2 replies to this topic

[stent2009]

Hi
I'm having issues with my spi cooper. When i try and start it it stalls almost straight away, if you keep trying it it ticks over for longer each time and eventually once warmed up it runs fine. Its almost as if its flooding itself but im not sure.
does anyone have any ideas??

[Blatherskite]

Before getting into the more difficult stuff, have you checked the connections to the air temp, water temp, lambda sensors, that the capilliary tubes (from manifold to ECU) are clear, to be sure that none of the basic stuff is faulty? Are the plugs clean-ish or black sweaty? My (admittedly limited so far) experience of the SPi is that the engine is reliable, its electrical and sensors that cause the hassles - and naturally if they are not well connected, it all gets a bit wobbly.

[xrocketengineer]

Hi,
Also check the vacuum pipe from the Thermac valve inside the air cleaner box to the flapper on the intake snorkel. The valve opens when the engine is cold allowing vacuum from the intake to close the flapper preventing cold air from entering the snorkel. The air is drawn from below being warmed in the stove around the exhaust manifold. When the engine warms up, the Thermac valve closes the vacuum source to the flapper and it opens allowing cold air in through the snorkel.

If you have a leak at the pipe from the Thermac valve to the flapper or the flapper actuator is leaking, your fuel mixture will be lean while the car is cold. It will be fine once the car warms up and the Thermac valve closes.

To test, disconnect the pipe going from the Thermac valve to the flapper and plug the Thermac valve port. Start the car cold, if it runs fine look for the leak on the pipe disconnected or check the flapper for leaks.

Hope this helps.

Ivan