Won't start

W

Wes

Well-Known Forum User
I'll try to explain everything to make it easier! It's a 240 with a 2.6 and SUs and 280zx ignition.

I'm in the middle of restoring the car at the moment so I don't need it running great but running would be nice. It was just about running Thursday (sounded like 3 cylinders) Since then I've taken the carbs off and rebuilt them with new gaskets and cleaned them up.

I have good pressure on all cylinders, The carbs seem to be working, fuel is getting through and the jets are able to move up free and easy. The choke is working too. It's firing in the correct order and there is a spark at each of the plugs. The timing is about right too. I've played with the fual mixture but it dosen't really help.

It does turn over and it fires once or twice but as soon as I turn the key back it fires once or twice more and thats it.

Could it be that the coil is breaking down as the sparks at the plugs did seen rather weak and I really can't think of anything else!

Hope someone can help!

Cheers Wes

The spark at the plugs is rather weak though
 
I think so but it could be off of anything and I'm not sure it works.Thats first on my list of things to try tommorow. Otherwise I might buy one from Halfords and return it if it dosent make any difference.

Wes
 
Ok Wes you've tried most things, sounds like it may not be rich enough for cold start I used to have to inject some fuel down the SUs to get the engine to start when I first ran my rebuilt carbs and engine If you have good compression and spark and the engines firing right then get someone to turn the dizzy as you crank the engine over this should help to get it started and then reset the timing when running better, when you overhauled you're carbs did you check and set the float levels as they could have stuck and be stopping one carb working properly, just some ideas to check. let us know how it goes..
Nick...
 
Float levels are fine and fuel is getting through no problems. I was thinking about getting some cold/damp start tom and seeing if that helped get things going!


Wes
 
Yes you can do tends to make the engine nock but will get it going give it a go and remember to turn the dizzy slighty as you crankl the engine. hope it starts tommorow.
nick.
 
When you say it "It does turn over and it fires once or twice but as soon as I turn the key back it fires once or twice more and thats it." if the engine stops when you let the starter off you probably have a wiring fault as there are two power supplies to the coil. One through the ballast route and as you have a 280 ignition the wires should be joined together without the ballast which supplies the coil when running and there is another power supply when the key is in start position which cuts off the ballast supply. See previous threads on ballast resistors etc. Hope this helps. Adrian
 
Just a thought Wes, are you using a 280 HT coil as well? Non electronic coils are different from points coils. Ahd make sure there is no ballast resistor in the circuit as this will reduce the voltage to the coil. It may be a good idea to put a jump lead from battery+ direct to coil + just to bypass the wiring loom so you will get a good supply direct to the coil. Adrian
 
The ballast is out as It is the same setup that was running on my 2+2 Adrian and it's a proper coil as You made sure it was before! The wiring isn't condition though but I'm going to change some of it this morning.

Wes
 
won't fire at all anymore. There is a spark coming from the coil but I'm sure it's pretty weak. It certainly doesn't make a ticking noise like I seem to remember it doing! Also if I connect on of the plug leads to a plug then there is no spark at the plug allthough if I pull it away then there is a small one between the plug and lead.

Nobody in Swindon stocks a 280zx coil and I cant find any spare ones about. The only other thing is that I have previously had a problem with a 280zx ignition module and am thinking it might be that?

anymore ideas welcomed!

Thanks
 
For a test of the system just use an ordinary 12v coil and see if you get a good spark with that before sourcing a coil you may not need. If that doesnt work try the module as you suspect it might be, or just fit another 280 dist. Adrian
 
I thought I had one lying about but I don't so will have to try and hunt one down. I almost called you earlier to see if you had one Adrian buy as it was so nice I stayed with the car and sanded all day.

I may try and call over in the week though but I'll give you a call.

Wes
 
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