and ideas,

Been out in the S again today and the same thing happened, got back home and cut the engine to go in and open the garage, got back in the car and it would not start, again. Went in, had a brew, and after 10 - 15 mins went back out and it started.

Andy

[v8s4me]

Coil breaking down when hot maybe?

[Bobhon]

I don't know what this is, but I have had exactly the same symptoms on my V8S. It definitely improved after I changed the spark plugs and ignition leads set.

I can get a warm/hot restart now every time by applying about 3/4 throttle and it generally fires up as I am lifting off. I have presumed that this is the well known (see the Chimaera forum) overfueling on hot restart issue that no-one seems to have a fix for...
Opening the throttle leans off the mixture a little and blows out the petrol rich mixture. I presume that subsequent closing of the throttle richens the mixture until it will give a restart?

I have also considered that the temperature sensor may be duff (technical term) so the ECU thinks that the engine is cold and gives it loads of choke. I've just brought a new sensor from eBay and I will change it when the car comes back from the mechanics having an injector changed.

I'd be more than happy to find out what the actual cause is and how to fix it though.

Bob

[Oldred_V8S]

Try disconnecting the ECU and then reconnect it. I had a similar issue on mine two years ago and this resolved it, never had a problem since.

[Deeman]

Thinking about it, and reading this again - mine was slightly different but with the same effect. Mine didnt even click the solenoid onm the starter moment until cooled on those occassions. I note yours actually turns over - so does sound like a fuelling issue. (mabye some kind of heat induced vapour lock?)

[Andy Lynch]

Thanks for the info,

Been out in it tonight and after I cut the engine I re started it, however a minute or so later it wouldn't start again, there was definatly a spark, so it does not look like its the coil / ignition system, so could be too much or too little fuel. It did restart a few minutes later so I guess I can live with it, until I can clean the connectors, maybe swap the temp sensor, reset the ECU, and what ever else anyone can suggest, I also need to see if I have a yellow connector.

Thanks

Andy

[GreenV8S]

Those are classic symptoms of an electronic breakdown. Although you say you have a spark, some ignition failures leave it able to spark in fresh air but not produce a strong enough spark to light the mixture.

[Andy Lynch]

So will that be coil related, or something else?

thanks

Andy

[Tall_Blk]

Used to have the exact same problem with my V8S. It did it for weeks until eventually one day it refused to start to which I though good, I can sort it out now. After checking everything, it turned out to be loose connection on the distribution cap. For the past two years now car running beautifully.

[B16JUS]

I had this twice this week, usually i never touch the accelerator when starting but in order to get it to start a quick touch when cranking fires it into life.

Dont think its a hot start problem but until it never starts will just put up with it

[Andy Lynch]

Thanks for the info,

My hot start problem developed into a cold start problem as well. The engine was turning over, not very fast, but I thought fast enough, I had a spark, but it was not starting. I swapped the battery for a smaller but good one and it started. So best part of 100 squids later and a new big battery, hammerite on the battery stand and bingo, so far no problem. Oh and I changed the coil.

I will keep you informed if the problem returnes

Thanks

Andy

[B16JUS]

Andy Lynch said:

Thanks for the info,

My hot start problem developed into a cold start problem as well. The engine was turning over, not very fast, but I thought fast enough, I had a spark, but it was not starting. I swapped the battery for a smaller but good one and it started. So best part of 100 squids later and a new big battery, hammerite on the battery stand and bingo, so far no problem. Oh and I changed the coil.

I will keep you informed if the problem returnes

Thanks

Andy

Does a battery crank more power when hot starting ?

So as the battery sorted it fully ?

[GreenV8S]

B16JUS said:

Does a battery crank more power when hot starting ?

Batteries don't like being very hot or cold, they like being at a nice comfortable temperature (just like me).

The engine doesn't like being cold either - the oil gets thicker meaning more drag and needing more current to churn the engine over. So it is generally easier to turn the engine over when it's hot, and also easier to get the fuel to evaporate and mix and burn so the engine catches when everything is hot. But resistance goes up with temperature, and metal expands and can start tightening up clearances, so the starter motor itself probably won't work as well when it's really hot. In fact the colder the starter is the better it will probably work. But the engine wants to be hot, and the battery wants to be cosy but not too hot. Sometimes it's a wonder these things start at all.

[Andy Lynch]

Thanks for that, so far after the new coil and battery, it has always started, hot or cold, but, I have only been out in it a few times, so touch wood, fingers crossed, ect. I will keep you informed.

Oh, central locking now working, wood steering wheel and gear knob now on, looking forward to spring, and using it for more than a run to ASDA.

Andy

[Barkychoc]

Reading this the thing that sprung to mind was the ignition module on the dizzy - I have read these can fail or play up when hot - maybe stopping gives it some heat soak from the engine but 10 minutes later it's cooled off enough to work again.