Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Engine not starting!

Hi all. I have a 1986 Morgan plus 4 with a Fiat 2 litre engine. Yesterday whilst driving the car (without any issues over a trip of about 30 miles), I hit a steep hill near my house and the engine power just went and it stalled. I tried to start it and although the engine turned over fine, it did not fire.

After I towed the car home, I checked to see if there was a spark at the plug and there was. So I'm pretty sure the problem is fuel not reaching the carb.

I don't know what type of fuel pump is on the car and when I turn on the ignition I can't hear any mechanical pump noise.

Just wondered if anyone could suggest something to test if it is a fuel problem.

Ps- I have checked that there is fuel in the tank!

Many thanks

Suggest checking fuses, relays and connectors as a start. With relays in particular ensure fully pushed home and maybe consider changing the fuel pump one if no improvement.

On my old 1980 Fiat engined Plus 4 it was an electric fuel pump in the rear near the fuel tank.

On a vehicle of that age there is probably rust and sediment in the steel tank, which can get into the fuel feed and clog the filters - pump, fuel line and in the carb.

Going up a steep hill could have caused the sediment/rust to shift in the tank. You could have a look inside the tank with an endoscope type camera (not expensive on Amazon).

On my car I ended up replacing the old steel tank with an alloy one.

I would first check fuel is getting through by finding a joint in the fuel line in the engine bay. Disconnect and turn on the ignition with a container to collect any fuel being pumped out.

You could also try spraying some cold start into the air cleaner/carb inlet and then attempt to start the car. If it fires briefly and then stops, then that shows it is lack of fuel arriving at the carb, ie the fuel pump, or a blockage somewhere. Assuming it has a carb - or is the Fiat Engine EFI?

Hot engine not starting?
Had that for quite a while with my Fiat 2.0...

Discovered the cold start kicking in no matter what temperature the engine had.

I will send a photo tomorrow morning, where to disconnect in case. It is definitely a solution for my car.

Miklos

Found an engine pic...

Try that for a hot start - it must be a typical Fiat thing - learned it at the Fiat workshop.
Disconnect for hot start and the engine will fire...

Fuel level low? Hill?

Dear all … sorry for belated reply but have been away. Thank you all for the really helpful tips and advice. The car has no carbs and is EFI, so I was unable to try the cold start (@SCX358G)
I did locate the fuel pump and gave both it and the fuel filter a tap with my rubber mallet. I then tried the ignition again and unbelievably it started! The car engine was cold by this point, so not sure if it was the hot engine fault (@Mkiss).
The fuel level was quite low, but not low enough to stop the fuel on a hill and I have used it on a run since starting (thanks @ScotiaSteve).
The debris in the fuel tank was a great suggestion (@BigLes), and I think I will get the tank inspected along with changing fuel pump, lines and filter, also thanks @Richard V6.
Finally, thanks @ GrumpyPa, if it didn’t start, your suggestion would have been a good first check.
Really appreciate your help and knowledge!
Cheers Smuggs