Escort 1.8i zetec sudden death

In message , stupidworld writes

I would start by trying the other 3 leads for a spark. If the coil pack has gone down it will take out two cylinders.

"stupidworld" wrote in message news:43fc7a04$0$25682$ snipped-for-privacy@titian.nntpserver.com...

check the cambelt.

mrcheerful

Yes, I'll try this, although I'd have expected at least some attempt at firing if 2 cylinders were still working? There's not so much as a "pop", just a whiring starter. It is engaging, BTW.

I was hoping that wasn't the answer!

The cambelt was changed about 10K miles back, but thinking about it when I turn the engine over, the starter does seem to turn without much effort, almost like there's no compression, which I guess is just how it would feel if the valves weren't closing. And that would explain how it went from working fine one minute to totally dead the next.

Oh dear! :-(

Paul Giverin wrote in news:VpRkolAwdI$DFwuP@10.0.0.3:

The ECU should be programmed to expect cold temperatures for starting up. Perhaps it is indicating a fault with the temperature sensor? With a faulty sensor, it may well default to a fuelling level appropriate for a warm engine, thus causing difficulty in staring from cold.

Phew! Just checked, cambelt is OK.

Timing belt?

Tim..

Is timing belt definately ok- not stripped teeth off around Crank sprocket ???

Check the cams actually turn by looking in through oil filler cap! - the cam sprockets are not keyed and i've known them come loose- 1 bolt- friction drive.

Esp as you've had a new belt recently...

Tim..

Could be a fuel pump, just because it makes a noise, doesn't mean it pumps enough fuel. Could be a vacuum hose broken, manifold gasket, spark tracking down the outside of the plug / plugs or coil lead. This is a common fault with the zetec engine. Could be your spark plugs, also worked hard by the zetec engine.

depends on the car, most are now fired by a crank sensor rather than having a rotor arm or distributor, in this case it IS one where you will have sparks if the crank turns.

mrcheerful

Brain before fingers- ignition primary is triggered from a flywheel mounted sensor in the case of the Zetec (and more other engines for that matter these days)

It'll still spark whether the cams are turning or not.

Tim..

Fuel pump and or fuel pump relay yes, but the OP states it seemed to be spinning over faster than normal.

Could be a vacuum hose broken, manifold gasket, spark tracking

You'd get a splutter or eventual start though.

Could be your spark plugs, also worked hard by the

Yup. See above.

Tim..

"stupidworld" wrote in message news:43fc7a04$0$25682$ snipped-for-privacy@titian.nntpserver.com...

Slipping cam belt, loose cam wheel, or (fairly rare) sticking valves can all cause spinning over easier than normal. My bet is the cambelt or the cambolts are loose. (either will probably have lunched the engine)

mrcheerful

Mine too.

Tim..