Audi won't start

[Crusty Sills]

I've been trying to get the Audi Cabriolet ready for an MOT to sell. The other week I had the car running and stupidly let it run out of fuel.

Trying to start it again and I am getting nowhere.

 

I have changed the fuel filter in case it had sucked up some crap, put new fuel (1/8) of a tank and turned the key to put fuel from the pump to the fuel filter a few times and all of that works.

 

It turns over and over without starting and seems like there is an air lock.

Any advise gratefully received, Not the poor petrol on it and light a match type of advise though.

 

[Louise2cv]

No got a cut off switch that needs resetting has it?

[Crusty Sills]

Not that im aware of Louise.

[Bren]

If it is petrol try a blast of easy start.

[Rocket88]

Try tow starting it

[beko1987]

Can you remove a pipe somewhere upstream of the high pressure bit then crack it to see if it spunks out fuel? Might help rule that one out

[Louise2cv]

In situations like this (but on 2cv, so much simpler/less risky) I would have sat and turned it over until the battery was nearly dead, sucked the fuel through at the carb end or blown down the filler tube.

 

 

The other sure fire way to fix it was to give up and call for help. When help arrived the car would fire up on the button and make me look like an idiot.

 

Have you tried that?

[Guest Hooli]

Pull the line off the injector rail & turn the key on a few times? Might push the air out as it primes.

[PiperCub]

Can you remove a pipe somewhere upstream of the high pressure bit then crack it to see if it spunks out fuel? Might help rule that one out

 

WHS!

Remove pipe as far upstream as you can, put the end in a glass jar, stuff a rag in the top then crank the engine for a second or two, you should see a healthy burst of fuel in the jar. 

 

Never personally had an air lock problem in a petrol injection system, diesel yes, petrol no. 

[Crusty Sills]

I think ^^^^ this is my next task to see if fuel is getting to inlet.

Just need to work out which of the myriad of pipes is the fuel pipe

Bloody cars, hate working on them in the cold especially as it going anyway!!!

[beko1987]

The one that violently catches fire when you hold a lighter to it should be the fuel pipe

 

Not put the filter on back to front have you? Is that even a thing, I suppose it might have a one way valve in or summat

[Crusty Sills]

Filter only fits 1 way has a bigger union on the inlet to the outlet

Been out and taken the 2  pipes off (1 at a time) and get fuel from 1 and nothing from the other, it dribbled when I undid it. Guessing fuel should come from both?

If its an ignition problem cant think how that could have happened.

Will need to get a plug out now and check I have spark.

[scaryoldcortina]

Are you sure it stopped because it ran out of fuel?

[andy18s]

Not parked on a hill and the 1/8th of a tank sitting in the wrong spot?

[Crusty Sills]

There was limited fuel in it and it just cut out so that was my guess.

Its always started 1st time, had new plugs, cap and rotor arm.

although im now not so sure!!!!

[Crusty Sills]

No on the flat.

[The Moog]

Where are you?

[djimbob]

Is it an auto? Sure it's in park? If it is, shift it thru the gears a few times just to help make a decent connection.

 

DO not panic, it won't be anything big I'm sure

[Crusty Sills]

Ok, I have fuel to and from inlet so I must have an ignition problem.

Took the plugs out and they were wet with fuel.

Next up will be checking for spark but I'm by myself at the mo so can't check!

This is becoming annoying, may just sell it as spares or repairs!!!

I'm in Norfolk Moog.

[Mally]

Dry a plug on the gas ring or blow torch before you test for spark. If you have a spark warm all the plugs just before fitting them.

Mind, it burns your fingers.

Try start straight away before they go cool.

[The Moog]

Bit far away to pop over to help then.

[PiperCub]

Dry a plug on the gas ring or blow torch before you test for spark. If you have a spark warm all the plugs just before fitting them.

Mind, it burns your fingers.

Try start straight away before they go cool.

 

Good idea - You sir are clearly versed in the art of starting knackered old 2-stroke motors! 

 

Seriously tho' - having a set of HT testers in your kit is a very good idea - saves alot of guessing. 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_6?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ht+tester&sprefix=ht+tes%2Caps%2C174&crid=1BK9ATA5GZ45W

 

Could this be an immobiliser issue if one is fitted? (Cutting the spark). 

[DSdriver]

As Bren mentioned, try a squirt of easy start into the air inlet. If it fires up on the ether vapour and then stops it is a fuel problem but if it doesn't fire it is an electrical problem. Maybe.

[Mally]

Good idea - You sir are clearly versed in the art of starting knackered old 2-stroke motors! 

 

Seriously tho' - having a set of HT testers in your kit is a very good idea - saves alot of guessing. 

 

A set!  Only need one on a Bantam.

Have to keep moving it along on the car.

[omegod]

Did you give it loads of gas when trying to start it? may have flooded it but this is usually accompanied by it spinning over faster than normal, apparently the cure on modern cars is to hold acc pedal to floor while cranking as it will cut the fuel supply and let the cylinders clear