Engine trouble
 

Hi all, hope someone here knows what this is, my engine keeps flooding usually when I disconnect the battery or sometimes when the fuel rail is disconnected. When I connect back up again it wont fire atall and just stinks of petrol . Only way to get it to start again is to take out the plugs and heat them with a blow torch then it starts no trouble. After I have done that it will start ok for the next few days.

Its had the block rebored, new turbo, plugs, leads, cap . and the injectors have been serviced by a fuel injection specialist. I'm thinking it could be the fuel pressure regulator but I don't know how to check this ??. Any suggestions much appreciated

put a fuel gauge into the fuel line, i've got one permentley fitted.

Cool, where is the tapping for the gauge on these engines ??

mine is in the line just after the fuel filter.

Just undo the jubilee clip and remove the fuel hose on the exit of the fuel regulator and get someone to switch the ignition on while you hold the test meter up tight against the hose. The meter will have a cone shaped flexi gromet on the end to make it easier.

Test the pressures before and after the regulator.


Alternatively it may just be flooding because you have an intermittent sparking problem or your ignition timing isnt set properly. Other than that poor compression can stop a car starting

Thanks for all help and suggestions I'll check them all. I'm wondering if it's worth buying a fuel pressure gauge or getting the fuel injection specialist to check it for me if they are really expensive. Sure does seem to be super thirsty for only a 1.8 litre engine it seems to use £10 of unleaded just backing out the garage a few times. Sure I read in nissan press release they could do 45 mpg at 56 MPH ..i would be happy with just 30 when i'm just commuting to work

I took a plug out tonight and sparked it of another running engine and result was no spark.. after cleaning again it worked perfect so i guess plug fouling is my problem but why it fouls up so badly is a mystery :confused: . Hope it clears up when I get it back on the road... maybe the rings just need bedding in to stop it oiling the plugs up :confused:

it wont be the rings unless there damaged or the bores were not calculated properly for the rebore.A fuel gauge is about £15. Also do a compression test,

Is it oil or is it fuel on the plugs? Does the car smoke or breath heavy?

Compression was 140 psi on all cylinders after the rebuild which seemed a bit low to me . I'm pretty certain the bores are sized properly as the ring gaps were all ok.

The plugs are black like it's been running too rich and soaked in oily petrol. I don't think i'm burning much oil now as the exhaust never smokes

Just undo the jubilee clip and remove the fuel hose on the exit of the fuel regulator and get someone to switch the ignition on while you hold the test meter up tight against the hose. The meter will have a cone shaped flexi gromet on the end to make it easier.

Test the pressures before and after the regulator.

Won't I need to test the regulator with the engine running as it relies on vacuum in the manifold to control pressure if i understand corrctly. Maybe i'm missing something

Thats a good point.Im getting to used to working on fixed rate regulators at work :o . Install a t piece on the fuel line then.Sorry.

to fit a fuel pressure gauge, its as shuan said, i had one on mine too coz my fuel reg went badly wrong and doubled the pressure, you put a T bit in the pipe between the fuel filter and the regulator, and then connect the gauge to the 3rd exit off the T bit.

i personnally would be worried to use your idea pukka, i always end up covered in petrol unless things are tightly piped up :D just clumsy i guess :trout

If my regulator is faulty would it be best to fit an aftermarket adjustable regulator behind the fuel rail ahead of the filter ??...i guess Nissan would want arm and a leg for a new fuel rail and regulator and a used might be no better ??

I have a fuel rail and regulator kicking about somewhere no doubt so forget nissan:)

Its not my idea. Its a 'lo-gauge'. Its the one below
http://www.mgocaccessories.co.uk/acatalog/Z001.jpg

Thanks everyone for the help, especially adz and pukka :)..I got a gunson's colortune and timing light and they seem to work ok, didnt think they did a pressure gauge too.

I managed to find a T piece and an old air pressure gauge and measured the fuel pressure as 35 psi (idling) and 42 psi at WOT so the pressure regulator is working some as far as I can tell but i'm not sure what the spec is

Car flooded again today and I had to take the plugs out and blowtorch them...not going to be very convenient carrying a torch with me incase the engine floods :) . Tryed removing the fuel pump fuse and flooring accelerator but this didn't work :(

So far I have : -

Checked timing 18 deg BTDC
cleaned AFM with white spirit and paintbrush
changed engine temp sender
adjusted valve clearances
checked earths at coil and swapped rotor, cap & leads

I tried adjusting the idle CO with the screw on the AFM but it doesn't seem to affect the idle and just turns and turns.....do they go clockwise to weaken the mixture ??