It won't start

[brainbug007]

So I've got all my leaks sorted now except for the radiator. I've got the bike carbs mounted and the fuel line fitted. Bike pump runs and charges up the pressure (ran for about 30 secs slowing down till it stopped). I held the throttle open slightly with a screwdriver and tried to start the engine. It cranks and you can hear what sounds like air being released but doesn't start up. After letting it crank a bit then turning the key off, I tried again. Still no joy and after a few minutes of trying this the battery seemed to die as the battery light on the dash got really dim while cranking and it sounded like it was really struggling to crank. I took the battery off thinking it must just not have had enough charge and sure enough it was empty when I connected it up to the charger. I left it for a couple of hours till it had a good charge and tried again but with no luck. So I'm guessing enough fuel/air mixture isn't getting through from the carbs into the head or I've got no spark. Any ideas what I can check to get it going? (note I'm running a 1.8 CVH CFi with a bike carb conversion so it's distributor-less and trying to start it up in limp home mode with only the edis and no megajolt)

[twinturbo]

Take a spare spark plug, pop it in the end of one of the plug leads, then connect a jump lead from the metal thread of the plug to the negative on the battery.

Turn it over and see if you get a spark.

TT

[brainbug007]

Ok so I don't have a spare spark plug. Noob question but are they all the same size etc as I'll need to go buy one from somewhere.. I suppose if i need to replace them I'll need a tool to get them out like http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...d=0CLsBEPMCMAc ?

[mark]

Originally Posted by brainbug007

Ok so I don't have a spare spark plug. Noob question but are they all the same size etc as I'll need to go buy one from somewhere.. I suppose if i need to replace them I'll need a tool to get them out like http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...d=0CLsBEPMCMAc ?

I take it you havnt taken them out already then if you have no tool to do it!

You may have damaged them when you had the head off if they were left in place

Definately get a tool, get a new set of plugs and then check for spark, a local motor factors will sort you out

It should fire really easy, even in limp mode, mine fired first go

You probably have damaged plugs or no spark or possibly both!

[ayjay]

If the engine has been standing for some time you may be short of compression due to the lack of oil in the rings . Try a squirt of oil down the plug ports then spin over a bit before putting plugs back in (having checked for spark).
Its worked for me in the past.

[mark]

Remember to check that you have oil pressure before you start it up once you get the spark sorted

[brainbug007]

Ya the plugs are the original donor ones and where left in thru removing the engine and taking the head off to fix the gasket leak.

How do I check I have oil pressure though? I have the pressure sensor connected and the light comes on the dash but that won't go out till the engine is running?

Also, are all spark plugs the same size so I don't need to worry about getting the wrong size or wrong size tool for removing them?

[vmax1974]

I would invest in an oil pressure gauge there worth there weight and will tell you if something is wrong before your engine lets go

[twinturbo]

there's usualy 3 sizes of car spark plug.

If you want to confirm spark, pull off a lead, rest a screwdriver inside the lead so that it touches the internal conductor and find somwhere else that allows the shaft to me 2-3mm away from a clean metal component of the engine. You should get a spark from the shaft of the screwdriver to the engine.

TT

[mark]

If you turn it over for long enough with oil in, the light should go out (without fuel or spark at this point, but with plugs fitted)

Just ask for spark plugs for a 1.8cvh and then a plug socket to suit