Sportrak not starting

TullyK · Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:01 pm Post subject: Sportrak not starting

Hello, my Sportrak has been misbehaving for a while; poor acceleration, lower gears needed on hills. Yesterday it got really bad and today it won't start. I've given it a new set of spark plugs, dizzy cap and a rotor. The plugs seemed to make a difference when the went in (the old ones were very black) and it ran well for a drive around, then the symptoms set in again.

I have used the test plug to see if the ECU has any fault codes, but I get one flash - normal.

There's plenty of fuel being pumped through the filter and no restriction of air reaching the throttle body.

Any ideas? All forms of help will be greatly appreciated. Trying to sort this out asap. Thank you in advance.

TullyK · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:21 pm Post subject:

Can just about get it running if I put a fixed resistor on the coolant sensor plug to make it think it's hot. Doesn't solve the problem though, but proves it can run slightly still.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx4VTy1F6Hk&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1qSU9SAG3g

Xpajun · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 4:20 pm Post subject:

TullyK · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 4:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that, I have in fact seen it before. The only thing I can't say I've checked is the injectors, but the plugs are wet when they come out, still could be overfuelling. It now runs for about 20-30 seconds, never getting more than about 6-700 rpm, slowly dying. There was however not any black smoke when it ran but badly.

Tractor Stig · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 6:31 pm Post subject:

you have black smoke, wet plugs, so its overfuelling, it runs when you convince it its hot, so its gotta be choke/sensor related I would of thought.

TullyK · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject:

Sorry that's my mistake, it was meant to read 'no black smoke' not 'now black smoke'

Also worth pointing out it's an injection model.

Tractor Stig · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:01 pm Post subject:

Tractor Stig · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:04 pm Post subject:

sorry just re read yes you have played with it.

Tractor Stig · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:14 pm Post subject:

just watched your vid, I reckon it sounds like a fuel issue of too little, especially if you have no smoke.

TullyK · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:14 pm Post subject:

The plugs are wet and going black though, so there is fuel going in and it's not burning properly. Since it's the same case in all cylinders I'm not sure it can be injectors.

Really I need a new ignition coil to complete before I can be certain it's not that.

Thanks for your help so far

Tractor Stig · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 10:38 pm Post subject:

so is the ecu pushing in too much fuel then, thinking its cold, but it hardly runs at all does it, timing off?

TullyK · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 1:31 am Post subject:

Don't think it's timing because, before it wouldn't start at all, sometimes it would run OK and then sometimes badly. The dizzy's not loose and the timing belt is only 18months/10k miles old. Thanks

Tractor Stig · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 11:45 am Post subject:

have you changed/checked your ht leads? I'd doo that too.

TullyK · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject:

Poured water over them when it was running but low on power, didn't affect anything but I'll replace them anyway. Thanks

Tractor Stig · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 6:36 pm Post subject:

running out of ideas tbh

Nathaniel · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:08 pm Post subject:

Have you replaced the air filter and fuel filter?

Is the exhaust blocked?

Ducky · Just got MTs Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Odometer: 302

Have you done a compression test? I'm wondering if it may be head gasket related. Mine was the same (poor running etc), but would still run and drive, just slower than usual...even passed MOT emissions but upon pulling the head off we saw the head gasket had gone....

Sportrak's are known for it too! : Shocked

TullyK · Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:36 pm Post subject:

Fuel and air filter are fine, exhaust seems OK but can't say I've looked inside...

I haven't done a compression check. I don't think it's mechanical because sometimes it would drive OK (before not starting occurred) and I don't see how that can be the case if a headgasket or piston ring has gone. Oil looks fine too, although it does burn a fair bit.