Trouble starting my 1300

I'm having trouble getting the Escort started again. And I'm kinda stuck as to what to check for next. My very limited mechanical knowledge has run out [:I]

It died on the way to Sydney for the cruise, and the way it ran for a but then cut out I assumed it was cause of a dodgy tank of fuel or some gunk in the lines/carby.

So I got it home and pulled the carby off, flushed the tank out and blew out the fuel lines. I also pulled the carby down and gave it a good clean out and blew out all the jets and holes. I then reassembled it with new gaskets. I also put a filter in the line after the pump cause there wasn't one there.

Finally got it all back together the other day, hoping that it would just kick over and run. But nope. It cranks and nearly catches, but never does. Like in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJroEWR7pbA

There looks to be fuel getting to the cylinders, I pulled the plugs out to check them and they were a bit wet cause of the cranking and not starting.
I checked the spark on the plug leads, its getting one when I hold it close to the block. How big a spark should it be though? The coil lead is also giving spark.

I'm just not sure where to go from here. What do I check next? I just assumed the dizzy and points were all cause it was running fine to and from town and as far as Berry. But maybe I need to check the cap or rotor arm.

Does anyone have any suggestions [?]

Have you got the leads on in the correct order?

Do Mk1s have the anti dieseling solenoid?

Rhys

I checked out your video.

Should be easy.

Replace dizzy cap and rotor button, coil, check timing, points and replace the condensor (for some reason the 1.3L and 1.6L engines don't like condensors, which seem to die in my 1.6L every few years).
Also check the engine is not flooded. (if you smell fuel around the car fully open throttle and crank engine - do not pump throttle while cranking).

Hopefully you haven't filled up with ethanol fuel recently.

If all the above are ticked, it has got to start!

Hi Peter,

Based on all the info you have posted...I'd have my money on the condenser or coil or both[;^)] Was running fine on the existing tank of fuel...there would be less than a litre in the carby, pump and lines so you would have only made it a few kms from the servo if fuel was your issue.

Check for adequate voltage at the coil, if that is good during both ign on and cranking, the points are good and gapped correctly, spark is crap so only leaves 2 things in the circuit, the condenser and coil. Without an oscilloscope, you cant test either so I would just replace them with new, not second hand.

Cheers,

Phil.

Excellent information. I'll add a new condenser to my shopping list. And I also need to track down a new coil.

Thanks for all the help on this one too

quote:

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Originally posted by hak073

Does anyone have the part numbers handy that I need to get a dizzy cap and rotor for my 1300?

I checked the dizzy, yep that says Lucas on it...



So I order the Lucas bits. Stuff turns up, but its all different to the ones I have on there now. What's going on? Have I ordered the wrong bits? What are the bits I have on it (the brown bits in the picture below)?

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Peter,

Yep, wrong bits. They are for the Bosch Dizzy which is different to the Lucas or Motorcraft one.

Also, check your earth strap betwee the block and the chassis. If this has come loose or is missing it will cause ignition problems.

Cheers,

Peter

The coil is next on my list if the new cap/rotor/condenser combo doesn't solve things. I still haven't got back to town to order new bits yet. Must get onto doing that. Seems kids birthdays have gotten in the way this past weekend