Hpi Petrol Engine Not Starting

[punkieys17]

New member trying to get my 2003 C5 HPI back on the road after a year. The battery was replaced and i followed the complex initialisation procedure. Whan I try to start the car the engine kicks but wont start. If I floor the accelerator the engine fires but is very lumpy and fails very quickly (less than 2 seconds). I get no indication on the dash its an immobilser problem, I've replaced the coil pack with no change. I scanned the car and the only thing reporting is the intake air temperature sensor which is out of range. I replaced it but the scan hasnt changed. Surely this woudn't shut the engine down and cause it nit to start? Any ideas on what to check would be gratefully recieved. Julian 

[Porsche430]

What engine is in the vehicle? What size and fuel type? Sounds like a petrol as you mention coil packs but never heard of HPI! What is the CC?

 

I take it the car ran well before being stored for one year?

 

Wouldn't harm to replace the intake air temperature sensor and clear the faults - may be confusing the ECU.

 

What I would like to do if I could would hook the car up to Citroen's Diagbox and check the parameters when turning over! Will show information regarding fuel pressure, spark, etc ...

 

Have you check the spark plugs? Will the starter motor turn the engine every time to turn the key? Plenty of fuel in the tank? Clogged air filter? Sounds likely as it turns better when throttle is open. 

[punkieys17]

Hi Porsce340,

Yes its a 2 litre 16v petrol model.

I relaced the IAT but the fault remains - so slighly puzzled  - I'm going to buzz the wires through.

Ive got a citroen scanner -will see if it does live data - but it stops so quickly not sure if I can get data - more later.

The spark plugs were new last year - but admittedly I haven't checked them, The aire filter was new last year and the car hasn't moved ince - easy way for me to check is temporarily take out the filter completely.

[paul.h]

If it is running a bit you must be getting sparks so it may be a fuel problem or air/fuel mixture problem.

 

When you hook it up check for live data before trying to start the engine:

- check the coolant temperature which should be similar to the outside air (about 5°C),

- the inlet air temp which should also be the same (Haynes says it is integral with the throttle housing so possibly you replaced the wrong sensor),

- the fuel pressure (Haynes shows a sensor for the high fuel pressure after the high pressure fuel pump),

- Haynes shows an inlet manifold air pressure sensor (MAP sensor) so check its readings and is not blocked with oil,

- check the throttle body and throttle plate are not gummed up with carbon (clean with something like carburettor cleaner or a cloth damp with white spirit/turps).

- You could also check the air inlet and exhaust do not have anything blocking them.

[coastline taxis]

start by cleaning the throttle body out and see if it starts.

 how much fuel is in the tank if its only a little bit it might of went off as it dosnt last long now.and need draining

can u hear a buzzing from under the back seat when u put the ignition on (low pressure pump).

what scanner are you using as a lot of them arnt compatable with c5,s and could be giving u the wrong codes.

And finally the petrol models are well known for the high pressure pumps packing up.

[madmadmax]

drain the tank and put some fresh fuel(the good stuff) in it,  don't jump the gun with replacing big parts yet. lexia can do evrething, it sounds like it just needs to be run abit.

 

prime the fuel system befor you start it see if that makes a diffrance i am not shour how to do it on the petrols but on the diesels you switch the ignition on to position 2 wait 10-20seconds and cycel it like that 10 times, also spray some starting spray or somthing that will make the engine speed up and sprey it round the vac pipes and throttle body this will show air leakes. be carful of hot manifolds and flamabul sprays!