Stuttering, Stalling then Not Startiing - HELP

[bigwilly]

Hmmm,

started driving it back from in-laws today with her following me and this is what she noticed - needless to say it was towed home!

As i accelerated out the drive there was white smoke

when it started struggling blue flames shooting out the exhaust

when i gave up loads of sparks were flyying out the exhaust and a strong smell of burning....

Any ideas? The exhaust has been blowing for a while - that wont effect it though will it ?
according to the history the cam belts done 40k since replaced - has that snapped ?

[dinky1]

If its still starting then no, your cambelt hasn't snapped. A snapped cambelt means the engine simply won't run.

Blue smoke from the exhaust could be the next worse problem though: Possibly a duff piston ring.

White smoke could actually be white condensation/steam from the backbox although admittedly the flames are worrying..

Before doing my PCV my car became so useless it stopped on the roundabout and refused to move. I also had to get towed.

Apart from your flames through the exhaust, your symptoms are sounding very similar to mine.

[acshortt5]

A bit of White smoke for up to the first 10 minutes is normal as it's just condensation being burned off.

The flames would indicate that it is overfueling.

The maf sensor is a possible cause. An easy way to rule it out is to unplug it before firing up the engine. The ecu then uses a default fuel table. You will get a fault code for the maf being unplugged. Also don't hammer it with the maf unplugged. If overall running improves then the maf is at fault, but there could be other issues as well.

The sparks will probably have been bits of the cat.

[bigwilly]

Unplugged the MAF, Started her up and ran similar to when i starter her up early today! Will check the blowing/sucking dipstick pipe tomorrow.

a few things i forgot to add in my orginal text...

- it 1st started stuttering during some enthusisatic friday rush home driving with a car full. It was a very agressive 1st shudder under harsh acceleration.
- it was low on fuel (10litres or so)
- it has recently warmed up alot quicker than normal
- oil beneath the spark plug cover but i THINK thats oil i miss poured a few weeks ago.

I doubt any of the above will make a difference to the the cure but worth saying. Im researching the PCV valve as we speak.

Not sure if im allowed to do this but im not allowed to contact rufe regarding parts as i dont have enough post so please can someone ask him to contact me ?

[Chris_Rogers]

FYI the 10V engine does not have a MAF I expect you unplugged the inlet air temperature sensor.

Where is the exhaust leaking?

[bigwilly]

The thing i unplugged looks like this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Air-Temper...item2318da0d69

I think you're right haha!

It sounds like its leaking from the back box area, havn't looked to closely to be honest.

[dinky1]

Originally Posted by bigwilly

- it was low on fuel (10litres or so)
- it has recently warmed up alot quicker than normal
- oil beneath the spark plug cover but i THINK thats oil i miss poured a few weeks ago.

I doubt any of the above will make a difference to the the cure but worth saying. Im researching the PCV valve as we speak.

Not sure if im allowed to do this but im not allowed to contact rufe regarding parts as i dont have enough post so please can someone ask him to contact me ?

I've PM'd Rufe for you and asked them to drop into this thread to help.

Low fuel means it may of sucked up gunk from the tank. In theory the filter should block it getting through but it could also block the filter from supplying enough juice to the engine.

Warming up quicker than normal could mean its got a lean mixture (less fuel more air):

Originally Posted by Norwegian

If the signal is deemed to be implausible most engines will run rich to avoid overheating issues caused by a too lean mixture

That might support the theory of a blocked filter or injectors / fuel supply.

Oil on top of the engine is normal. We've had 3 safranes with this engine and all 3 of them have bits of oil sitting on top.

[bigwilly]

Thanks Dinky!

At 1st I was thinking that the filter was restricting so changed it and no difference so now im thinking it was dead and some sludge has got through.

However not sure what to do about that as obviously cleaning the fuel lines should be easier than the PCV

[Chris_Rogers]

Originally Posted by bigwilly

The thing i unplugged looks like this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Air-Temper...item2318da0d69

I think you're right haha!

It sounds like its leaking from the back box area, havn't looked to closely to be honest.

It's common for the exhaust manifold to crack on the 10V engine this will let in air before the lambda sensor and make the car run rich.

This maybe causing or adding to you problem.

I'd suggest unplugging the Lambda sensor see if it make any difference.

Have you checked for fault codes?

[Norwegian]

Originally Posted by Chris_Rogers

It's common for the exhaust manifold to crack on the 10V engine this will let in air before the lambda sensor and make the car run rich.

This maybe causing or adding to you problem.

I'd suggest unplugging the Lambda sensor see if it make any difference.

How is the top motor mount? If it's bad it will eventually cause the manifold or downpipe to break, introducing air into the exhaust.