Hello
1993 L reg UK RHD SPI Cooper, manual
Background
- I've had the petrol tank out of the car to de-rust it
- I've replaced the fuel pump (it wasn't working)
- I've replaced the under-car fuel filter (precautionary....the one I took off hadn't been on the car for long)
- I've put it all back together
- I've put fresh, full-fat petrol in the tank
So far, so good
However
- Although I can hear the fuel pump prime when I turn the key (there was no noise before), and although the starter turns as it should, the car won't start.
- I checked the spark plugs.
- They're all clean.
- I have almost zero sense of smell, so I'm not sure if I could or could not smell petrol on the spark plugs.
- The gaps are correct.
- While the plugs were out, I sprayed a little cold / easy start into each cylinder.
- I turned the key, heard the fuel pump prime, turned it to ignition and it started and ran for about a second (with the cold / easy start)
- Then stopped.
- It sounded great momentarily.
Questions
- Does that fact that it fired and sounded good for a second with cold / easy start mean that things like timing are ok?
- Does it still point to a fuel problem?
- Do I need to bleed air out of the fuel lines or should the pump push the air through and out?
- How do I check whether fuel is getting where it should?
- I pressed the cut off inertia switch in the engine bay. No change.
- Could the inertia switch be faulty? Is there a test for it?
- Will this bl**dy car ever run again?
- Answers to all but the last question would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Elwyn
