84 GSL-SE w/ EFI

Sat all winter in the Ottawa cold (read real F---ing cold!, several weeks of -30 Celcius). Come spring's somewhat arrival, I've cranked and cranked (dead battery, recharge, dead battery, recharge, crank some more) and it isn't turning over.

Spark is good, and the plugs are dry (I assume this is a bad thing).

I've checked the archives, but didn't see a lot of useful info on EFI.

Anyone got any good suggestions on things to check, and what could have gone bad through the winter?

Note: Bought the car, and the Haynes, but not much mechanic history with anything larger than a 2-stroke - The Rex was bought to be an education. I just didn't expect it to start this spring...I was hoping for evenings of playing this summer!

 

check your efi fuse and fuel pump

 

I second that have you tried throwing some gas in there and cranking it, see if it trys to catch

 

Does the tach jump while your cranking it? If not, your trailing ignitor might be dead, meaning the fuel pump work work as well.

~T.J.

 

Fuse is good, and all the fusible links.

MikeP, throw gas in where?

TJ, I did check, and the tach does jump (about 1/8th of an inch). Is that what you mean, or should it show a real value?

 

Yeah, thats what I meant. If its jumping around like that, youre good. You might end up needing to pull the injectors. Ive heard they can clog after periods of non use.

~T.J.

 

maybe you should buy some gas and fill er up. it really helps.

 

Know offhand if that is covered in the Haynes? Seems to focus mainly on the 12-a, from what I've looked at so far.

If not, would info be in the forum?

 

check to see if you are getting fuel to the motor. first remove one end of the fuel line from the firewall(of the two I believe it is the one toward the front)and put it in a clear container, then crank engine. see if it squirts gas. if not then short out the plug with the black boot on the passenger strut tower (with the ignition on).

 

Thanks Rich, I'm a lameass newbie who has read enough on the forum (daily as a reader, bimonthly as a poster) to realize that the Rex isn't always what it appears (i.e. relationship between 2nd coil and fuel injection).

 

This isn't directly related to your question, but it's a good idea to put a little oil in the lower spark holes before you start cranking it over and over after storage... it'll lubricate the rotors and it'll also help compression and provide a much easier start.

 

Another thought...read in the archives that you should hear the fuel pump (near the tank) click as it works. How loud should this be, and is it as the engine turns, or as soon as you have AUX power? I haven't heard it click, but didn't notice it clicking when the engine was working last summer.

 

Rocket, cranked it for two full charges (new-ish battery) and the plugs are dry...will the oil help in this case?

(Note: I'll definitely try it for other times, but in this case definitely seems to be related to the fuel system)

 

turn the key and short the fuel pump plug and you should here it stay on as long as it it shorted.

 

DO YOU....have gas in the tank?

 

Ya know, it is a logical question. Make sure you have gas in it. The gauges are notorious for being wrong on the -SEs.

So, if you do, try taking the fuel line off at the firewall and check for gas flow. I remember a thread a while back that someone had checked just about everything under the sun, and it turned out the injectors were plugged.

You could also try spraying some starting fluid in there just to see if it will fire. Just to make sure everything is "ok".

~T.J.

 

This is why I love my 12a. It wasn't starting, so I sprayed some gas in the carb.. it started for a half second.. disconnected fuel line from carb, cranked, fuel came out.. removed carb Problem being solved as we speak.

 

Thanks for all the help, I'll try out some of the different options (hopefully tonight).

BTW, wasn't sure how full I left the tank last fall, so I did throw in a 2 gallon jug that I had on hand.

I'll try the "oil in sparkplug holes" trick, but kinda want to at least see/smell gas first...from where I am right now, having the engine flooded would be a step up!

 

Yeah, be sure to check the flow at the firewall. If you get nothing, check the filter and pump. Its probably a good idea to replace the flter anyway .

~T.J.