Problems Starting and engine stalling when slowing
Discussion
So I've had a bit of a problem over the last week. Started about 5 days ago when my car wouldn't start, engine just kept turning over. Bump started it, got it home, stuck in a new battery and hey presto - seems to take only a couple of turns to start and the windows even sped up when opening/closing. Problem solved?
Not quite. Yesterday it wouldn't start again, but was trying hard to this time. Put it in gear and gave it some gas whilst starting and it spluttered in to life, only to cut out when slowing for a junction. Did the same again, the cut out again at the next junction, where I stopped and fiddled with all the HT leads etc as well as making sure all the electrics I could see under the bonnet (plus battery connections) where OK - seemed to be but I'm no expert. Started again and ran for 10 mins but then cut out again, nursed her to a friends house and then wouldn't start yet again. Note every time that it's done this the engine has been running beforehand and so is very hot.
Couldn't find the problem but thought it was maybe not getting enough fuel. Again just more fiddling, we tried starting with 'quick start' spray in the air filter and it sort of worked. Then we disconnected the pipe circled below (note not my picture engine, just one from google to illustrate) (not sure what the pipe is though, thought something to do with fuel), and it started and got me home (connected it up again obviously). Since then have taped up a few electrics and just generally made sure everything is connected etc and has ran fine, but I am paranoid it will cut out at any moment or won't start when I'm out.
Anyone experienced this before or got any ideas?
Not quite. Yesterday it wouldn't start again, but was trying hard to this time. Put it in gear and gave it some gas whilst starting and it spluttered in to life, only to cut out when slowing for a junction. Did the same again, the cut out again at the next junction, where I stopped and fiddled with all the HT leads etc as well as making sure all the electrics I could see under the bonnet (plus battery connections) where OK - seemed to be but I'm no expert. Started again and ran for 10 mins but then cut out again, nursed her to a friends house and then wouldn't start yet again. Note every time that it's done this the engine has been running beforehand and so is very hot.
Couldn't find the problem but thought it was maybe not getting enough fuel. Again just more fiddling, we tried starting with 'quick start' spray in the air filter and it sort of worked. Then we disconnected the pipe circled below (note not my picture engine, just one from google to illustrate) (not sure what the pipe is though, thought something to do with fuel), and it started and got me home (connected it up again obviously). Since then have taped up a few electrics and just generally made sure everything is connected etc and has ran fine, but I am paranoid it will cut out at any moment or won't start when I'm out.
Anyone experienced this before or got any ideas?
That's the charcoal canister. It stores petrol vapours from the fuel tank and periodically purges them back through the engine. Maybe it's completely clogged? Either way, the general consensus is that you can safely bin the whole assembly, although i believe there is a solenoid which must be kept in place to avoid errors.
Ran it fine yesterday, tested it when I got home after it had sat for 10 mins and started after a couple more turns than usual but still got there first (and second) time. Makes me think it's still there but I can keep driving it for now.
Don't think it's the MAF sensor as when it runs, it runs fine. Not especially low/high revving or any juddering or difficulty in accelerating. Thanks for the ideas though.
Don't think it's the MAF sensor as when it runs, it runs fine. Not especially low/high revving or any juddering or difficulty in accelerating. Thanks for the ideas though.
So this problem went away for a while but in our recent spat of hot weather the issue has returned. It's a bit different - there's no problems with stalling when slowing etc, car actually runs fine. There's an idle droop but i'm aware sometimes the ECU just needs some time to idle and some miles and it sorts itself out.
I tried replacing the MAF sensor but nothing has changed. After a short journey it's fine, but when the engine has been at running temperature for a long time (e.g. the 35min or so commute) it won't start again after leaving it for 10-30mins. After the 30mins or so it'll start first time.
Seems like it only has problems starting when very warm. Even a slight drop in temperature and it always starts - for example I sat for 5 mins with the bonnet open the other day and it started as it had cooled down a bit. And it's not the ignition coil/HT leads, already replaced them a few months ago which fixed another non-starting problem.
Any ideas?
I tried replacing the MAF sensor but nothing has changed. After a short journey it's fine, but when the engine has been at running temperature for a long time (e.g. the 35min or so commute) it won't start again after leaving it for 10-30mins. After the 30mins or so it'll start first time.
Seems like it only has problems starting when very warm. Even a slight drop in temperature and it always starts - for example I sat for 5 mins with the bonnet open the other day and it started as it had cooled down a bit. And it's not the ignition coil/HT leads, already replaced them a few months ago which fixed another non-starting problem.
Any ideas?
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