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[JamesV6CDX]

I'm broken down, away from home, in my 3.9 EFi. Here's the score...

Last night, went for a play in the snow with the beast (would have been rude not to!). She ran like a dream, all night. Today, I started her up this morning to go to work and she started first time as usual.

I pressed the throttle to move away.. and splut splut.... she died, and now will not restart.

I put a can of petrol in, I can smell fuel at the engine, and I can see the plugs are wet with petrol so I don't think it's that.

I've pulled a couple of plugs, checked for spark, and they ARE sparking, but the spark looks quite weak.

It's NEARLY starting, it just won't quite catch.

I've checked all fuses, all seems OK.

I've very limited tools here, anyone have any ideas of where to turn?

If it's relevent, she's always hesitated a LITTLE bit when pressing the gas from cold, and it's slowly got worse - I wonder if something's finally let go? Ignition Module crossed my mind...

Ideas welcome please

[stuthespread]

mate of mine had similar prob with his disco,turned out to be his fuel pump relay.

[Darth Loo-knee]

Got £100 here for it James as it is a none runner  

[Lazydocker]

James... I had the same with my 3.5EFi after a holiday. I gave in and changed the plugs for new ones and away it went... In fact, it ran better than ever!!!

RR are quite fussy about plugs so if they're not brand spanking I'd stick new ones in

[Marks DTM Calib]

Usual suspect on the 3.9 is the amplifier....but coil and dizzy plus rotor arm are also not the greatest!

[JamesV6CDX]

Usual suspect on the 3.9 is the amplifier....but coil and dizzy plus rotor arm are also not the greatest!

Would it just suddenly stop, though?  :-/

Seems odd it runs one min, and then not the next  :-/

[Marks DTM Calib]

Usual suspect on the 3.9 is the amplifier....but coil and dizzy plus rotor arm are also not the greatest!

Would it just suddenly stop, though?  :-/

Seems odd it runs one min, and then not the next  :-/

Yep!

[Elite Pete]

Got £100 here for it James as it is a none runner  

I'll give you £110  

[JamesV6CDX]

Usual suspect on the 3.9 is the amplifier....but coil and dizzy plus rotor arm are also not the greatest!

Would it just suddenly stop, though?  :-/

Seems odd it runs one min, and then not the next  :-/

Yep!

Any way I can test the current one?

You always say don't replace suspect parts without proving them  

[Marks DTM Calib]

Not easily.

All you can do is inspect the rotor arm and dizzy cap and check the rotor arm mount in the dizzy for slop.

You sadly have the later ignition setup (Lucas Limb 35DLM8) with the side mount amp....these are prone to failure due to heat and bloody awful for reliability!

[JamesV6CDX]

Not easily.

All you can do is inspect the rotor arm and dizzy cap and check the rotor arm mount in the dizzy for slop.

You sadly have the later ignition setup (Lucas Limb 35DLM8) with the side mount amp....these are prone to failure due to heat and bloody awful for reliability!

there is definately fuel getting through - just loosened a couple of plugs and it bellows outta the gaps

There is also compression

it's definately a spark issue.. I've tried another coil, to no avail.

Interestingly though, when sparking a plug directly off the coil, it doesn't seem consistent - and this is before the amplifier..   :-/

Inside the dizzy looks as new, and no slop at all in the rotor arm.

Its just got to be plugs/leads/amplifier - or a combination

[Lazydocker]

As above James... Mine had the same setup and it was purely down to the plugs!

Is this LPG'd too or are you just running on expensive stuff?

If it's lpg'd too I'd definitely stick new plugs in

[Marks DTM Calib]

Not easily.

All you can do is inspect the rotor arm and dizzy cap and check the rotor arm mount in the dizzy for slop.

You sadly have the later ignition setup (Lucas Limb 35DLM8) with the side mount amp....these are prone to failure due to heat and bloody awful for reliability!

there is definately fuel getting through - just loosened a couple of plugs and it bellows outta the gaps

There is also compression

it's definately a spark issue.. I've tried another coil, to no avail.

Interestingly though, when sparking a plug directly off the coil, it doesn't seem consistent - and this is before the amplifier..   :-/

Inside the dizzy looks as new, and no slop at all in the rotor arm.

Its just got to be plugs/leads/amplifier - or a combination

Dont get yah....how can it be before the amp when that switches the LT neg side of the coil?

[Omegatoy]

May or may not be relevant James, but check the airgap in the dizzy!!
many people dont as they dont know it should be set, cant remember the gap offhand but it usually gets to big to promote proper sparks
bought 2 motors for peanuts cos they wouldnt start, paid the money borrowed a screwdriver and reset the airgap, and drove away in them!!! worth a try mate!!!

[STMO123]

I suppose you've given it a good dose of WD40? It is rather damp.