nelmo

I recently changed coil pack, HT leads and plugs (to try cure what turned out to be an injector problem). Ever since, I'm getting intermittent starting problems - the engine turns, I'm getting fuel through (I can smell it eventually and I've taken the fuel system apart to confirm all the pumps work and filters are not blocked) but it just won't fire. It fortunately only seems to be a problem when trying to start up first thing in the morning (so I've not been left stranded anywhere yet). When it does start, it drives fine (no misfires, stuttering, pops or bangs etc) and when I come to start up to come home from work, it's no problem either, although a bit more hesitant than it used to be before the new bits. Battery is fine (12.4v before starting) and I've just tried another set of plugs as the first set were put in by the AA and were all he had in his van at the time. The new set (from Halfords, one of the 4-prong jobs) don't seem to have made any difference one way or the other. I bought these HT leads - could they be the problem? Are they known to be rubbish? I also got this coil pack - again, ok? This is for a 2004/5 2L Blacktop Zetec, FI. Any help appreciated - I'm supposed to be going to Goodwood tomorrow - don't want to have to go in the tin top...

Really?! Is this like the 'no petrol engined cars by 2040' promise ie. *bleep*s? ! Will be interesting to see how our National Grid (already at 95% capacity or something) handles that, considering it seems to take them 20 years to build a single power station.

Great to hear - sadly, I'm doing badly, only having got to one about 5 miles down the road. I had planned to spend an extra day in Wales after my track day in May, with a list of 10 or so to do but a breakdown stopped that. Must do better...

Just give up on it and get a GPS speedo - I'm in the process of doing that (although it seems to be my gauge that's died, sensor is fine).

Identical to mine - good choice

Should you ever use rubber for brake lines? Won't they swell with the hydraulic force, losing your braking force? If that's not a problem and you mean the exposed brake hose to the caliper, it's probably recommended to have it braided. Exposed to the elements, you don't want a stone cutting the pipe and losing all your brakes

Ah, that's interesting because mine has never worked and I was wondering how strict they would be about it - guess it depends on the garage?

It's a bit of a vague question - did the 2B come with a build manual? I know my Zero did not - I relied on reading lots of blogs from other builders and talking to the factory. You could try asking GBS (they took over Robin Hood) - I know they have a factory build order for the Zero because they sent it to me (can't find it now).

That garage looks nicer than my house - great job

GBS do them - expensive but probably the same size as your old ones: https://www.kitspares.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1022&search=Hinge

Yes, saw that and looks lovely but a bit too pricy. However, I've just noticed that it has a 0-60 timer and other features (weird the website doesn't make them obvious) - much more interested, might be worth the extra...

Yeah, I saw that one but the problem is it doesn't have a trip meter and I use my trip meter as a fuel gauge.

My speedo seems to be knackered - anyone recommend a GPS replacement? Not one of those HUD things but a dial shaped one? I've seen this one and this funky but more expensive one - any opinions or alternatives?

Wow, that's a low price isn't it? Better spec than mine and I would be hoping for £10k if I was selling - is the market that bad?

Seriously? Only £100? Emerald wanted £350 and I tried a couple of other places round here and they were about the same...for that, it might be worth it...

And if it doesn't survive?

I guess they'll just move Stoneleigh as well, no?

GBS sell these, not sure if they're what you need exactly: https://www.kitspares.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=43&product_id=630&car=43 They also sell the inner metal tubes to fit (although can't find them on the site).

Enjoy your retirement ....but you can never escape...bwa ha ha ha ha.....

There aren't any diagnostics in the Emerald ECU, just a data logger. Emerald suggested I use that and if I saw breaks in the signal for anything, that could suggest where the fault was. As it happened, I didn't need it - but interesting to use. @Zac, no, never done a RR. Too many other things I can spend £350 on....my worry is, will the session kill my car and will I notice the effects enough to justify the money? I'm perfectly happy with how my car runs now and while I'm sure it could be better, £350 better? I have done this before, spent a lot of money on something and afterwards thought, "well, it's a bit better but not a huge amount"...

OK, panic over - all seems ok... I went out to use the datalogger function in the Emerald software but I had to sit on the drive with engine running for ages while I tried to work out how to start the logger (Emerald could do with improving their manual) . Drove off and...nothing....smooth as silk (well, as smooth as it gets). I can only assume I had some dirt in an injector and either the extended warm-up period washed it through or it just washed through eventually? Have to see if it's still ok next time out, before I get too excited

No over-heating and I unplugged the crank sensor when replacing the starter motor (yeah - expensive month) and it seemed firm enough, although difficult to tell, I guess. Actually, that's an idea - try wiggling it while the engine is idling and see if it misfires? This is probably a stupid comment but I'm not using the cam sensor, I don't think - just googled where that is and I don't think I'm using it...

So, replaced HT leads, spark plugs and coil pack - misfire still there . I've also re-wired the plug into the coil pack. I started up the Emerald software but I cannot see anywhere that might show up errors - does anyone know if it has diagnostics? I will email Emerald about that... To summarise; Ford Zetec, FI, plenum (no TBs). Start-up, idle and gentle acceleration all fine. Hard acceleration and anything over 3k revs, engine misfires quite badly. What do we reckon next? I can't think of anything else to replace on the ignition side so injection? HP fuel pump? Injectors?

It was canned - they got over 2000 complaints about it which I think is maybe the official limit when it doesn't go further? Either way, it was canned... (there was a short news item in the Spring club magazine about it).

Doh!!! When I said I had seen clear lenses, I forgot about my own car!!