Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 23

Thread: Ford AU2 cold start problem

  1. #1
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default Ford AU2 cold start problem

    The AU2 6cyl has just developed hard starting on initial morning start up. I'd put Bosch platium plus 2 months ago with no issues til now. I pulled the plugs out to find No 2 & 3 had brown stains on the centre electrode with all the others still white. Me thinks it could be a weakning coil pack issue. Anyone else have the same problem? Or any other suggestions.



Look Here ->
  • #2
    Senior Member satchY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    601
    Thanks
    54
    Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts
    Rep Power
    220
    Reputation
    139

    Default

    dude change coil pack first i have had alot of experience in AUs dont mess with new plugs and leads its almost always the coil pack everytime there is a issue with the ignition system its a pain in the arse to change take your time and you will save yourself a fortune



    heres a guide to change it



    i can do this in less than 45mins now

    Cheers

    ps have you had it converted to gas ? as gas is harder to burn than petrol

  • #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    855
    Thanks
    59
    Thanked 94 Times in 70 Posts
    Rep Power
    238
    Reputation
    609

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by satchY View Post

    Cheers

    ps have you had it converted to gas ? as gas is harder to burn than petrol
    Just as an FYI if it's on gas the plug tip will melt before they colour, the ones in mine lost a big pile of the electrodes the last time the leads got dodgy. I had the injector on no.1 fail on the EB but I'd say satchY is correct if it's more than one plug.
    Hard starting first thing in the AU can be down to an old battery as well, it certainly was the cause for it in my ute.

  • #4
    Senior Member
    Godzilla's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    59
    Posts
    12,740
    Thanks
    16,580
    Thanked 7,201 Times in 3,648 Posts
    Rep Power
    2198
    Reputation
    79113

    Default

    What do you classify as hard to start, a long period of slow cranking period before it fires, long fast cranking before it fires, or a missfire once it starts for a few seconds till it clears its throat up?

    Long periods of slow cranking can also be the base timing is too far advanced. It can give the illusion of a flat battery.

  • #5
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default hard starting

    Ok more clarification. 5 second key turn, fires on less than 6 cyl stutters,does not start.Another 5 sec & it again fires on less than 6 cyl then with a tease of the throttle it starts, runs roughly for a couple of secs then all comes good.
    For the old mecanics it is as you have no choke on a cold day.
    Bloody modern cars.

  • #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    elimbah
    Age
    47
    Posts
    12
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Rep Power
    0
    Reputation
    10

    Default hard to start

    maybe your injectors are dirty or low fuel pressure,the injectors maybe leaking into the cylinder as you may notice black smoke from startup.

  • #7
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default cold starting

    No black smoke out of exaust

  • #8
    Senior Member satchY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    601
    Thanks
    54
    Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts
    Rep Power
    220
    Reputation
    139

    Default

    wort sounds like leads or coil pack mate personally i would grab new spark plugs first i think they were NGK stock for au2 (coventrys)
    then i would remove all leads and check them the ohms valve if there ok i would then grab a coil pack
    the 2 times this has happened to me its been the coil mate

    theres only 3 things that stop cars from going
    petrol,spark and water

    old school lol
    Last edited by satchY; 19-09-10 at 12:59 PM.

  • #9
    Senior Member
    Godzilla's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    59
    Posts
    12,740
    Thanks
    16,580
    Thanked 7,201 Times in 3,648 Posts
    Rep Power
    2198
    Reputation
    79113

    Default

    Work your way backwards from the plugs.

    plugs (yes you changed them but did you gap them?)

    Leads

    Coil packs.

    One other thing is disconnect your battery for half an hour to allow the ECU to reset itself.

    Is it on LPG? LPG is very dependent on spark quality. LPG like a XR6 Plug when on LPG with a closed gap, 0.2mm more closed is a good starting point.

    Is the water level dropping? These engines are known for head gasket issues if its the series 1 engine, a blown head gasket will also start on 4-5cly till its kicks the water out.

