rebuilt FD won\'t start......

[jonny]

Just thought i\'d rack the forums brains and see if any ideas are thrown up?!

i\'ve just finished my d.i.y rebuild on my \'93 FD engine which has also included permanent non sequential conversion, battery relocated to boot and custom front mount.

I have good compression, i have spark and also a good supply of fuel, it turns over and tries to fire but doesnt catch and run?!?!

i\'m spending today double checking everything but wondered if anyone had any tips or known difficulties in startign a rebuilt engine?

i\'ve also noticed that when i turn it over both the fans turn once? any ideas if this is normal?

i know its a bit vague and i\'m not asking for a direct solution, more of a helping hand with known mistakes/faults/problems!

cheers guys!

[nikp]

A rebuilt engine should start immediately without any problems whatsoever. Also fans turning over once is not normal. Otherwise i don\'t really have an answer. Are the CAS plugged in? Are they plugged in correctly? Are you using good plugs (Not old ones)?

[jonny]

I took alot of photos during strip down so for most of the wiring it was just a case of looking at the photos and copying it, so both the CAS are plugged in exactly as they were when it was last running.

plugs are brand new......

appreciate your input tho!

[bin liner]

when u say u have fuel, are your plugs wet? or is the pump just activated?  Sometime injecters can seize if not used for some time....you can try and use a bit of easy start to kick start it.....be careful with the stuff it is volatile (dont throw a tip)...also known people to inject a bit of atf (Transmission fluid) into the plug hole of engine to try and start a new engine( should improve compression)...if u have used new housings and tips it will be a bitch to start first time....had the same problem...other suggestions..

Do u have good fuel pressure?
Is your coolant temp sensor plugged in? (Will make it a bitch to start if connector or cable is knackered)
Strong spark?
Plug leads on the right way?
All plugs under dash plugged in, inc big blue one...
Do the relays click when ignition turned on...if not check egi fuse and relay(i suppose if u have fuel and spark then this is ok)

could be so many things....broken wiring etc  hope this helps

[Clarky]

Is the fuel feed on the right pipe, saying this as it was my problem. check timing plugs.

[nikp]

if u have used new housings and tips it will be a bitch to start first time....had the same problem...other suggestions..

Just like to say I disagree with this comment based on my own experiences! Mine started straight away 2 years ago on 2 brand 2 housings and spex seals...and started straight away this time around on a brand new housing.

[nikp]

Also, i had the coolant temp sensor plugged in incorrectly (was plugged into the fuel temp sensor and vice versa!) and mine was a bitch to start.....but it did start.

[clive]

Here\'s another it could be,

The primary injector plugs will plug onto the secondary injectors and vise versa and the car will not start

[Martiny]

If the fans are coming on, the ECU "thinks" the car is warm, whereas in fact, it is cold. This will cause the ECU to inject too little fuel, it needs to be much richer for a cold start.

Check the connector behind the thermostat.

If you want o prove thats its too lean, try this:

Remove the liitle black rubber hoses for boost gauge, and blow off valve from the inlet manifold.

Now use a syringe and inject some petrol in there, about 2 mils in each. Now try and start it, and if it starts, we know its too lean.

[mx1311]

when you say good compression, how much???

did you clearance your side seals properly?

[hairyhoover]

i had the same issue, i had to tow mine to get it going.

[DRAGON]

Here\'s another it could be,

The primary injector plugs will plug onto the secondary injectors and vise versa and the car will not start

The primary injector connectors are taped together and will only stretch a couple of centre meters and the secondarys are much further apart, so I think this would be nearly impossible.
If everything is ok with the engine, then I would recommend a full deflood and then try it again with a good very good battery, and once started keep it alive for a while, obviously monitoring all temps etc.

[jonny]

cheers for all the replies, really appreciate everyones input!

i\'ll hopefully be able to get back on it tomorrow night and go through everything with a fresh view, i\'ll keep you updated with progress?

[m1tch]

Flooded the engine? I also saw that you relocated the battery, have you tried to run it when its in the engine bay, incase for some reason its not got enough juice to run the starter motor and give a good spark?

[Joeh]

immobilizer?