Cold Start problem

[jonesy80]

With our sudden cold spell I have been finding that my S2 will not start unless I use the throttle.

After some research I am convinced this is to do with the fuel start valve (bible page 39).

Can anyone show me in a photo where both the Fuel start valve and the Thermotime switch are located.

Can the fuel start valve be serviced at all? and are there any values I can measure to check the Thermotime switch is working properly?

Also if needed where can I find replacment parts?

[ketvrin]

is it the start or the idle thats the problem ?
have you checked your ISCV to see if thats bunged up ?

K

[Jed-S]

Don't know what is on page 39 of your "bible" but you have a 2.9 engine if you have a S2 and the parts you identified sound like K-Jetronic parts from a 2.8.

First of all, is the idle speed control valve working? There was no proper end connector on my wiring loom where it joints the ISCV and there were 2 crimped spade connectors that were prone to failure which caused similar problems. The ISCV is the cylindrical unit on the front of the plenum. It may also be that the ISCV needs cleaning but the 2.9 one isn't that troublesome but a few on here have found that cleaning it resolves idle issues.

If that doesn't fix it then it may be a combination of things. I'd recommend that you get a copy of the Haynes manual for the V6 Sierra that includes the 2.9 supplement. Far more useful than what you have at the moment.

[tvrgit]

Jed-S said:

Don't know what is on page 39 of your "bible" but you have a 2.9 engine if you have a S2 and the parts you identified sound like K-Jetronic parts from a 2.8.

I thought it was just me. I didn't know that the 2.9 had a "fuel start valve"! I looked at p39 of the Steve Heath manual but couldn't see any reference to it there either.

I'd agree that the ISCV is the place to start, although the OP's post on another thread about the engine not running from cold also points to the coolant temp sensor. There is good advice above about cleaning the ISCV.

My car was reeally bad when it was cold, but was ok when it warmed up, so I didn't worry about it too much. I changed the coolant temp sensor and it's now much better. I bought the coolant temp sensor from ebay, and according to the listing, it seems to fit all Fords since time began... Sierra, Granada, Ka, Fiesta, Focus, Transit - it seems to be the same unit giving the same outputs to what is basically the same ECU.

[Gerald-TVR]

tvrgit said:

I bought the coolant temp sensor from ebay, and according to the listing, it seems to fit all Fords since time began... Sierra, Granada, Ka, Fiesta, Focus, Transit - it seems to be the same unit giving the same outputs to what is basically the same ECU.

Hi Andrew do you have the part number by any chance?

Norman

[tvrgit]

Had a look, diescovered I didn't get in on the bay, I ordered it from Simpson Supplies at http://www.sslautoparts.co.uk/

Part No was SI1092 COOLANT TEMP SENSOR FORD - cost was £11 delivered.

They seem to list the same part for loads of stuff.

While I was looking just now, I did find one on the 'bay which says it's for the 2.9, at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Coolant-Temperature-Sen...

[Gerald-TVR]

Thanks

[jonesy80]

Thanks for the replies just to clarify

1. DefInately not the idle control valve as this is brand new and the car idles just fine.
2. The problem only occurs when the car has been parked outside overnight and I first start it in the morning. For about 20-30 secs I have to use the throttle before the engine runs smoothly and ticks over by itself.
3. My bible is obviously differen to everyone elses as it definately mentions fuel start valve and thermotime switch under Bosch L-jetronic for 2.9 V6 - I will try to scan the page in next week.

Think the coolant temp sensor is the cheif suspect - where is this located and does changing it require draining the coolant?

[Jed-S]

Ah, looking through a Bosch reference manual the L-Jetronic did have a cold start injector and thermotime switch until the "later half of the 1980s". The L-Jetronic is a Bosch system and isn't Ford specific and as the Ford 2.9 is from the late 80s it may not have these units.

If your ISCV is working then give the temperature sensor a go. It is under the throttle bodies and is the bigger of the two sensors. Any coolant loss will be minimal as it is at a high point of the engine.

[tvrgit]

when I changed mine I loosened the old one and then had the new one in my hand as I unscrewed the old one. As soon as the old one came out I screwed the new one in. After the first couple of threads, it stops leaking. As Jed says, coolant loss was practically zero.

[phillpot]

jonesy80 said:

My bible is obviously different to everyone elses as it definately mentions fuel start valve and thermotime switch under Bosch L-jetronic for 2.9 V6 - I will try to scan the page in next week.

Yes, mine does, page 48 ?

think Mr Heath got things a bit muddled when he wrote that chapter coz I can't find them on my 2.9 engine ?