hot starting problem, fiat tc

[Faceplant]

Hi All,

In this warmer weather i have noticed the mog doesn’t like turning over when its hot.

it sounds like the starter motor is struggling to turn over the engine, though i only get this problem once the car has warmed up. initially i thought it was the starter motor, lazy solenoid or something. however after fitting a new starter motor its a little better but not much. It will turn very slowly 2-3 times and then turns quickly and fires.

The battery and alternator are only 6 months old.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[bmcecosse]

Ignition too advanced ? Is it 'kicking back' against the starter ?

[PSL184]

Also, make sure you have a good solid earth strap fitted engine to body and also make sure that brown (I think) cable from solenoid to starter is making a good contact at both ends....

[Faceplant]

ok, i checked the two leads to the motor and they have a good connection, earth lead is good too.

Ignition too advanced ? Is it 'kicking back' against the starter ?

come again?

the motor turns a couple of times really slowly then speeds up, the last motor did this when it died, it turned very slowly then stopped.

MOT this week, need a rear brake bulb, but the screw holding the lense is completly rounded out! its cracked at the top too, ordered a replacement today. Cant see anything else though i'm sure the tester will uncover something. They said they check for emissions for the year of the engine (fingers crossed!) and no comments on the modification so hoping to avoid the V O S A peeps as mentioned in the forum.

[jonathon]

Emmissions are not part of the MOT on a Minor, irrespective of the engine, it merely needs to pass a smoke test.

[plastic_orange]

They should only check for visible smoke on a Minor - even with another engine fitted - don't worry about mods.

Pete

[bmcecosse]

Yes - it's either the age of the CAR or the ENGINE - depending which is the older!!

[Faceplant]

OK, i'll ask again before they test it, though he was pretty certain when he told me he would check omissions for year of engine.

Its running pretty good so i recon it will be ok.

[bmcecosse]

If the CAR is older - that's the standard it has to pass - so 'visual for excessive smoke only'. Don't let him start faffing about with emissions test equipment...........

[morrisfixer]

My Morris fitted with 2l twincam FAILED it's MOT today on not having
a rubber cover on the brake pedal!! But that's not bad for car that's
only done 350 miles in a year And yes it's only a visual smoke test

steven

[bmcecosse]

Well done 'fixer' - are you bringing the car to Bo'ness show on 20 June ?

[MartinB]

I think the Fiat starter motors aren't very good, mine won't even turn it over when the engine is hot and that is with a 7.2:1 CR, although to be fair mine has probably been cooked a bit by the turbo. I used to have issues when it was atmo as well though but not to the same extent.
I will probably replace mine with a reduction geared starter motor when I get round to sorting it out.

Faceplant, where is your battery located, is it in the normal Minor position of have you relocated it to the boot. Long leads will reduce the voltage a fair bit. Mine has to go through a battery master switch and they are crap, the contacts go resistive after less than 6 months use which reduces the voltage to the starter etc.

[bmcecosse]

When I had a Landy with poor starting record in winter (my wife was using it - so it HAD to start!) - I fitted another battery - in series to the starter motor. It never failed to start with 24 volts on the starter! And the second battery was easily charged using a diode when the engine was running.

[Faceplant]

Battery is mounted at the front, its not been as bad in the last week, will keep an eye on it. If continues i'll consider a 2nd battery

good news is a first time MOT pass! woohoo!

[bmcecosse]

Good news indeed.