Here we go again. Any bright sparks out there?

[richardferguson]

SPF 04 has a 347 Windsor with Motec fuel injection. It has had chronic cold start problems. 4 local Motec experts have failed to solve the problem. The car starts fine when the engine's hot/warm though it is hard to start when cold, even if the ambient temp is warm. Now it won't start at all. It has gradually worsened since the Nationals in October. When running it makes good power and doesn't cut out at all. The engine cranks over but there seems to be a lack of spark. Could the current be leaking out somewhere? I pulled the plugs out (the limit of my capability) and found them to be pretty clean. Any ideas before it gets towed again?
Richard

[Philm]

HI Richard,
That is not good to hear, I have a similar set up to you 347 and Motec.

I am not sure who you use but I know of 2 tuners that I have used that seam to know what they are doing, Scott from Insight at Arndel Park and Justin from JEM at Liverpool.

These problem may be due to the postion of the sensors, I am not sure of how it is set up but with my limited knowledge it sounds like you are not getting the correct air temp readings, if there is a problem it should be hard to start but it should start.

We did find a problem with advance /retard settings with the motec, the system would reset itself and go to a default setting making it impossible to start.

Phil

[BMK]

Richard

Guess you have spoken with your namesake at Dalkeith Avenue, Dromana at MOTEC??

Also consider Cobra owner and tuner Trevor Simkin in Shepparton Victoria. He can usually solve problems over the phone. However I'm not sure of MOTEC...

Trevor is on Mob.0418577423.

[richardferguson]

Thanks Phil.
The problem seems to have become progressively worse. 2 cranks to start in October, 3 in November, 4-5 in December and no luck this year. Same deal when I had it "tuned" in July, when that Motec guy alluded to a lack of current/spark and suggested I go elsewhere. The guys at Elsewhere poo-pooed this idea (rivals are always enthusiastically canned in the auto trade!) though things are much the same with regard to the starting.
Richard

[BMK]

support@motec.com.au

You may get an instant reply of a referal to a specialist (Ooops sorry). They will have the best person close at hand or as I suggested try Richard Bendall at Motec. Sorry do not have his number. He is in the factory next to RFGT40's in Dalkeith Av, Dromana Vic. (Perhaps someone here has his number)

Trevor is good on Autronic but also is knowledgeable in the MOTEC area

[richardferguson]

Thanks Bernie.
Being mechanically retarded and illiterate, I had Motec expert #3 talk to the guys at Motec last year. Might be worth another call.
Richard

[BMK]

Richard

Sorry I thought that I had Richards number but cannot find it. Staff on the MOTEC site will have his details.

www.motec.com.au

I know that 'Amberley Autos' - on the MOTEC site as a dealer - have looked after 'Justbetter"s Cobra and the Victorian Cobra club with sponsorship of the Nationals. Perhaps an option.

[PCC]

Richard,

I had exactly the same symptoms when my car was "new". No cold start, but once pushed out into the QLD sun and left to sit for 10 minutes started first time!!!!

Warm start was never a problem and ran well.

Turned out to be the airflow meter resulting in too much fuel being dumped into the system. Standing in the sun vapourised the fuel.

Replaced the Airflow Meter and everything was fine.

[richardferguson]

Thanks Peter.
Tried a bit of sunbaking without success on the weekend. I had pushed it out of the garage to winch it on to my new trailer though found the cable was too short. Left it in the sun for an hour while I went and cursed everthing in sight.
Must have killed a Chinaman
Richard

[PCC]

Richard

Move up to QLD and feel the real sun - make's a difference!

What confounded me at the time was that there was no smell of fuel in the engine bay.

It cost me more than $500 to replace the airflow meter though as one time I pushed it out and it rolled back down the drive into the letter box

Letter box was fine so I felt much better

[Bryan Wilson]

Richard,
I am not familiar with Motec but I am familiar with electronics and their gremlins.
You say it is hard to start when cold and easy when warm so try this fault finding technique.
Get a hair dryer/heat gun and warm up the Motec box to about 30*C and see if it starts. If it does then the problem is in the box.
If it doesn't then try other components in and around the engine bay and see if you get a temperature related response.
Cheers,
Bryan

[stiffy]

Hi Richard,


I had the same problem, MOTEC, FORD, getting harder to start
when cold (much worse in Vic than NSW i can tell you) I gave it to Trevor Simkin for the week and he fixed it...........

As you only get one chance to get it right he needed it for at least 3 days and as I was getting the sh..s with it I left it there for the week.
He was kind enough to even drop it down to me from Shepparton after he finished. I dont think he will go to Sydney,,,, but if you want it fixed.


STIFFY

[BMK]

Stiffy

Could come via Mt. Gambier South Australia to St. Kilda Victoria up to Shepparton....

Hell lets put some miles on it....

Bernie

[stiffy]

Bernie,

Would love to have another "Weekend @ Bernies" (I was not a member @ the first) to put some K's on the car.

When would suit?????

If you are coming for the Fishing Family Day in February there is a bed @ my place.

STIFFY

[snaken]

Richard,

I am running MoTeC but no expert. Sounds to me like the water temp sensor is faulty. Plug in your note book and check the water temp reading on the main table. The reading should be about the ambient temp, the default is 70 degrees C. If the sensor is faulty and defaults to 70C then the cold start does not activate.

Good luck
Snaken

[Philm]

To take snakens point a bit further, I have found that with the windsor air pockets in the cooling system caused some problems. I postioned the water temp sender on the rear of the , manifold and it was not getting an acurite reading.

If the sensor is working check its position.

Just another idea.

Phil

[Gav]

How well does the starter turn over when it is not starting Richard?
If it is slow you may have loose or dirty electrical connections.

Sorry to not be much help, if I lived a little closer I'd have a good look for you.

Gav

[richardferguson]

Thanks guys for your suggestions.
It will be taken to the gurus tomorrow with all of your suggestions ready for the paid help. As they were certain they had it sorted last time, I'm sure they will be all ears.
Gav, it turns over pretty well. I turn the battery off in the garage and connect it to a charger.
Stay tuned.
Richard

[snakeless]

hey soo I can,t help but I remember a interesting storey ,for the fans , while at a drag race in 67 in my 64 289 ac,was told by a for eng. from the factory to grid of my autolite plugs and run AC,s oh!!!! and ran better.even with the rocks we put in the trunk.

[BMK]

Mmmmmm

Good luck Rich