MG Maestro LHD in Germany

[Mookie]

Hi there, I just bought this


http://40.media.tumblr.com/c9edf8501...hdyo3_1280.jpg

as far as I know, it is the only LHD MG Maestro in Germany.
It is a 1985 2.0 with 94.000kms on the clock and close to no rust.
The only problem is, it won't start...

[The Express Valeter]

Looks very nice indeed. I'm sure if you give some detail in how it won't start & what if anything you have tried someone may be along that can assist.

Welcome to the forum by the way!!

[Mookie]

Thanks for the welcome.
I do have checked ignition and it seems fine.
It seems to overfuel heavily though, as it smells like petrol and the spark plugs are completely wet if I try to start it for a few seconds only and I can't find the reason for it doing so.

[E_T_V]

Start with the basics. Rotor arms are a favourite. Check not only that it works, but also that you cannot rotate it by hand, i.e. it is still attached inside the cam.

[Mookie]

Rotor arm is new, as is dizzy cap. And still attached to the cam.
Spark is just fine at all 4 spark plugs.

More pics BTW

http://36.media.tumblr.com/53d47a68b...hdyo4_1280.jpg

http://36.media.tumblr.com/7a0cd48ae...hdyo5_1280.jpg

http://41.media.tumblr.com/847aa4621...hdyo1_1280.jpg

[E_T_V]

Rotor arm is new, as is dizzy cap. And still attached to the cam.
Spark is just fine at all 4 spark plugs.

Mir pics BTW

Worth checking as new rotor arms have been known to be faulty out of the packet!

Also when the rotor arm spins in the cam it is hard to trace this fault as the plugs may still spark outside of the engine but not once they are inside - It took me a lot of head scratching to find when my turbo had the same fault!

[BIGDAVE]

is the car fitted with a su carb.if yes check the float needle is not sticking

[Mookie]

No carb, it is the 2.0 EFI

And I will check the rotor arm!

[terreneuve]

Great looking car!

Have you checked to see if it jumped its timing??

John

[Mookie]

Yes, I checked the timing and it is correct.

Thanks for all the advices so far, keep 'em coming!

[Jeff Turbo]

Thanks for the welcome.
I do have checked ignition and it seems fine.
It seems to overfuel heavily though, as it smells like petrol and the spark plugs are completely wet if I try to start it for a few seconds only and I can't find the reason for it doing so.

Return pipe to the fuel tank could be blocked, pressure regulator could be faulty, auto choke could be stuck on

[G Force]

Thanks for the welcome.
I do have checked ignition and it seems fine.
It seems to overfuel heavily though, as it smells like petrol and the spark plugs are completely wet if I try to start it for a few seconds only and I can't find the reason for it doing so.

Hi Mookie

If you are certain the ignition is ok, for the spark plugs to be wet after only a short amount of time cranking over the problem is more than likely to be that the EFI ECU is faulty. That is the one inside the car usually in the passenger side footwell, but not sure if that still follows on the LHD model.

[Mookie]

@Jeff
thanks, will try and check all that this week.

@g force
I already took the fuel ECU out to check it visually. It is a pretty new looking replacement and looks ok so far, so I'd reckon this is not the problem.
And yes, it is in the passenger footwell on the LHD model as well.

[Mookie]

After a Lot of fault searching, the Maestro finally runs!

[Simon]

That's a wonderful looking car!

What was the problem in the end?