Wasso Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Okay here's the problem. He owns an old tired Escort Mk 5 which has been enduring very intermittent problems with starting. For instance, it'll turn over but not fire. There is no rhyme or reason for it not starting due to weather conditions or temperature, it just won't start. Although persistent attempts may get it going again. Now, he's been to his local garage and they have tried many resolutions and their fix to the problem is to spray brake cleaner into the air intake and it will start first time. I've researched this approach which could be for 2 reasons. 1. To clean off dirt from the MAF 2. Fueling problems on startup He's been running the car for the last 2 months and not a problem, then all of a sudden the problem comes back. Suggestions I've come to are Faulty/Dirty MAF or Idle Control Valve, or even fueling? As mentioned this is intermittent so might happen today and tomorrow but not again for another week or month. Then it'll come back and repeat for a while. The brake cleaner seems to resolve the problem temporarily but what can be the route cause. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Dad thinks it could be something to do with fuel contamination or possibly electronics but the garage would have picked up on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 get a MAF or Idle Control valve from a breakers yard try them to see if the problem is cured it's a cheaper solution than buying new and maybe wasting money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 reading again is the Ford a high mileage diesel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 All cars use something called a Spill control valve or a stop control valve which is located on the pump. Over time these can fail and stop working. The stop control valve shuts off the fuel supply to the engine and therefore the engine turns off, when starting it should release it self and then allow fuel through. There are many reasons why it could be stuck. Blockage, solenoid is dead.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 Dad thinks it could be something to do with fuel contamination or possibly electronics but the garage would have picked up on those. I would have thought fuel contamination would be a regular event based on the fuel in the tank? Electronics of some sort, but why Brake Cleaner? This is what doesn't add up. Which leads me to think it's either fueling or dirty MAF? get a MAF or Idle Control valve from a breakers yard try them to see if the problem is cured it's a cheaper solution than buying new and maybe wasting money. That's a fair point, its about £40 for the two on fleebay. I'm really curious as to the purpose of the brake cleaner though, allowing the car to start first time. reading again is the Ford a high mileage diesel? It's got about 70,000 on a 1.8 petrol. But being the age it is, it could be a number of failing parts? Cheers for the input guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 My dad car used to have a problem like this turned out it was the crankshaft sensor or something. Changed it and it worked fine. That wasnt a ford though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 All cars use something called a Spill control valve or a stop control valve which is located on the pump. Over time these can fail and stop working. The stop control valve shuts off the fuel supply to the engine and therefore the engine turns off, when starting it should release it self and then allow fuel through. There are many reasons why it could be stuck. Blockage, solenoid is dead.... So why would brake cleaner start the car? I agree it would seem to be a fueling, sparking, electrical type issue, but it boggles me that brake cleaner starts the car, why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 All cars use something called a Spill control valve or a stop control valve which is located on the pump. Over time these can fail and stop working. The stop control valve shuts off the fuel supply to the engine and therefore the engine turns off, when starting it should release it self and then allow fuel through. There are many reasons why it could be stuck. Blockage, solenoid is dead.... So why would brake cleaner start the car? I agree it would seem to be a fueling, sparking, electrical type issue, but it boggles me that brake cleaner starts the car, why? Its super flammable. There was a spray like this made for diesels when its cold. I never used it as its not good for something in your engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 All cars use something called a Spill control valve or a stop control valve which is located on the pump. Over time these can fail and stop working. The stop control valve shuts off the fuel supply to the engine and therefore the engine turns off, when starting it should release it self and then allow fuel through. There are many reasons why it could be stuck. Blockage, solenoid is dead.... So why would brake cleaner start the car? I agree it would seem to be a fueling, sparking, electrical type issue, but it boggles me that brake cleaner starts the car, why? Its super flammable. There was a spray like this made for diesels when its cold. I never used it as its not good for something in your engine. So if you have an electrical problem - it will start If you have a fueling problem it will still start Okay - so the cleaner is like the defibrillator of the car world. But then after the injection of flammable fluids why doesn't the car not stall after it's go go juice injection? This is real confusing - and a shame the old car doesn't have OBD connectivity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 All cars use something called a Spill control valve or a stop control valve which is located on the pump. Over time these can fail and stop working. The stop control valve shuts off the fuel supply to the engine and therefore the engine turns off, when starting it should release it self and then allow fuel through. There are many reasons why it could be stuck. Blockage, solenoid is dead.... So why would brake cleaner start the car? I agree it would seem to be a fueling, sparking, electrical type issue, but it boggles me that brake cleaner starts the car, why? Its super flammable. There was a spray like this made for diesels when its cold. I never used it as its not good for something in your engine. So if you have an electrical problem - it will start If you have a fueling problem it will still start Okay - so the cleaner is like the defibrillator of the car world. But then after the injection of flammable fluids why doesn't the car not stall after it's go go juice injection? This is real confusing - and a shame the old car doesn't have OBD connectivity! I couldnt tell you. But maybe clean or check the crankshaft sensor? Mercs are notorious for it and all show the same signs you say. Although no one sprays brake cleaner in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mcgoo Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 I had a similar fault on a cortina. Could be a small air leak on the fuel supply. Left standing the air will get in the hose and fuel will drain back into the tank. It will then take a while of turning it over to get the fuel up engine. Spraying the brake cleaner in gives it something flammable to ignite then once fired it will pull the fuel in from the tank. Worth having a look for perished hoses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 I had a Granada with this issue, turned out to be the suppressor on the side of disy cap. Changed it, never missed a beat again, until I got T boned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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