Zetec Starting Problem

[Booton]

Hi

I've just finished installing a 1.8 Blacktop Zetec in a MK2 Escort running MJLJnrV4 (TPS) and a set of ZX9R Carbs on an otherwise standard motor. I am using the 'rolling road map' from this forum as a starting point. I have been able to start the engine a couple of times and once running it idles and runs pretty well (Although it does sound like it has an intermittant miss on idle).

The problem i am having is that it is it is a total pain to start, i'm wondering if my cranking advance is set incorrectly (At 8 deg) because after endless cranking it will start. I get the impression that if you get it cranking fast enough and a couple of cylinders fire it transitions into 'running' mode where the peramters are set correctly and it runs OK??

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I have tried starting without the MJLJnrV4 connected and it is worse.

Cheers

[Funky Diver]

Have you tried starting it in limp home mode? ie with the MJLJ disconnected?

[Booton]

Thanks for the fast response.
Yes I have tried starting in limp home mode, no joy, in fact it appears less likely to start ie few to no promising firing events.

[NITROPIXIE]

Hey Booton and welcome to the forum.

How have your carbs been steup???

Just as a confidence check you can always use a timing light, with your sparkplugs out but resting on the block and turn the engine over with the use of a friend and observe advance whilst cranking. If you do this in limp home mode (unplug megajolt) then it should be a stationary 10 degrees.

Cranking advance sounds fine to me.

Also can you confirm with a voltmeter that you have a good 12-14V at the coil pack, speaking of which do you have a hard rev limiter installed or are you just using the soft rev limiter???

Where did you get 12V from, because if your using a 12V source as per the original coil and its a resistive wire then this can cause problems with weak sparks?

Be nice to see some pics up when you finally have the engine running correctly in the powered by section.

Ryan

[Booton]

Thanks Ryan

All good suggestions i'll get the timing light out to confirm all is well with the igniton; i suspect it is as i was running this ignition set up with a different engine (2D Xflow) in the car with no complaints for about 6 months having got rid of the ballast resistor.

The carbs are unmodified/un-adjusted 2002 zx9r carbs with facet pump and filter king fuel reg set to 2.5psi and work exceptionally well once the engine is running (Smooth power through the rev range, no flat spots or hesitation, bit of a miss/pop on idle and gear down so it's probably a bit lean at the bottom end); i think i'll get the colourtune out and have a look at the idle set up as it sounds like the ignition is fine.

Will be sure to post pics once i'm happy with the car but at the moment the engine bay looks as rough as a bears proverbial

Cheers

[NITROPIXIE]

Could be overly rich and your getting wet plugs, or possibly an air leak somewhere making it run lean when starting (is there a choke on the carbs for cold starting?? Just some other ideas.

Colourtune would probably be the way ahead, unless you know a friendly garage that will let you use there emissions tester. I'm lucky and my local garage lets me use there for very little and is a good way to get the idle sorted.

Keep us posted.

[Booton]

Small update for anyone with a similar setup/problems:

Removed tamper seals and adjusted the idle mixture screws 1.5 turns out from lightly seated posn
Replaced crank sensor (Old one suffered a little damage from contact with a toothed wheel on a Xflow setup)

Fired up first turn of the key, idled well enough at 400rpm so i had enough time to jump out of the drivers seat and adjust the idle screw!!

Now it's running i'll tune it through the rev range, it drives OK but has a bit of an exhaust backfire on overrrun. T

[NITROPIXIE]

Hey Booton,

Glad to hear your making head way with it. Keep up the good work. Might be best to try and save and get it properly rolling roaded

Ryan