Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Fuel Starvation on startup

Recently my 07 +4 has failed to start first time when left for a few days. I can crank the engine for 5 seconds but she does not fire, however if I then switch off the ignition and try again it fires up instantly.

This problem only occurs when the car if left for around a week or longer.

I suspect there may be a tiny air leak somewhere in the fuel system so over a period of time the fuel in the pipes drains back into the tank. But then I would have thought the car would start but just take a few seconds longer than normal to pump the fuel through.

Maybe it is a feature of the ECU that if the car does not fire then you need an ignition cycle to try again.

Does anyone have any experience of this type of problem or any thoughts?

Thanks.

I appreciate that our cars are from different eras (well almost) , but the starting procedure for my Hotwire +8 is quite specific.

1 Ignition on
2 Wait for fuel pump to com into life (normally instantly)
3 Wait for fuel pump to stop (i.e. fuel rail is primed and at the correct pressure)
4 Turn key to engage starter

This is generally successful for me. I suspect it all depends what signals the ECU needs before allowing the start procedure to go ahead.

I may be wrong but I think most fuel injection systems have a return flow system to allow excess fuel back to the tank.

I believe that you would have an electric fuel pump that pressures up the system when you turn on the ignition. I always, well nearly always, wait until the noise stops and the immobiliser light stops flashing before starting the car.

My guess would be that you have had water down the spark plug holes and the porcelain of the sparkplugs is coated with a material that is conducting the HT electricity and weakening the spark whilst the engine is cold. Other than that there could be a world of possible causes: a faulty sensor would be the next best guess.

Thanks, I always for for the pump to pressurise before starting and my plugs are very dry.

I will have to do some investigation.

Hi Clock.  You might have a sticky idle control valve and no air? The ICVs on the Duratec are normally in the closed position and the solenoids have been known to stick. Try giving the engine a little initial air with the pedal and see if there is a difference. 

Thanks Roger, I will give that a try next time it happens.