Long Crank?

Hi Joe,

There is no fire (I'm assuming you mean back fire), and also as far as Ignition is concerned, I have new spark plugs and Ignition coils installed. I checked each Spark plug while the engine was running (removed the coil and to see changes in RPM and held the Coil near the engine to see the spark jumping, and it did), and as such I'm content with Ignition.

As for fuel leak, have checked everywhere that I can get access to, and I can't see anything. The smell seems to be coming from the fuel Injector Rail.

Also, would like to add, after a length of time, the car seems to lose power somehow. Not a lot, but as it is Supercharged, it's like the Supercharger doesn't boost anymore. Also, this is very clear at full throttle, specifically at higher RPM. From around 4,000 RPMs, the engine bogs down, just doesn't really keep accelerating beyond 4,000 RPMs like it has been up to 4,000 RPMs.

On other Forums, they suggested the Fuel Regulator. Might that be an issue?

As for your suggestion, I will try that sometime today, and will give you feedback.

Thank you for your response, Joe.

Good day Joe,

I attempted as suggested, and the car started with no issues, and that includes no obvious smell of fuel.

The thing is though, in the mornings the car seems to start fine, but only after either a few repeated starts later in the day, or a start not long after turning the car off from a lengthier run time is the trouble happening. It's almost like the car produces both issues (long crank time, loss of boost pressure and therefore power) only when the engine is at operating temperature, and also if the car has remained not running for a few days.

From what I can tell from those two scenarios is that some component either gets hot and struggles to continue operating normally when it has been active for a long time, or that very component struggles to operate normally when it has not been active for a long time, and even then, only for a short time till the car eventually starts. It's awkward, I know.

In regards to the Fuel Regulator, would you have a location for me? I'll check it out today.

As for the smoke, none at all! I forgot to mention that the car was actually abandoned for nearly 6 Years, likely because of same issue. So, when I did eventually get it started, there was some grey smoke out the exhaust, but only then and never again. It's been two months since, and this issue has become quite evident now, and I'd also like to add a hesitation as well when flooring it on the list of symptoms, though again only when the engine is proper warm and at operating temperature.

I do really think it's the Fuel Regulator, the only other possibility being Crank Position Sensor. Oh, and also, no Engine Check Light.

Awaiting your reply.

Hi Joe,

Yes, the car starts normally after performing the procedure stated above. The car seems to jerk as well after a while, so yes, I think it has to do with fuel pressure somehow. Thank you for the image, I have found it. I'll check it out and report back what I find before proceeding with repair. On that point, is there a way to test? Also, is there a way to repair it, or straight replacement is the only way to repair?

Regards.

Wow! That is rather too extensive for my pocket.

But I get the gist of it. I think best way forward for me and my pocket is to replace, and then get feedback that way. Will let you know.

Also, apologies for the delayed response.

Hi Joe,

So, I acquired and installed the Fuel Regulator, and immediately there was a positive difference. The original fault (long cranking) disappeared, and she starts all the time first time every time. Power is nearly consistent every time regardless of conditions, but I say nearly because now, there is one new inconsistency: power delivery!

I can full throttle all the time, but soon as I hit around 4500 rpm, she bogs down. Worse still, I then lose supercharger pressure across the entire RPM range, even low RPM. Thing is though, once I turn the engine off and then on again - even if immediately, I regain supercharger boost pressure from idle but as before only up to 4500rpm, at which point she bogs down again and won't have the boost pressure till I turn it off again.

So yes, the Regulator was definitely a good huge step in the right direction, but we not quite there yet. I am not sure if this is normal though, as like I said it isn't actually my car and only drove it once many years ago before it was parked for 6 years. The owner is an old man, so I doubt he ever gets the RPM up there anyway, but I don't want to give back to him like that and hope that he never does take it up there.

I'm thinking fuel pump now. What do you think?

Regards.

Okay, I’ll give that a try. Is there anything specific I should be expecting to see?

Oh, I see, okay. I just hope it won't turn on Engine Light though. I don't have a means to reset it.

Oh alright, cool.

It isn't easy to recognize it though. Being the Kompresser version, the engine bay isn't quite like in that image above, and I don't really have as much time as I would like with the car. Will let you know though.

Hi Joe. Sorry for the silence... You know, Christmas and all that jazz...

I have yet to attempt the unplug as stated above, but also when I started the car last time, I learnt it had a fuel leak, left side just ahead of the rear wheel. I found out it is a common issue with these cars, but I'm not sure what exactly is leaking. I’m planning to Jack it up and have a look.

Regards.

Got the pipe out, downstream of 90/11 on your image. Can’t really tell what’s damaged, so will just replace the hole rubber pipe and new clamps and will let you know.