donington

[evolution]

Donington kitcar weekend 1st/2nd september. Is anybody planning on going?
Steve

[YellaBelly]

I'm hoping to, assuming the car is running properly by then and the weather isn't manky!

[evolution]

Always depends on the weather . What's up with the car?

[YellaBelly]

Don't get me started

See http://bristolkitcarclub.co.uk/smf2/index.php?topic=2197.0

I managed to get about 100 miles done before the issue with non-starting when hot  All I want to do is drive the damn thing! I'm going to set the timing at around 6deg and re-check all connections in the hope of putting this one to bed.

I was supposed to pick up another starter motor today but it won't be in until tomorrow morning now. I just hope it sorts the issue out.

In the meantime I'm 'tinkering' with the car

[fullpint]

Not sure if this will help you track the source..
What usually causes bad warm starting (on any petrol-fuelled car, not just an Impreza) is what's known as vapour-locking. Basically, the fuel in the lines on top of the engine evaporates from the heat, so there's none there to prime the injectors (or carb) when you go to start it back up. You won't notice anything with the engine running, because the pump's continuously replacing any lost fuel then. With the Impreza's engine layout and the fuel lines all running literally right across the top of the block, the potential for this might well be a bit worse than on a conventional in-line 4-cylinder, admittely.

The only way I could think changing a water temp sensor might help is by keeping engine temp slightly lower, if the old sensor was misreading (less heat = less evaporation), but I doubt very much this is the main problem. The root cause is still going to be either a weak fuel-pump, and/or something in the manifold end of the fuel delivery circuit (fuel lines, fittings, gaskets, o-rings, etc getting marginally porous from age, or a weak FPR), all of which would be totally consistent with the smell of fuel you mentionned.

Of course, if you're going to work your way through figuring out exactly which of those components is to blame, this might be the perfect time to upgrade to a Walbro and/or do a parallel fuel line mod while you're at it

[evolution]

Don't get me started

See http://bristolkitcarclub.co.uk/smf2/index.php?topic=2197.0

I managed to get about 100 miles done before the issue with non-starting when hot  All I want to do is drive the damn thing! I'm going to set the timing at around 6deg and re-check all connections in the hope of putting this one to bed.

I was supposed to pick up another starter motor today but it won't be in until tomorrow morning now. I just hope it sorts the issue out.

In the meantime I'm 'tinkering' with the car.

If it helps I have a generator for sierra cosworth, bought it thinking mine was up the duff only to find mine is non standard due to size restrictions so it's sat in my garage.  Is fullpoint's diagnosis possible?  Had a few issues with warm non starting on several bikes I owned and the problem on all was different, but only one linked to fueling.  In the main it was electrical leading to starter motor - solenoid, relay, broken wire in one case and faulty alternator in another.  I'm about this week if help/tools needed, but I suspect, other than annoyance, you're secretly enjoying the tinkering. When I had issues with generator it gave me the excuse to rewire some dodgy looking items and this was how I traced the fault (ignition switch wiring).
Steve

[YellaBelly]

@Fullpint, I think you may have got me confused with someone else chap? I don't have an Imprezea, and I certainly don't have a smell of fuel (I hope!). I have had a similar issue to this in the past and stripping/cleaning the starter seemed to cure it, if only short-term. So that's why I am going for another starter motor. This one is an unknown quantity anyhow and I noticed yesterday that it is showing quite a bit of wear at the cone end where it moves side-to-side by at least 1mm or so and that cannot be good!

@Steve, Thanks for the offer chap, if I still have the charging issue then I may have to have a chat about that Cosworth starter. When I originally bought the clocks they were from various sources so did not match and being picky I bought a matching set which came up cheap. The trouble is, they are all damped, and the voltmeter never did work too well and always seemed to take for ever to read, so I swapped back to the old one which reads instantly. At least that way I will have a better indication of the battery condition.

I should pick up my starter motor today, so watch this space

JB

[evolution]

No problem, give me a shout if needed. I'm in Severn Beach and have a bit of time on my hands. Was there a delay with starter delivery?
Steve

[YellaBelly]

OK thanks.

Yep, the starter should have arrived yesterday but the guy in my local factors said the company needed a part so it will be today. Not that time is a problem with this weather at the moment

[evolution]

You're not wrong. Skies have just opened here too. A lot of what I'm doing at the moment I need the garage so you might say I'm getting rained off  Good luck