My V6 still refuses to start.
 

Ok, the story up to now is that following a run of about 1 hour with no issues, I parked her on the drive and, the following day would turn over but refuse to start. Following advice I have replaced the in tank fuel filter, fitted new o'rings and also the orange clip, which, in this case was white. I have power to the fuel pump and I can hear it prime for about 5 seconds when I turn on the ignition but I don't have any trace of petrol at the test port (blue schrader cap???) The fuel tank gauge reads just under 1/2 full and the tacho twitches when I turn the engine over so I am ruling out the crankshaft sensor. I am fast running out of ideas. Can anyone offer any advice where to look next.

Hi Barry,

Do you mean that you've dismantled the canister and replaced the element within? Members of this forum strongly recommend not to do this since it's only a loosening of the two halves of the canister which causes loss of fuel pressure (and the filter element is not listed as a service item). It's said that it's easy to distort the 'O' ring seal when screwing it all back together.

So I would return to the filter and double check that everything is in order. To be absolutely certain about the crankshaft sensor, see if you can hear the fuel pump running during cranking or put a voltmeter across the supply wires (white/purple & black).

Simon

Hi Simon,
I am certain that I have reinstalled the new filter and assembled the housing correctly. The fuel pump runs for about 5 seconds when I first turn the ignition on and then stops. If I check it whilst the engine is being cranked over would that indicate a faulty crankshaft sensor or camshaft sensor?
Barry.

When you removed the pump were the two halves definitely 'blown', if not there is a chance the initial problem was something else. The orange (now white) clip is a bit of a 'b' to fully fasten so are you sure it was pressed ('click') fully home when you fitted it because both halves of the pump have to be properly aligned and there is just the one correct position.

To be honest Simon, I don't think that the filter had unscrewed, it seemed to be correctly fastened, I just replaced everything as a precaution and yes, the white clip is on correctly directly under the fuel outlet connection. You could be correct in saying that the problem is elsewhere but without a diagnostic I don't know where to start looking. My local Rover specialists wont look at the car unless I take it to them, which, given the current situation is difficult.
Barry

That's correct. It's priming.
On cranking, the fuel pump relay is under the control of the crankshaft sensor via the ECM (Engine ECU). So check that the pump is operating (not easy with the noise of the starter motor so a voltmeter is best) first.

Simon

Ok, thank you for that. I will carry out the checks tomorrow and see what happens. If it turns out that the pump is not operating whilst the engine is being cranked over, are we talking replacement ECM ?? or crankshaft sensor ??

My first thought would have been crank sensor, get your self a cheapish code reader as it will throw up the fault even tho the eml will not be lit.

Try adding a gallon of fuel to ensure the pump inlet is flooded. Fuel Filter Syndrome can leave the pump high and dry. If it works, FFS is confirmed.



TC

I have added more petrol and still the car refuses to start. I am crippled with arthritis and find it almost impossible to work on the vehicle. I have therefore made the decision to let someone else in the club have the vehicle free of charge in the hope that they will spend the time to rectify the problem.
Please refer to the cars for sale section for further details. Thank you to all the members who have offered advice.
Barry Emmens.
email:[email protected]