My FD won\'t start! ... :-(

Martiny · December 10, 2003, 05:06:48 PM

Ok! Glad I helped somebody then :-)

When you floor it, no fuel is pumped in. Once the fuel cleared out, it wont start because there is no fuel to burn. So you need to try it with normal pedal alternately. (I would say just a little bit of throttle, about 1/8th).

Niel, Meryl sent you a dinner invite on email, what happened?

Yes the motor turns easy with the battery, because there is little compression at starting revs. I suppose the lack of springs, levers, chains,etc also helps.

Another reason is that the extra fuel has washed way any oil that was aiding compession. This is why the deflood procedure has a step to squirt oil in the plug holes once theyr out.

Actually, an easier way is to remove the little black rubber pipe for the boost gauge, and put some in there.

airmanuk · December 10, 2003, 11:20:56 PM

Hi Martin,

As far as I know, I didn\'t receive an email from Meryl. Shame because I just live off pasta and fish fingers these days so home cooking would have been a pleasant change.

It could be that my junk mail filter removed it out before I had a chance to check it. I get 7 days, but if I\'m away for that amount of time I might miss the odd one.

Just to confirm my email address as well:

neil_scarrow@hotmail.com.

If you post yours and Meryl\'s email addresses to this forum I can make sure the junk mail filter doesn\'t do the same again. Or just email me normally and I\'ll look out for it. Not working until Sunday.

Regards

Neil

nikp · December 11, 2003, 09:18:06 AM

Well, I\'m still not having any luck starting her, even with a fully recharged battery (Did that last night).

So, I\'m either doing Martins technique wrong, or it just doesn\'t like that technique, or it\'s not flooded and there\'s something more serious that has gone wrong. I have resigned myself to taking the plugs out on saturday, there\'s no point in me wasting any more time trying to start her any other way. If she\'s not flooded, then I will be even more of an unhappy bunny!

Martiny · December 11, 2003, 10:09:01 AM

Nik, where do you live, if you\'re close enough, I can come and have alook if you like.

Neil, check your mail!

nikp · December 11, 2003, 10:30:22 AM

I\'m in bristol. That would be great if you could, but don\'t put yourself out. I\'m don\'t want to put you to too much trouble!

Martiny · December 11, 2003, 11:25:51 AM

Bum and wee :-( Im in Surrey!

nikp · December 11, 2003, 11:27:44 AM

Oh well, never mind. Thanks for the offer anyway!

nikp · December 12, 2003, 08:57:50 AM

I recharged my battery last night, and wanted to see how much voltage was in it afterwards. I noticed that quite quickly the voltage dropped from 13volts to 12.55volts. By this morning it was down to 12.38volts. I presume that this means that the battery is not holding its charge? And if this is the case presumably this will not help my attempts at starting the FD?

I think the battery is in need of replacement.

Martiny · December 12, 2003, 09:25:43 AM

mm I am not sure that your test is enough to condemn the battery, I hope someone else will post a response to that.

Are there an marks on the battery to say when it was made/bought? If its over 3/4 years, then it is probably time for a new one.

nikp · December 12, 2003, 09:28:54 AM

All the writing is in japanese!! I have no idea!!

Ok, another signal is that the battery goes flat very quickly now after a few attempts at starting it. It really doesn\'t last long at all.

But am I right in thinking that if the battery is not too good it certainly won\'t help the situation with trying to start the car?

maximtaylor · December 12, 2003, 10:55:22 AM

There is a secret warehouse dockside in Japan where all the good batteries are taken out and replaced with knackered units prior to shipment

This method reduces disposal costs to the Japanese

What?!?

Max

Martiny · December 12, 2003, 01:14:51 PM

Ok, yes a poor battery will definitely excarsurbate the problem.

Batteries dont last well if left standing in a car for a while, such as on the Japanese or English docks for a few weeks. The Â£60 on a new one is going to be money well spent, I am sure.

nikp · December 12, 2003, 01:17:34 PM

I have also just found out about carbon lock as well. Should I be worried about that? When I take my car out and once it has warmed up, I make sure I get the engine revs well up.

And what are the best places to go for the battery? Do I need any special types of battery? What are the specifications required!? (I don\'t buy batteries for cars often!! :rolleyes: )

clive · December 12, 2003, 05:33:34 PM

Hi Nik,

Couple of things, yep carbon is a killer for a Rotary although not to sure what \'carbon lock\' worst l have heard of a tip sticking in due to build up.

lf you run Shell Optimax or good Super or whatever you should keep it clean, providing you don\'t drive everywhere at 2000 revs Max you should be O/K.

All Rotary\'s have and always will like a good battery on board to start them otherwise you will have em flooding a little!

scooby_si · December 12, 2003, 05:39:07 PM

any recommendations/specifications for battery buying for a FD?
I looked at getting an optima yellow top for my scoob when i went a bit OTT with ICE but the little buggers wouldn\'t fit cause the terminals were on the opposite side & leads woodn\'t stretch that far, oh well saved me a fair few quid getting a cheaper un

but wood like a pointer [read help the ignorant retard

out] on wot to get for FD
Si

My FD won\'t start! ... :-(

airmanuk