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Synthie77 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject: Engine will not start

Hi there,

bought a gorgeous 33 1.7 16V (built on 30.12.1990) a few weeks back and can't get the engine running. Sad

I first thought it was the main ignicioncable, which was not original, and changed it - it was'nt.
everything on the engine looks in very good condition. I now want to change the fuelfilter but don't know where to start.

Can anyone help me on this, or have any suggestions on wbat else it could be that keeps this beautifull engine from starting. Idea

Admin · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject:

Hi

Fuel filter is on the front bulkhead, below the steering rack on (for a lhd car) the drivers side of the car.

Are you getting any signs of life from the engine? One of the relays near the front strut mounts controls power to the ECU. That would be my first guess.

All the best

Keith
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Synthie77 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject:

I'll explain shortly what happens.

When I start the engine first time, it seems that it want's to start but turns off after a second. Trying to start it again does'nt make anything anymore.

If I leave it standing a nother day, same thing happens again. First time it starts and goes off after a sec., and starting then it just doe'snt do anything.

I also have to ask you (as I'm from germany and my english is limited).
What is the front strut mount Question

By the way. I'm so glad I found this page. Very Happy

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Red 94 1.7 16V SW P4

gritsop · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. You will surely find the solution to your problems as many people here consist the international gurus of Alfa 33 Wink

At the basics: Do you hear the fuel pump running for a few seconds when you turn the ingition on? The sound of the fuel pump is very distinctive and can give a clear indication... The pump is located at the left rear corner right next to the spare tyre well; just duck under the bumper and ypou will see it.
Have an assistant turn the ingition key but not firing up the motor; do you hear the pump running for a few seconds?

Keith means by refering to the front strut mount, the area where the top of the shock absorber meets the chassis. There are a bunch of relays in there controlling the ECU, lambda sensor, fuel pump etc.

Finally if you can take a couple of pics from your engine bay it would be very helpful to find any potential problem. There might be a detail that you probably don't see but for sure people here will notice and report back.

Regards,

Regards
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

Synthie77 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry, I don't know how to send a picture...

by the way, Your's was the first page I found about the Alfa Romeo33.
Very well done your Informations on restorating one of the most interesting cars in history.

Rick
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Red 94 1.7 16V SW P4

gritsop · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words Very Happy

You may host the pics in http://imageshack.us
Once the photo is uploaded copy the link provided and paste it in the message body. It is as simple as a couple of clicks Wink

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

Synthie77 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject:

Thank you very much, here's a first picture:

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Red 94 1.7 16V SW P4

alferr · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a start motor issue, try tapping the start motor with a hammer and see if this helps, if it does the brushes are worn out, if the battery is going flat it could also be an alternator problem, also check your battery Smile

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eagle3 · Alfa 33 Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 402 Location: France

Admin · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:00 am Post subject:

Hi

There are 2 main possibilities that I would check.

When you are cranking the engine it should trigger the fuel pump, but after that I think it is triggered by the air flow meter (idea is that if the engine cuts out the fuel pump does, such as in an accident). So a faulty air flow meter is possible. To diagnose the problem it may well be possible to run some (heavy duty) wires from the battery to the fuel pump so that it is definatly running then try cranking the engine. With luck it will start. If this is the case you just need to find the break in the wires from the AFM or possibly buy a new AFM.

Second possiblity is a problem with a temperature sensor leading to a very weak mixture when cold.

Do you have copies of the wiring diagrams / manuals?

All the best

Keith
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I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

Synthie77 · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject:

Thank you very much for all your help.
I am ever so glad to hve found this Forum.
I'll let you know when the car starts again.
Can't do anything at the moment as the weather in germany is quite cold and wet.

Rick Very Happy

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Red 94 1.7 16V SW P4

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 7:57 pm Post subject:

Hi,

experienced quite the same problem on a 16V lately.
the fuel pressure regulator was found to be the culprit, pouring excess fuel in the intake through the vacuum tube and flooding the engine at once.
unplug vacuum tube and crank the engine : if fuel gets out of the regulator, replace it.

regards,
zp

Synthie77 · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject:

hi zp.

sorry, my lingual qualitys are limited.

What does "crank the engine" mean ???
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Red 94 1.7 16V SW P4

Admin · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject:

Synthie77 · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 1:09 pm Post subject: Found the problem

Hi there,

at last my local garage found the problem.

And guess what, it's not a nice one. The cambelt on the drivers side has ripped. Expecting the worst, it's goona cost me about 1.000 EUR to get it fixed.
I've allready written a mail to AW-Delta to get some high quality parts (which are also cheaper than the parts from the garage.)
I just realy hopes everything works out well.
I'll let you know as soon as everything has been done.

For those who hav'nt heard of AW-Delta (www.AW-delta.de).
It's a german company just concentrating on Alfa Romeo - They have everything in parts.
I think they've got something to do with Autodelta .?.
You may need a bit of german as I don't know if you can order cataloges in english.

So have a nice christmas and a happy new year all of you, and "Keep those 33's going". Smile

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Red 94 1.7 16V SW P4