Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 116 Series (Alfetta Sedan/GT/GTV & Giulietta Sedan) => Topic started by: minipete on January 31, 2011, 04:28:45 PM

Title: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: minipete on January 31, 2011, 04:28:45 PM
We washed the engine bay of my friend's 90 yesterday and now it won't start.

Battery is healthy, it kicks over fine and fires then dies immediately.  Can't get it to run at all.

I have dried out the dizzy cap and cleaned all the contacts.  I have pulled all the plug leads and dried out any water that got down to the plugs.

It has a healthy spark and you can smell petrol when you pump the throttle.

Is there anything in the engine bay, maybe a sensor that could be affected by water and stop the engine getting fuel?

It's been sitting in my driveway in the 40 deg heat with the engine bay open hoping it will dry out but no luck so far.

Maybe it's like my dog and just doesn't like having a bath.

Pete

Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: JOHN G on January 31, 2011, 05:01:11 PM
You not suppose to wash engine mate.

You can degrease and or steam clean engine's.

Tell us exactly what you did was the engine cold or hot at the time?

John


Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: dehne on January 31, 2011, 06:33:00 PM
i wash my engine bay all the time i degrease then high pressure soap wash the high pressure rinse ive never had a prob but my friends do, what you need to do is
a. let it dry out for a day or so
b. if you can roll start it it will run like a dog for 30 seconds then all will be fine
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: minipete on January 31, 2011, 07:11:57 PM
The engine was really filthy so he hit it with some degreaser then the Gerni.

I've done this many times over the years successfully but never on a modern car with EFI and relays everywhere.

Now it looks great but doesn't go.

I will check the fuel pump relay if i can find it.  Seems like a lack of fuel to me.

Pete

Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: minipete on January 31, 2011, 10:20:18 PM
I tried again after dinner and finally got it going.  Runs like a dog.

Pulled the plug leads one by one to test for spark and the back 2 cylinders aren't firing.  Plenty of zap going through the lead and for some reason the plugs aren't firing.

In the morning when it has cooled down I will pull the plugs and have a look at them.  It would be a real coincidence if 2 of the plugs are duds.

Thanks to all those who helped.

Pete
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: dehne on February 01, 2011, 12:05:47 AM
because it forces the engine to fire and its not just trying to turn over with just bat power
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: dehne on February 01, 2011, 10:35:25 AM
ill tell you now that this does work water gets in somehow near injectors when normal car startoing with key it does not have the power to turn over properly and buy roll starting every thing if forced to move and turn over petrol is force through the lines and there for and water within is forced to move and hence yopu get a short burst of shit running then car goes back to normal, if your ever in bendigo im happy to show you that this does work
so once again im right just like always  :D ;D
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: JOHN G on February 01, 2011, 02:29:48 PM


DEHNE CRANE
DEHNE Crane
Dehne Crane.

Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: Sheldon McIntosh on February 01, 2011, 05:44:28 PM
Quote from: JOHN G on February 01, 2011, 02:29:48 PM
DEHNE CRANE
DEHNE Crane
Dehne Crane.

Ha ha   :D :D

Very good.
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: Paul Gulliver on February 01, 2011, 06:08:06 PM
QuoteQuote from: JOHN G on Today at 02:29:48 PM
DEHNE CRANE
DEHNE Crane
Dehne Crane.


Ha ha    

Very good.

You might have to explain it to the guy in Bendigo, who's never made a mistake . He mightn't be allowed up that late to watch it.


Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: dehne on February 01, 2011, 07:25:32 PM
i see my self more as allan shore, not danny crane, allan get more ladies  ;)
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: Evan Bottcher on February 01, 2011, 07:42:28 PM
I didn't get it.  Don't watch enough TV..?
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: minipete on February 02, 2011, 02:07:12 AM
I cleaned the plugs and it started and ran like a dream.  I think he needs to use better fuel.

Must be a coincidence it happened after an engine clean.

Thanks again everyone.

Pete
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: alfagtv152 on February 02, 2011, 07:45:26 PM
Hi Pete,
It happens from time to time,could of been moisture in the plug holes as they are deep in the head.
I took my 90 to crash repairer once for him to redo some work,paint pealing on the bumper,becaues Shannons said they guarentee all repairs for life.Long story short he wasn't happy about it and when I picked up the car it missed and ran like a dog,I wasn't happy and we nearly came to blows as I thought he may have done something vindictive but it just turned out to be plugs!.
Cheers
Andrew
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: JOHN G on February 02, 2011, 09:31:15 PM

Yes I forgot to reply to busy laughing at Dehne .

What I always do is is grab the air compressor remove the spark pulg leads and blow out the spark plug wells.

John.
Title: Re: Alfa 90 won't start - HELP
Post by: dehne on February 02, 2011, 10:14:16 PM
you people are tossers you think you know it all but ur mostly full of shit, here is the go come to bendigo(john i know this might be a little hard for you ) i will was my engine bay excessively so it does not start by key we will then hop in in ill roll start it then run like SHIT for about 30 seconds then all will be fine. i dont understand why u guys think that there is only 1 way to fix things you need to grow up a little a listen to others who have had these probs and have fixed them by there own methods and have worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!