Help with my barn find Chimaera 400HC

[Cant Race a Racer]

So, I have just bought a Chimaera that has sat for at least 10 years un-run due to an immobiliser issue.

Its a lovely car and such a shame to have sat so long so I'm going to need some help and advice.

I have now managed to get the car turning over and have fitted a brand new genuine Bosch fuel pump as the other was not working. Can get the ignition on, fuel pump energises and the car turns over but will not fire.

There is fuel in the rail under pressure (quite dirty fuel but I have added some new fuel but not a lot). I have also pulled the fuel pipe off that is close to the bulk head and fuel squirts out whilst cranking.

However, it will not start. I have tried a couple of chuffs of brake cleaner in the intake (its all I had at the time) and it certainly wants to fire (I have a good spark at the plugs which I have pulled out and cleaned).

So, do you think it could be the injectors have completely gummed up with the fuel being in the system for so long? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[baconsarney]

Replace all fuel lines before going any further would be my best advice. I had one split a few years ago on start up so no heat but potential for major fire is huge, I was lucky… if you don’t replace as least have a good extinguisher to hand…

[baconsarney]

On a brighter note enjoy they’re great (if a bit agricultural) sports cars…

[Wicker Man]

It sounds like you’ve managed to bypass two of the three immobilised circuits: Fuel & starter. Now you just need to provide power for the third, so that you have an ignition spark.
I can’t remember if that’s the ECU or the ignition amplifier. Best you prod around with a multimeter.

[Cant Race a Racer]

Wicker Man said:

It sounds like you ve managed to bypass two of the three immobilised circuits: Fuel & starter. Now you just need to provide power for the third, so that you have an ignition spark.
I can t remember if that s the ECU or the ignition amplifier. Best you prod around with a multimeter.

I do have a spark at the plugs

[Cant Race a Racer]

baconsarney said:

Replace all fuel lines before going any further would be my best advice. I had one split a few years ago on start up so no heat but potential for major fire is huge, I was lucky if you don t replace as least have a good extinguisher to hand

Good advice thank you

[Belle427]

I would certainly do as suggested and clean the fuel system new hoses and filter.
Get yourself a set of noid lights to see if you have injector pulse.
Spark should be easy to check, I would install a new set of plugs though.

[Dudley99]

It's the old fuel. I cannot even get my lawnmowers to run on fuel that has been stored over winter. Drain the tank, put some fresh V Power in and see what happens.

[portzi]

Another one saved, well done

[lancepar]

You haven't said if the plugs are wet after spinning the engine over for a bit, ie not just a quick turn of the key.

[Cant Race a Racer]

Thank you for the advice everyone. I shall certainly do what has been suggested and keep you updated. Pic of when I rescued the car.

[pits]

Watch you don't borewash it, if you're cranking it over and just firing fuel in you'll drop all compression, plugs out and get some oil in the bores, then drain tank and fresh fuel.

[BMWM2Black]

Cant Race a Racer said:

Thank you for the advice everyone. I shall certainly do what has been suggested and keep you updated. Pic of when I rescued the car.

Wowsers....what about the Merc, did you grab that too?

[JD1000]

I had a similar issue. Sat for many many years.
So as recommended, replace all lines, injectors, and fuel pump. Empty tank, and flush everything with clean fuel before you even try and start it.
And check the oil pressure first - either as suggested, tip oil into the cylinders, or prime the oil pump.

[Peter M]

Having the same issue with my S2 which I am bringing back to life after 4-5 years off the road. Engine turned, had a spark, plugs wet but it would not fire.
I syphoned the old fuel out of the tank via the fuel gauge hole, then added a gallon of E5, purged the fuel through to the fuel rail by redirecting the hose to fuel rail into a jerry can and running the fuel pump.
Fires up now and ticks over but runs rough. I think the fuel is 50/50 new and old now as there was still old in the tank sump. So planning to empty tank and attempt to change the fuel pickup filter in the sump. Then new fuel hose to the pump and new filter and try again.

Good luck with yours