56 replies to this topic

[out on the bike]

Hi all after spending nearly 3 months trouble shooting my original not starting after missing a gear I have fitted a fully reconditioned head and now have full compression again but it still won't start.I have checked the timing more than once and it is spot.After trying to start it I removed the plugs and they were wet with fuel which rules out the injectors.I have put the plugs in the coil pack and rested them on the chassis(rear clam is off)turned it over and they were all sparking.So I have fuel,compression and spark but for some reason the car will not start.I do get an bit smoke coming out of the exhaust when I crank it over but doesn't fire up.I have had scan gauge plugged into it and it says there are no fault codes and I have also replaced the battery.I have checked all the wiring I can see and it all seems OK.I am now out of ideas as it seems to have everything it needs to start but doesn't.

[vocky]

blocked exhaust

[out on the bike]

blocked exhaust

Don't think it could be as it has a new full 3" 2ubular on it that has only done about 300 miles unless the cat has failed or maybe the turbo.More things to check at the weekend.

[vocky]

loosen a flange before the cat and try starting it, if the cat has melted then it will stop the engine running

[out on the bike]

loosen a flange before the cat and try starting it, if the cat has melted then it will stop the engine running

Thanks for that I will try that on Saturday though I hope it isn't the cat as it shouldn't of failed in under 300 miles.

[Ormes]

Crank sensor? ...though expect you'd get a fault code. Maybe cam sensor since you've had the head off? ...again I'd expect a code.

[Zoobeef]

As above, if your getting air, fuel and spark then are you getting the spark at the right time

[Exmantaa]

Not sure if it is possible to happenon a Z20LET, but are you sure the Engine is not phased out by 180*? So igniting on exhaust stroke?? You replaced the head, so...

[siztenboots]

disconnect the MAF

[Nev]

So sorry to hear this is still plagueing you dude. I think Ormes is the closest to what I'd guess is wrong. Some sort of crank or cam sensor failure. Please check that your cam sensor is fitted correctly at the top of the cam cover and the lead is plugged in correctly. Also check that the crank sensor plug is in correctly. If that doesnt work, try borrowing and swapping those 2 sensors overs. Also check that the TB is making its start up clicking noises when the ignition is switched on. If that isnt working I have a spare in my garage. Also check that the earth lead (its quite thin with an 'O' shaped spade connector) that is meant to be fixed to one of the ECU facia plate mounting bolts is connected - mine wasnt initially and wouldn't start as a result.

[out on the bike]

Thanks for all the advice.Things that I tried last weekend after the initial non start after checking spark,fuel and compression.Rechecked all the timing marks were lined up at TDC which they were then I went over the wiring again and everything was connected and that there were no spare wires.I also tried starting it with the maf disconnected as I have had to replace that before and I also tried with the cam sensor disconnected as I have read that if there is a problem with the crank sensor the car should start in limp mode with the cam sensor disconnected.My thoughts so far are as mentioned crank sensor or cam sensor but I am getting no error codes.The ecu has gone bad but I have no idea how to test that or as vocky mentioned maybe I have melted the cat or the turbo has failed blocking the inlet pipe/inter cooler though that is doubtful.I will have to get new sensors ordered so I can rule them out and see if it will start with exhaust disconnected before the cat.

[Nev]

Can you get a local with a VXT to come over for a day and swap the sensors over 1 by 1 ?

[out on the bike]

I have now tried disconnecting the cat still no start.Tacking the pipe of the top hat to eliminate blocked inter cooler/turbo still no start.I have rechecked all of the wiring and everything looks OK.I then plugged in the lap top with my eBay op-com and it has finally given me a code P0335(8)crankshaft position sensor "A" circuit malfunction intermittent.I have ordered a new crankshaft sensor and a new camshaft sensor to be on the safe side so hopefully that will sort it though it will now be next sunday before I can get them fitted and try it.

[out on the bike]

Today I have replaced the cam and crank sensors and it still will not start.But I did find something rather worrying when I removed the crank sensor I found that the end of it has been ground down and there were small metal filings stuck to it.looks like the engine is going to be scrap and possibly the car as I would hate to replace the engine only to find something else at fault.Also I have no way to transport the vx to a specialist and with no idea how much it could cost to be fixed I don't know if I could afford to have it fixed by somebody else.

[DarrylB]

Sorry to hear about your troubles try not to get disheartened.

I'm probably not going to be able to offer much more help than what's been suggested already, but have you checked the immobiliser and the earthing points?

[out on the bike]

Sorry to hear about your troubles try not to get disheartened.

I'm probably not going to be able to offer much more help than what's been suggested already, but have you checked the immobiliser and the earthing points?

Thanks for the input.I have checked all the wiring several times and as there is fuel and spark it shouldn't be an immobiliser issue.Also with the crank sensor worn down there must be something seriously wrong inside the engine as the sensor should not be touching anything.

[Ormes]

Feel for you mate. Was the crank sensor removed when it had the work done and could it have been fitted incorrectly somehow?

[out on the bike]

Thanks Ormes.The crank sensor hadn't been removed before as far as I'm aware. After a long think about what to do next I have decided that one way or another I am going to get my VX fixed as I have worked out that with the knackered engine even if I completely striped the car and sold it as parts I would probably not even get back what I have spent on it since I bought it. Before I start looking a what other equipment and tools I will need to get for removing the engine is there anybody near Lichfield Staffordshire that has good knowledge of these cars and engines that would be able to spare some time and have a look at the car with me on Saturday just to make sure before I start taking it apart that the engine is definitely the problem obviously there will be some beer money in it for them

[DarrylB]

Awwww man! If my VX wasn't in bits id love to take a trip up an help you out! I've removed engines from cars before but never stripped one down. Would be good learning opportunity for me!

[Ormes]

Thanks Ormes.The crank sensor hadn't been removed before as far as I'm aware.

After a long think about what to do next I have decided that one way or another I am going to get my VX fixed as I have worked out that with the knackered engine even if I completely striped the car and sold it as parts I would probably not even get back what I have spent on it since I bought it.
Before I start looking a what other equipment and tools I will need to get for removing the engine is there anybody near Lichfield Staffordshire that has good knowledge of these cars and engines that would be able to spare some time and have a look at the car with me on Saturday just to make sure before I start taking it apart that the engine is definitely the problem obviously there will be some beer money in it for them

Is examination of the bottom end shizzle possible by removing the sump and the balancer shafts? Sorry I am getting out of my depth now. Bring on somebody who's stripped an engine before and could maybe advise what could have eaten the crank sensor. Maybe post a picture of the damage to the sensor?