Starting issues....

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jonGTX
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Starting issues....

Post by jonGTX »

Very recently, the red shed has refused to start, spinning but not catching, yet go back to it couple hours later and it'll start...

Occasionally got a warm start issue where it'll struggle to start without throttle input so thinking somethings up somewhere, going to pop battery on charge tonight and see if that helps, any other suggestions?


Rocco Mafia Car of Choice 2010
1989 Helios Blue Scala 16v *sold*
1994 Mulberry Corrado VR6 *sold*
1991 Tornado Red Scala GTi Engineering RE2000 8V *sold*
1991 VW Polo G40 *sold*
1990 Pearl Green Scala
2020 VW Polo GTi
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unknownmale
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Re: Starting issues....

Post by unknownmale »

If you can, upload a video or the audio of it starting.

From the sound, should be able to tell if there is a compression issue, if the starter solenoid is not engaging, possible fuel delivery issue. To test for spark you can go through each HT lead and test for spark when turning the engine over (Ether connect a test light to battery negative or hold the disconnected lead to an engine ground)

Assuming the engine is turning over and you have spark on all four leads I would then go to fuel, if it's the GTX you can pull the injectors one by one, if carbed, check the bowls are full or pull the fuel line off the carb and turn the car over to see if fuel is making it to the carb.

Assuming you have compression, fuel and ignition I would then perhaps look at timing and fuel mixture.

The warm start issue could also be a number of things but perhaps my first thought would be a vacuum leak (This would explain why you need to open the throttle to start as the engine would be running lean. You can test this when the engine is running by spraying brake clean around the intake and vacuum lines and listen for rev increase, or a safer option can be to use water and listen for the engine to bog down. Vacuum leaks can sometime become more apparent once the engine is warmed up as rubber is more malleable when hot.

Obviously there are a whole bunch of issues that could be causing those problems, but that's how I would start to diagnose.


- David
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jonGTX
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Re: Starting issues....

Post by jonGTX »

Cheers for the info, will have a dig around when its light on the weekend, only had chance to have a look in the dark...

Although it now won't start full stop, starter engages, spins freely, just won't catch so will be reviewing the leads for a start, had new plugs not too long ago but will pull them to check anyway


Rocco Mafia Car of Choice 2010
1989 Helios Blue Scala 16v *sold*
1994 Mulberry Corrado VR6 *sold*
1991 Tornado Red Scala GTi Engineering RE2000 8V *sold*
1991 VW Polo G40 *sold*
1990 Pearl Green Scala
2020 VW Polo GTi
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jonGTX
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Location: B'ham

Re: Starting issues....

Post by jonGTX »

New leads seem to have cured the issue, king lead was decidedly ropey looking and cylinder one lead came apart leaving the cap on the spark plug, hopefully that cures the rest but will see


Rocco Mafia Car of Choice 2010
1989 Helios Blue Scala 16v *sold*
1994 Mulberry Corrado VR6 *sold*
1991 Tornado Red Scala GTi Engineering RE2000 8V *sold*
1991 VW Polo G40 *sold*
1990 Pearl Green Scala
2020 VW Polo GTi
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unknownmale
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Re: Starting issues....

Post by unknownmale »

That could be it, especially if it has allowed corrosion to work its magic. Replace the rotor arm and dizzy cap too, only a couple of quid.


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G Beats
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Re: Starting issues....

Post by G Beats »

Put new HT Leads on Sally this has helped a lot but she still is a bit funny in starting as not quite straight away some times might replace the dizzy cap and the arm.


G Beats.Been into MK 2 V.W Sciroccos since 98.Now on my fourth MK 2 Scirocco. R.I.P two MK 2 Scala DX Engine's.Sold GT 2. No longer have a mk 2 v.w Scirocco as it was stolen back in February 2020 .Or another one know have a 1980s BMW.
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