Car won't start - HELP please

malcolm the piano man · 13th November 2021, 13:13

2003 2.5 Connie SE Tourer

Arrived home yesterday and parked car and locked it up as usual - no problems. This morning it won't start. It turns over on the starter and the fuel pump runs. I have checked to see if the ECU is floating but all is dry and OK. I have checked various engine management fuses to see if any blown - at least the ones I have looked at are all OK. Spark plugs are not the cleanest and poshest in the world but I really don't see why all 6 should fail all at once. There is plenty of petrol and smell of the same. Slight issue with the keyfob and it has been like it a while, the unlock button on the cover split and I didn't notice in time and the split part pulled the switch off the PCB. I can lock the car with the fob but must use the key in the drivers door lock to open it. It has been like this for a few months now and has not been a problem.

Any help appreciated.

TIA

vitesse · 13th November 2021, 14:49

I would say the keyfob is unrelated as although the transponder chip lives there, it's usually secure in its location, and the starter operates.

Even though you can smell petrol there's no guarantee that there's enough of the stuff arriving at the fuel rail. Your car is a 2003, any clip on the fuel filter?

Any fault codes?

Depending on your location within Nottinghamshire you might be able to persuade JamieWelch to do a doctor's visit. He's in Cheslyn hay, has all the diagnostic equipment and the knowledge to match.

Good luck

dave lincs · 13th November 2021, 16:39

it sounds like the fuel filter has come apart

malcolm the piano man · 13th November 2021, 16:58

Well you say that and I came up with the idea that the fuel filter may be blocked. To save me looking on the CD where is it? (The filter, not the CD

)

Yorkshire GOC · 13th November 2021, 17:18

Passenger side under back seat - dont open the filter - just get a FOC (fabled orange clip) and fit it around the filter housing - only 7.99 on e bay - its a cheap way to discount a widespread issue with later fuel filters on MGR petrol engines known as fuel filter syndrome.

See below on e bay .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133924464...UAAOSwTmVfT3cE

malcolm the piano man · 14th November 2021, 10:24

Right. I have lifted the rear seat cushion out and removed four bolts from each of the circular covers. Hoping to see this filter with the FOC, but no. I assume it is under the large circular cover which I assume is actually the top of the tank. How do I remove this cover? I assume it is a large diameter screw thread.

Its a tourer BTW if that makes any difference.

Sorry to ask seemingly simple questions but I am trying to avoid doing unnecessary work.

malcolm the piano man · 14th November 2021, 10:45

Is this what I should be looking at? I was expecting something much smaller

patrolman pete · 14th November 2021, 10:52

It's been a while since I've done one of these as I own 2 diesels.

Tap the metal locking ring around to release after disconnecting the fuel pipe. Partially lift up the unit enough to hold the bottom then push down on the top part and turn clockwise to lock the 2 halves together. Place the seal into the sides of the tank opening and push the unit back into the tank to seal it and refit the ring and pipe , then let the system prime and see if she will start.

patrolman pete · 14th November 2021, 10:54

Just seen the picture and I think I can see a gap .

malcolm the piano man · 14th November 2021, 11:00

The part visible nearest the bottom right corner was separate from the large unit and floating in the tank aimlessly. Am I right in thinking that this should slide up the unit and clip in place with the two clips

13th November 2021, 13:13	#1
malcolm the piano man Avid contributor 75 Tourer 2.5 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 209 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Car won't start - HELP please 2003 2.5 Connie SE Tourer Arrived home yesterday and parked car and locked it up as usual - no problems. This morning it won't start. It turns over on the starter and the fuel pump runs. I have checked to see if the ECU is floating but all is dry and OK. I have checked various engine management fuses to see if any blown - at least the ones I have looked at are all OK. Spark plugs are not the cleanest and poshest in the world but I really don't see why all 6 should fail all at once. There is plenty of petrol and smell of the same. Slight issue with the keyfob and it has been like it a while, the unlock button on the cover split and I didn't notice in time and the split part pulled the switch off the PCB. I can lock the car with the fob but must use the key in the drivers door lock to open it. It has been like this for a few months now and has not been a problem. Any help appreciated. TIA __________________ Malcolm

13th November 2021, 16:58	#4
malcolm the piano man Avid contributor 75 Tourer 2.5 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 209 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Well you say that and I came up with the idea that the fuel filter may be blocked. To save me looking on the CD where is it? (The filter, not the CD) __________________ Malcolm

13th November 2021, 17:18	#5
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,065 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	Passenger side under back seat - dont open the filter - just get a FOC (fabled orange clip) and fit it around the filter housing - only 7.99 on e bay - its a cheap way to discount a widespread issue with later fuel filters on MGR petrol engines known as fuel filter syndrome. See below on e bay . https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133924464...UAAOSwTmVfT3cE __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

14th November 2021, 10:24	#6
malcolm the piano man Avid contributor 75 Tourer 2.5 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 209 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Right. I have lifted the rear seat cushion out and removed four bolts from each of the circular covers. Hoping to see this filter with the FOC, but no. I assume it is under the large circular cover which I assume is actually the top of the tank. How do I remove this cover? I assume it is a large diameter screw thread. Its a tourer BTW if that makes any difference. Sorry to ask seemingly simple questions but I am trying to avoid doing unnecessary work. __________________ Malcolm

14th November 2021, 10:45	#7
malcolm the piano man Avid contributor 75 Tourer 2.5 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 209 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Is this what I should be looking at? I was expecting something much smaller __________________ Malcolm

13th November 2021, 14:49	#2
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,533 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	I would say the keyfob is unrelated as although the transponder chip lives there, it's usually secure in its location, and the starter operates. Even though you can smell petrol there's no guarantee that there's enough of the stuff arriving at the fuel rail. Your car is a 2003, any clip on the fuel filter? Any fault codes? Depending on your location within Nottinghamshire you might be able to persuade JamieWelch to do a doctor's visit. He's in Cheslyn hay, has all the diagnostic equipment and the knowledge to match. Good luck

13th November 2021, 16:39	#3
dave lincs Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louth Posts: 1,413 Thanks: 380 Thanked 986 Times in 476 Posts	it sounds like the fuel filter has come apart

14th November 2021, 10:52	#8
patrolman pete Posted a thing or two Rover 75 club se tourer CDT and a Connoisseur SE Diesel Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houghton - le - Spring Posts: 1,418 Thanks: 618 Thanked 333 Times in 197 Posts	It's been a while since I've done one of these as I own 2 diesels. Tap the metal locking ring around to release after disconnecting the fuel pipe. Partially lift up the unit enough to hold the bottom then push down on the top part and turn clockwise to lock the 2 halves together. Place the seal into the sides of the tank opening and push the unit back into the tank to seal it and refit the ring and pipe , then let the system prime and see if she will start.

14th November 2021, 10:54	#9
patrolman pete Posted a thing or two Rover 75 club se tourer CDT and a Connoisseur SE Diesel Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houghton - le - Spring Posts: 1,418 Thanks: 618 Thanked 333 Times in 197 Posts	Just seen the picture and I think I can see a gap .

14th November 2021, 11:00	#10
malcolm the piano man Avid contributor 75 Tourer 2.5 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 209 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The part visible nearest the bottom right corner was separate from the large unit and floating in the tank aimlessly. Am I right in thinking that this should slide up the unit and clip in place with the two clips __________________ Malcolm