214 non start

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Discussion

silverthorn2151

Original Poster:

6,310 posts

186 months

Wednesday 6th October 2010
quotequote all
Evening all, my first visit to this sub-forum.

My son's 1998 214 is driving me mad in that it won't start.

He caught the exhaust on something the other day and clearly damaged it based on the noise. He parked it outside and I said I'd take a look.

Simply won't start. Turns over ok but nothing.

Had the AA check it out. Got a spark at each plug but wouldn't fire even with carb cleaner sprayed up the spout.

I thought that perhaps a baffle had blocked the exhaust. Split the exhaust this afternoon at the end of the front pipe, put some fuel in it. Still nothing.

Again turns over fine and sounds like it's thinking about firing but nope.

Any ideas oh learned Rover gurus?

Of course, Dad's lying in the driveway covered in crud, Son's up the pub after work. I'm too easy on that boy!



timbo48

688 posts

189 months

Wednesday 6th October 2010
quotequote all
Bashed exhaust could just be a coincidence. How long was it left outside your house? It's getting to that time of year again when the damp gets to engines. Try drying all the plug leads and distributer cap and/or using WD40. Both times ours has failed to start has been due to this problem.

silverthorn2151

Original Poster:

6,310 posts

186 months

Wednesday 6th October 2010
quotequote all
I did think of that and checked leads and cap. Seem ok.

I am starting to think it might be a weak battery. Turning it over leave not enough juice for a strong spark.

Bit concerned about the immobiliser as well.

Hate feeling like it's got me beaten.

stevescleenz

9 posts

169 months

Friday 8th October 2010
quotequote all
check the fuel cut off switch, sometimes after a hard bump the fuel cut switch kicks in

callyman

3,157 posts

219 months

Sunday 17th October 2010
quotequote all
stevescleenz said:
check the fuel cut off switch, sometimes after a hard bump the fuel cut switch kicks in
+1, do you have fuel pressure?

silverthorn2151

Original Poster:

6,310 posts

186 months

Sunday 17th October 2010
quotequote all
Well i think we have feul into the pots, not sure at what pressure though.

It won't fire if I squirt carb cleaner up the intake though.

Really stuck for ideas now.

callyman

3,157 posts

219 months

Sunday 17th October 2010
quotequote all
Crank position sensor could be shot.
Also are the injectors firing?

silverthorn2151

Original Poster:

6,310 posts

186 months

Sunday 17th October 2010
quotequote all
The plugs have fuel on them, and they are sparking.

It almost feels like the timing has slipped. Would the crankcase sensor manifest itself as that, and is it a fixer I can deal with?

callyman

3,157 posts

219 months

Sunday 17th October 2010
quotequote all
replace the sensor, should be a simple ish job

callyman

3,157 posts

219 months

Sunday 17th October 2010
quotequote all
Or whilst hitting the exhaust, has he broken a wire somewhere?

silverthorn2151

Original Poster:

6,310 posts

186 months

Sunday 31st October 2010
quotequote all
Got it going.

Changed the plugs. Still no joy.

Changed the rotor arm and cap (even though they seemed fine and were not that old), squirt of carb cleaner upthe pipe, bit of churning and away she went!

After that I spoke to a chap who runs a garage who said, 'oh yes, always the rotor arms on them'.

smile