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[JamesV6CDX]

Not my day, today 

The V6 is now all assembled and finished.

I attempted to start it, and to be fair, it's been stood two months and the battery wouldn't have been well charged.

Initially I turned the key so just the ignition was on.

Observation at this point, although ignition lights were bright, I didn't hear the fuel pump priming any fuel, which I expect it to do?

I tried cranking. The engine cranked at a meduim-low speed. There was obvious good compression.  It then made a noise as if it was "backfiring" via the inlet, there was a slightly funny smell. It did this a couple of times, and then the battery "said no", so it was game over, for tonight.

I also observed that the fuel gauge was on red, (MID said 24 miles, don't believe it tho).

I then pulled off the fuel line, from the inlet, and it was bone dry. So, how did it make a "backfire" noise, without any fuel?

I double checked the plug leads, and they are all definately correct. I am also sure that the valve timing is correct (I've done enough of them  ). I went around and checked every electrical connector (I know them by heart) and they are all correct.

The battery is on charge, and I've put 12 litres of fuel in a can ready, so I'm hoping, with some fuel and a fully charged battery, she should go?

Thoughts, please - my main thought is why didn't the fuel pump even try, with ignition on? (fuse 18 is intact). Would it give up if there was a low level, and not even make a noise?

Many thanks in advance...

[Marie]

james from what i can remember about fuel pumps, if there is no fuel in it then they wont work in simple terms. you will burn the pump out if there is nothing in it.

i cant beleive that the tank is completely empty, but it is possible.

i do agree with you that a flat tits battery is the main problem.

good luck for tomorrow mate hope you figure this out soon.

[dbug]

Try it with a good battery  + some fuel in the tank.  If it doesn't start then you need to look deeper!!

Let us know if it starts ok

[NaughtyNigel]

Hi James.

Firstly; the Midi is (or was) deadly accurate. I ran it down to single figures many times and it didn't run out. The one occasion I ran it to zero it ran out within a mile!

Secondly; I never ever heard the fuel pump during the ten years I ownerd the car. (I agree this doesn't explain the dry fuel lines).

Thirdly, it did very occasionally backfire via the inlet, especially when very cold. I put it down to the idle spark system.

The battery was replaced about four years ago, and has never given me any problems. I'm sure it will be fine after a charge.

I hope this helps.

NN

Edit: Thinking on, old fuel can be a problem, as the most volatile fractions evaporate, leaving something more akin to diesel! However, you should be OK after two months in wintertime.

[JamesV6CDX]

Thanks Nigel!

My personal opinion, is that through being sat, it was just discharged due to constant use of central locking, etc.... my fault entirely...

Although the mid is usually accurate, I feel that having had it apart so much, it may need more fuel in the tank than is present, to start it, than it normally would? It's worth a go, eh 

I am, 99.99999% sure, with some power and juice, she will run tomorrow 

[NaughtyNigel]

Good luck! 

Let us know how you get on. 

NN

[albitz]

Its obviously a male variety of the Omega species.Its had a long rest so will naturally have a bit of a F a r t and a cough before it fully wakes up.

[The Red Baron]

Its obviously a male variety of the Omega species.Its had a long rest so will naturally have a bit of a F a r t and a cough before it fully wakes up.

sounds a bit like my missus actualy

[Matchless]

James, the V6 fuel pump wont run until a good signal is seen from the crank sensor (on the 4-cyl it runs for a second on ignition-on but not the V6).
Try with a fully charged battery and some fuel but if still no good, swap the crank sensor.

[feeutfo]

no codes then?

[JamesV6CDX]

James, the V6 fuel pump wont run until a good signal is seen from the crank sensor (on the 4-cyl it runs for a second on ignition-on but not the V6).
Try with a fully charged battery and some fuel but if still no good, swap the crank sensor.

Excellent information, thank you sir 

I didn't know that.

As soon as I have a good battery on there, I'll see how the land lies, and check the codes

[Vamps]

Thanks Nigel!

My personal opinion, is that through being sat, it was just discharged due to constant use of central locking, etc.... my fault entirely...

Although the mid is usually accurate, I feel that having had it apart so much, it may need more fuel in the tank than is present, to start it, than it normally would? It's worth a go, eh 

I am, 99.99999% sure, with some power and juice, she will run tomorrow 

Well that might be a good starting point......

[Bionic]

matchless has got it spot on. Do as he advised and you will most likely be mobile again.
Can't hear my fuel pump either and as I fitted one of the dash mounted (you can hardly notice it as it lies flat) photoelectric trickle chargers the battery never gets the chance to get flat.
Maybe worth getting one?
GudLuk

[The Red Baron]

any news james?