estfna

Here's the problem.
1999 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Petrol.
Turn the key and the starter motor turns but the engine doesn't catch. It happend on Thursday so we jacked it up because we thought it might have been the fuel filter, gave it a bang and it started, so we assumed an air lock. Put it on the driveway a few hours ago and went out after about an hour to start it, same problem again. Starter motor turns, nothing else.

Ideas?

simeon69

try changing the fuel filter! is it fuel injection or single point? also possible duff fuel pump whats it like at idle and driving?

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cellaratt

Could also be the float getting stuck which would explain why it started after you banged on it...

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Lost Soul

Im not mechanic but i think we have found the answer

Have you tried some ford forums? maybe the plugs, anyway they are usually littered with boffins who can help

if it costs more than £40-50 to fix then.....

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Slamdog

either spark plug gaps / distributor problem or a fuel supply issue.

take one plug out, leave the ht lead on it... hold it against the block. try starting the car. if you forgot to wear latex gloves then you will feel the spark, if you did wear gloves then you should see a spark. it should be strong and blue. if it doesnt spark then look at the ht leads, then the distributor, then the coil... this is assuming conventional ignition rather than electronic (which the old 1300 crossflow 711m block never had).

was the plug wet when you took it out? if it was then it is flooded.. indicating an auto choke failure (if fitted) or a jammed open needle valve in the float chamber.

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The Project

I take you banged the fuel filter filter? It will not be fuel pump IMO as the pump is not under pressure when your car is trying to start or iddle ( just when it needs petrol at speed) Again IMO this is something electrical. We can all have a go at what is wrong, but at the end of the the day you have to work through a system of checks to find problem electical or fuel.
Good luck

The Project

DO not get me started on the good old crossflow, my youth blown more up and rebilt then had hot dinners ( road , race and rally mods)

kentlad

ive had it happen to me with my motorbike, is it turning but not engaging with the engine? may need new starter motor mate,give it a bump start

simeon69

can i just ask why when the car is starting idling thats its not under pressure has i assumed that the fuel pump is what creates the pressure in the first place? i.e when you switch the ignition on the fuel pump whires is that not creating moving petrol? not starting/slating etc jus thats ive not longed passed my course and just would like a better understanding

thanks sim

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PAIN IS TEMPORARY FAILURE LASTS FOREVER!!

estfna

plugs are working fine, dry when taken out, strong spark on them. single point, i banged the filter not the tank and the float would only influence the petrol meter anyway.

its single, not injection.

it doesn't start so i can't tell what it's like it idle, however between saturday morning when we sorted it (well thought we did) and tonight it was running fine, no problems which i why i assumed an air block. i'm leaning towards the possibility of a dodgy filter though, because even when intentionally flooded plugs are still dry. only a 10 minute job to replace, but still, pain in the ****.

estfna

definately not the starter motor, that works fine, belts turn, sounds etc...

i'm pretty sure it's something to do with the fuel system, filter is directly in front of the tank, and i think pump is under bonnet.

maybe electrical, but the car is stoneage so it's doubtful.

coco

replace the fuel filter, 5 min job, might be bklocked with sh*t


failing that coil pack imo.


famous on the fords

an btw its still injection if its single point, just not mpi

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cellaratt

I wasn't refering to the float in the tank but I was also refering to a motor that was carborated, not fuel injected...

__________________
The little men who live behind my eyes and scream directly at my brain told me to tell you hello.
The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance.
On the journey of life I choose the psychopath
If your not part of the solution than your part of the problem.
I'm like a Super Hero with no powers or motivation.

Slamdog

we are talking an old ford here... mechanical pump all the way...

the fuel in the float chamer is enough to start the car, if not, just cranking the engine will fill the float bowl on a mech pump. once full, the float closes the needle valve which forces any overpressure back into the tank return line.

carb engines are effectively a vacuum feed device relying on variable pressures to fuel the engine rather than the pressurised forced induction of a fuel injected system.

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estfna

i was referring to sim, he asked single or inj. actually i'm assuming it's single, because that's what my mum said as it is her car, but she doesn't know anything about them, just the answer she gave when i asked. i'll have to check that actually.

also mechanical pump as said above. no electrics, no buzzing on turning ignition.