Duncanofengland
Junior Member
- Messages
- 86
I've owned my Ghibli for many years. I bought it as an insurance write-off with accident damage to the lh rear quarter, hub and suspension mountings. This I rectified with bolt-on parts, plus panel repair and a repaint. Then it got pushed to the back of my workshop because the engine wouldn't start.
When I got round to spending time on it again, I discovered that cause was a melted/siezed fuel pump, which I replaced, and soon she was running again. Months passed - and next time I tried to start her, fuel supply was non existent, an unbelievably, the 2nd pump had melted/siezed. The cause was some sort of additive in the petrol, so I drained and refilled the tank with fresh petrol, replaced the fuel pump again - and she started.
Time passed - and next time I went to start her - no joy. So off she went to the naughty corner.
Two days ago she emerged again, due only to me parting a couple of other cars which resulted in her being pushed into the work area. I was determined to get her running this time.
Surprisingly, the fuel pump was still working - and a good head of fuel at the fuel rail - but she wouldn't start. I tested for a spark - none present. I pulled out my wiring schematic, checked all of the fuses and found 1 to be faulty. Ah ha! I thought - this'll be the culprit. I replaced the fuse and was rewarded with working wipers, but no spark. At least that's one other fault that I won't have to trace...
There was 12v in all the right places - the ECU feed, the electronic ignition modules and the spark coils.. I was beginning to suspect that the ECUs had packed up, so I disconnected one of the fuel injector plugs and plugged in a known good injector. Whilst I was cranking the engine, I held on to the injector and I could feel it pulsing - so at least one ECU was working.
I tested the 4 shaft position sensors - 800 or so ohms when static - rising and falling a bit as the engine was cranking. Everything seemed good, so I checked once more for a spark - YES! there it was - one spark as the engine cranked twice. I put everything back together - but still no joy. So I replaced the spark plugs - still no joy.
Finally, and in desparation (don't try this a home!) I disconnected one of the air input pipes, upturned the leading edge and poured about 25cc of petrol into the orifice. I cranked the engine - and - hey presto - she ran for a few seconds!
I concluded that the fuel injectors must be faulty..
Today I removed the fuel injectors. I set up a test rig - a battery and injector lead, to test for function. I was right - no clicking from the injector as voltage was applied. I suspect that whatever had stuck up the fuel pump had also stuck the pintel in the injector. A judicious tap of the injector against a hard surface had the desired effect. I then flushed the injectors with cellulose thinners by filling them to the brim with and firing the pintel until the injector drained.
I put all the bits back in the right place and voila! She fired up!
More later...
When I got round to spending time on it again, I discovered that cause was a melted/siezed fuel pump, which I replaced, and soon she was running again. Months passed - and next time I tried to start her, fuel supply was non existent, an unbelievably, the 2nd pump had melted/siezed. The cause was some sort of additive in the petrol, so I drained and refilled the tank with fresh petrol, replaced the fuel pump again - and she started.
Time passed - and next time I went to start her - no joy. So off she went to the naughty corner.
Two days ago she emerged again, due only to me parting a couple of other cars which resulted in her being pushed into the work area. I was determined to get her running this time.
Surprisingly, the fuel pump was still working - and a good head of fuel at the fuel rail - but she wouldn't start. I tested for a spark - none present. I pulled out my wiring schematic, checked all of the fuses and found 1 to be faulty. Ah ha! I thought - this'll be the culprit. I replaced the fuse and was rewarded with working wipers, but no spark. At least that's one other fault that I won't have to trace...
There was 12v in all the right places - the ECU feed, the electronic ignition modules and the spark coils.. I was beginning to suspect that the ECUs had packed up, so I disconnected one of the fuel injector plugs and plugged in a known good injector. Whilst I was cranking the engine, I held on to the injector and I could feel it pulsing - so at least one ECU was working.
I tested the 4 shaft position sensors - 800 or so ohms when static - rising and falling a bit as the engine was cranking. Everything seemed good, so I checked once more for a spark - YES! there it was - one spark as the engine cranked twice. I put everything back together - but still no joy. So I replaced the spark plugs - still no joy.
Finally, and in desparation (don't try this a home!) I disconnected one of the air input pipes, upturned the leading edge and poured about 25cc of petrol into the orifice. I cranked the engine - and - hey presto - she ran for a few seconds!
I concluded that the fuel injectors must be faulty..
Today I removed the fuel injectors. I set up a test rig - a battery and injector lead, to test for function. I was right - no clicking from the injector as voltage was applied. I suspect that whatever had stuck up the fuel pump had also stuck the pintel in the injector. A judicious tap of the injector against a hard surface had the desired effect. I then flushed the injectors with cellulose thinners by filling them to the brim with and firing the pintel until the injector drained.
I put all the bits back in the right place and voila! She fired up!
More later...