Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Stubborn start M3W

Recently my 2014 M3w has gotten progressively harder to start to the point where it hardly starts at all. The car has 17,800 miles. I have over the past weeks replaced plugs, fuel and air filters, and the battery. The problem just progressed. It almost catches right at the start. When it starts it is right at first crank. When it starts it runs fine, idles effortlessly, plenty of power, no flat spots. The starter engages and turns handily, the voltage drop whilst cranking is about 1.4 volts. I've got spark and fuel pressure. I'm all out of ideas.

Pin hole fuel leak? Does it start well when warm?

And your foot is completely off the the throttle? The ECU won't permit a start if the throttle is opened.

Does it always start eventually?

Once it's been started during a day, are subsequent starts that same day easier or the same (stubborn)?
Easier starts after first start can be related to wet sumping.

The problem was restarting at first. Warmed up is no help.

I usually start it while standing next to it. No throttle.
As I said it does sometimes start, usually on the first try or not at all. Why it does or not is a mystery. It's gotten worse and worse. Have recharged the new battery twice from experimental cranking.

With the ignition on, but not running, I would check the fuel system pressure at the valve on the right injector housing. Then I think the next thing I would try would be to hook up the S&S software and check things like the temperature sensor and crank position sensor values to see if they make sense. Then basically work through the fuel/spark/compression variables until you find the issue. Intermittent issues are always the hardest to diagnose. Sorry to not be more help.

If it’s not fuel and you have a healthy spark on both cylinders, I would check if all is well with the timing, starting with a visual of the belt assembly?

My M3W is also a 2014, and suddenly began the hard starting scenario. Not long after, the front pulley bolt unscrewed itself through the front cover requiring the front pulley upgrade kit with new pulley and belt...What I found when installing the new pulley, is that the drive design between the crankshaft and pulley is marginal, in that it is just 2 flat spots on the crank which drive matching flat spots in the pulley bore. This had got worn or hammered, and resulted in an estimated 3 or 4 degrees of play in the pulley (no wonder the bolt unscrewed itself). What I did on assembly was put JB Weld epoxy in the pulley bore at assembly to fill the gap in the flat spots. I am still not sure how well it will hold up under the temperatures, but so far so good. After this replacement, no more hard starting.
The next place you might check is the front pulley. Try to determine if there is rotational slop. And make sure it has the bolt upgrade kit installed.

Here's another wrinkle. In the past this condition has stranded me and twice I've been rescued by a jump start. Also twice in my traveling I've parked it on a hill and bump started it. In all these cases it fired right up. I raise this now because this morning I jump started it with its good battery. The voltage read 13.4. It popped to life immediately and as ever before ran smoothly for a forty minute drive. Sad to say this same arrangement didn't work this afternoon. How come it only has this trouble when relying on its own starter? Sure was nice to have it up and dancing for a bit.

Is your battery failing & not turning the engine over fast enough? My 7 year old original Banner has been failing, yesterday even after taking it off charge & showing 12.7V it had enough for 2 attempts & then the clicking noise & not turning over. New battery needed, Yuasa URI ordered due tomorrow, would have prefered Exide AGM 12-31 but long delivery times with all suppliers. Mark, depressing the clutch reduces the cranking load a little.