Another help me get this engine started! Thread Options

[Literati914]

1.7 that was supposedly rebuilt just before I purchased the project approx 7 year ago. Never started before. D-jet. Electronic unit replacing the orig. points. Engine currently installed in the engine bay. I primed the oil system the other day and now the idiot light will go out after a couple seconds of cranking.

About the 3rd time or so of trying to start the engine.. it seemed to have lit, it only lasted about 2 seconds (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) but it felt good, like it wouldn’t take long. Unfortunately it’s not done much but turn over strong since then. Sometimes it’ll do a little shuffle like it’s gonna start, but no.

I checked the plugs and they have spark, they seemed slightly damp at the electrodes, I also pulled the little small extra bolt on the fuel rail at the driver’s side to see if fuel was making it to the injectors and yes it is apparently.

This 1.7 has a fan with 2 markings… a “0” and an “|” …. Haynes says it’s supposed to have 3 markings but mine does not. If I insert a screwdriver into #1 cylinder and manually bring the fan around via a wrench on the alternator bolt (pulling it towards me from the driver’s side).. I come to the “|” first, before the piston is completely at the top. So I’m speculating that “|” is 5degrees btdc . And this is the mark I’m using to set my distributor. Does that sound right?

[Literati914]

New Development:

Before starting to check the injector triggers I decided to address a fuel line routing issue that had been nagging me, first:

I'd previously routed my return fuel line under the metal stand for the air cleaner.. looking at it, I figured that presented an opportunity for the fuel line to chafe on the legs. So I decided to re-route it to the area behind the stand, where it should be. When I pulled the hose clamp at the hard line for the return line, over on the passenger's side wall in the engine compartment - I noticed that there was no fuel dripping from it, as a matter of fact it was completely dry and didn't even smell of fuel.

So I jump over to the other side of the engine bay, remove the clamp/hose at the input side of the pressure regulator.. that caused a single, quick blast of fuel from the short hose off the fuel rail. THEN I pulled the clamp/hose on the exit side of the regulator and again, it's dry and doesn't look like it's had any fuel through it.

I suppose the D-jet needs the circulating fuel or it wouldn't be part of the system. Is there a way to test the regulator, lubricate and reactivate it? .. is it a common failure and does it sound reasonable that it's keeping my engine from starting?

ps - I don't have a spare to swap it out.