    Is your map sensor hose connected on OK. Its the tube that runs from the manifold to the fire wall on the passenger side, its a small tube only about 1 cm thick leading to a small box with a electrical plug. These hoses are known to crack/split that hard to see, if your on LPG they are known to split with backfires too.
    Last edited by Godzilla; 19-09-10 at 06:39 PM.

  • #10
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default hard starting

    Thanks Godzilla, it is duel fuel & just developted this problem(before plug change) for no obvious reason. No recent backfire. After a few seconds running it seems to come good. scratch scratch.

  • #11
    Senior Member
    CONAXLE's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    802
    Thanks
    91
    Thanked 238 Times in 133 Posts
    Rep Power
    287
    Reputation
    3179

    Default

    Check your fuel regulator,maybe there's a tiny leak in the diaphragm-(for Petrol start up) and I suggest your switch on LPG/Petrol.Also if you can get to an LPG place for Converter calibration condition.But I suspect more likely as everyone mention it'll be the ignition coil pack.

  • #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    570
    Thanks
    464
    Thanked 77 Times in 53 Posts
    Rep Power
    226
    Reputation
    450

    Default

    For the old mecanics it is as you have no choke on a cold day.
    Bloody modern cars.
    does the auto choke work?

  • #13
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    666
    Thanks
    742
    Thanked 60 Times in 41 Posts
    Rep Power
    234
    Reputation
    721

    Default

    maybe it's starting on both fuels? not uncommon

  • #14
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by anyone View Post
    does the auto choke work?
    Better now that I pulled the friggin chook out of the throttle body

  • The Following User Says Thank You to hogwort For This Useful Post:

    Godzilla (20-09-10)

  • #15
    Senior Member
    Godzilla's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    59
    Posts
    12,740
    Thanks
    16,580
    Thanked 7,201 Times in 3,648 Posts
    Rep Power
    2198
    Reputation
    79113

    Default

    Do your plugs first.

    (yeah i know your swearing you changed them)

    XR6 plugs, 0.2 less gap than factory recommended gap.

    If your a tight arse, do it to your current plugs, close the gap on them and take out your old ones look at the color of them, if 1 or 2 look too clean or rusted.......head gasket time.

    Then go for the leads.

    Lpg is very spark reliant, a little weak and it will run like a dog.

  • #16
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    154
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 32 Times in 25 Posts
    Rep Power
    182
    Reputation
    152

    Default

    Tighten the inlet manifold bolts and check for leaks around the manifold gasket.
    Had the same problem on my old Au.
    Last edited by officemanager; 21-09-10 at 01:23 AM.

  • #17
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default

    Update. Took it to an auto lekie & he didn't know what thethe plugs problem was. Next was the local mechanic, he suggested by the colour of the plugs & a look at the plug book he suggested it was excess lead????????

  • #18
    Senior Member
    Godzilla's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    59
    Posts
    12,740
    Thanks
    16,580
    Thanked 7,201 Times in 3,648 Posts
    Rep Power
    2198
    Reputation
    79113

    Default

    One other thing i forgot to mention and some im repeating......(muttering to myself that ive worked enough on these cars).

    If the O2 sensor is shot it will run rich like a tractor.

    If the MAP sensor hose is cracked or the MAP sensor is buggered or the electrical plug is loose it will run like a dog (and drink like anything)

    If the ECU has learned on LPG, it will start on 4 cly when on petrol as its learned to run your car on the rich side....disconnecting your battery to reset the ECU puts all your mixtures back to base levels.

  • #19
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default

    Thanks all. Had the battery lead off for 1/2 hf + so will see in the morning how it starts.

  • #20
    Premium Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    448
    Thanks
    205
    Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts
    Rep Power
    211
    Reputation
    698

    Default

    Started fine this morning. Will try again tomorrow after switching over to gas.

  • The Following User Says Thank You to hogwort For This Useful Post:

    Godzilla (23-09-10)

  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •