misfire

[kurgen]

Hello peeps! Went for a 75 mile spin yesterday car never missed a beat. Came home, washed, hoovered, and put her away. This afternoon as the sun was shining I thought I'd take her for a little blast. Came to start her and she sort of spit back and didn't catch. Turned her over again this time she started but was missing. Backed down the drive lifted bonnet and revved her up a couple of times this seemed to clear it. Went for a good blast, again never missed a beat? Any ideas? Or just one of those things??
regards
Dave

[localad]

I think it my be "Just one of thoses things", Did the Engine management light flash up when the missfire happened? I did the same thing a while back washed the car missed fired then all is well, I could be just damp that has got into a spark plug or coil after washing the car !!!

If the car keeps missfireing, It's easy to test with an elanscan or the paperclip test you can do yourself (which is somewhere on the fourm) It should tell you if it is a Sensor such as a HAL Sensor which is common fault in the Elans this does go time to time which can cause a missfire (cheap now to replace).

Or if it still happens check the plugs first cheaper thing first !!! then the leads ..second cheaper thing ....and then the coils ! not so cheap!

Good luck
Andy

[kurgen]

No EML, I only sponged bathed her!!! so no water went under the bonnet. New plugs 1k miles ago. New leads at same time. I have a new HES if it is that. Funny how it went away as quick as it came?? I will see how it starts tomorrow after it's been stood overnight and has gone properly cold again. I might have touched the accelerator as i got in could that have anything to do with it?
regards
Dave

[Ade]

Hi Kurgen,
the same thing happened to me. I changed the spark plugs ,although I could see nothing wrong with the old ones . Fixed it a treat.

Ade

[chris.t]

Mine has sometimes done this. When starting the car always wait until the fuel pump has primed (the rushing/whirring noise). This is not a technical explanation but from my 20 years of experience it gives the sensors/controls time to check in with the ECU. The problems i have had occur when i haven't given enough time between turning on the ignition and cranking the engine.

[kurgen]

Thanks. I usually do wait for the fuel pump to prime, I can't remember if I did today!!!! Anyway as I said I'll try again tomorrow, and see how she goes.
regards
Dave

[GeoffSmith]

Had exactly the same not long into ownership. Could be caused by turning it over before the IAC is positioned correctly resulting in a blowback which is detected by the knock sensor, so the ECU alters the timing which gives rough tickover until things settle down. Other possible explanation was a stuck injector. I haven't experienced it for years now but I always wait for the fuel pump to finish priming, especially from cold when the IAC valve requires the largest movement.

[kurgen]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll see how it is this morning and let you all know. I do think it's one of those one offs though as it runs like a dream normally.
regards
dave

[kurgen]

Had exactly the same not long into ownership. Could be caused by turning it over before the IAC is positioned correctly resulting in a blowback which is detected by the knock sensor, so the ECU alters the timing which gives rough tickover until things settle down. Other possible explanation was a stuck injector. I haven't experienced it for years now but I always wait for the fuel pump to finish priming, especially from cold when the IAC valve requires the largest movement.

Yep! just what she did...fine this morning good as new again....patience prior to turning over is a must
regards
Dave

[ESM]

I find if it fires and fails to catch on the first attempt it will almost always start badly and run like a bag of spanners on the second. The only solution I have found is to put the accelerator pedal on the floor on the second go. This puts the ECU into 'flood clear mode'. It's not that well tested a solution (it worked once) because it is a very unusual event for them not to go first time. It'll be interesting to see if it works for anyone else.

[kurgen]

If she does it again I'll try that then
regards
dave