Rover 02 1.6i - starting or not !

you don't say the model, but if it has one then the first thing to replace is the rotor arm. There is also a possibility that the fuel pump relay is not making contact first time , every time. A petrol car that I deal with has developed a starting problem, questioning worked out that the fault has only surfaced after the fuel was changed from bp to tesco (due to a change of job), I got the owner to run it low and fill with bp ultimate again, so far the starting has apparently been faultless, my fingers are crossed.

Hi Mr C

It's distributorless unfortunately ! I doubt it's the petrol as I've mostly used the same place for years. The relay possibility had occured to me. I'll have a go. I might even have one or at least be able to temporarily swap a couple over.

Thanks

As I said, it's distributorless. I've changed the fuel pump relay and filter and I have some plugs on the way, but I doubt it's them, though I am reverting from platinums to the proper Rover plugs.

This morning again, it didn't start immediately, taking a second turn of the key. However, a few minutes later, when re-starting up outside the shops, there is not the slightest hesitation, as is *always* the case, following the initial start-up of the day.

What might be the difference in this first start? Is there a possibility there's no fuel i.e. there's some kind of one way valve that prevents run back? That's the impression I get. rather than electrics.

Could it be an iffy camshaft sensor or connection to it?

Presumably that would give some error code. Once I've changed the plugs, I'll see if I can get them read out. Cheers.

on the first start of the day, turn the ign. on, wait a few seconds till the pump stops, turn off and on again, this would give it a few extra seconds of pump running before you try the first start, if it improves things then you have a clue about the direction to look. an other thing that would make more difference stone cold is if there is any form of vacuum leak.

That is what I do. Always then starts. (Focus 1.6 2003 petrol) Had similar symptoms as OP, but only once or twice a month, and could be cold, warm or hot, engine or ambient temperature.

I too thought it was fuel related, but a helpful chap on here suggested the camshaft sensor or it's connections. Fuel pump and relay, fuel pressure regulator and injectors all checked out OK.

best of luck.

David

I suspect that an intermittent camshaft sensor, causing the engine not to start under different conditions, makes perfect sense but not really only when cold. Unfortunately the air leak sounds a highly plausib;e explanation, sealing when even slightly warm, but I'll give the double key turning a go, though I always delay winding the starter over, to give a chance for the pump to do it's job.

Cheers

if a car is run completely out of fuel it takes five or more turn ons to get fuel pressure up. another thing to consider is whether it is being parked in a particular place or direction that causes the fault, that sometimes effects draining and fuel pick up. Another thing worth checking is the actual cranking battery volts, when fully cold it will be at its lowest in every case. You could try leaving the battery on charge overnight, if it starts ok the next day then you have a lead (pun intended)

A faulty camshaft sensor more usually causes non-starting when hot.

Chris

cam or crank? I usually find that the cam sensor makes no odds with starting hot or cold, whereas crank sensor usually packs up when hot and letting it cool down will often let it start up again.

Both!

Poor connections inside the sensor move when its thermally cycled, and from personal observation appear to go open circuit when hot.

Of course, a lot depends on what the software does with an out of range or missing sensor signal.

Some Vauxhalls only seem to need the cam sensor at startup for example.

Chris