Help. Advice please.

[ardvark]

Yesterday car wouldn't start. Turned over nice and quick but didn't fire.
AA man came out and got it started.
This morning the same again. Again the AA man came out and did the same and got it started.
I asked him what he did. He said all he did was take the big black pipe off the EGR and sprayed some Easy Start in when I turned the engine over. Car started straight away.
I asked him what caused the problem but he wouldn't give me a straight answer.
Both yesterday and today the car had no problems starting at dinner times and home time. The engine runs smooth with no problems.
What do members think the reason for the car not starting first thing in the morning?
As I mentioned the engine runs smoothly during the day. It's the starting first thing that's the question.
ALL suggestions WILL be gratefully received.

[Arctic]

Originally Posted by ardvark

Yesterday car wouldn't start. Turned over nice and quick but didn't fire.
AA man came out and got it started.
This morning the same again. Again the AA man came out and did the same and got it started.

Both yesterday and today the car had no problems starting at dinner times and home time. The engine runs smooth with no problems.
What do members think the reason for the car not starting first thing in the morning?
As I mentioned the engine runs smoothly during the day. It's the starting first thing that's the question.
ALL suggestions WILL be gratefully received.

Hi Al.
He could not give you straight answer because he does not know, some quick advice though do not let him or any other AA person keep spurting easy start into the EGR has it will eventually have an adverse effect.

You car most likely has a leaking injector, get a leak back test done, or get it on to a T4 for a proper diagnosis.

Do you have an under bonnet fuel pump, how much fuel is in the car, do you wait for the glow plug light to go out, if so maybe trying just right to starting the car and not wait.

[ardvark]

Hi Arctic,
Thanks for your reply.
If it was a leaking injector would it not stop the engine starting all the time or only when it was cold first thing in the morning?

[ardvark]

Update for anyone interested.
This morning no frost and the car started no problem.
What the hell is going on?
Glad it started yes but it still begs the question what caused it not to start when frosty.

[Matt_75]

I had a non-start problem recently but it was different to yours as even Easy Start wouldn't get it going (turned out to be a stuck check valve). Anyway, whilst diagnosing it I found some threads that might help you:

Multimeter Tests for fuel pressure and cam sensor signal
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=69308
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=109615

Additional info on pressure sensor voltage
https://www.mg-rover.org/threads/cdt...1/post-5027500

Also, on my thread someone mentioned they had a problem where their car would only start on Easy Start and it was down to the HP Pump Regulator. Replacement seals are pretty easy to fit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183204100...mis&media=COPY

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by ardvark

If it was a leaking injector would it not stop the engine starting all the time or only when it was cold first thing in the morning?

Originally Posted by ardvark

This morning no frost and the car started no problem.
What the hell is going on?

Starting an internal combustion engine from cold, especially at zero or sub zero temperatures, requires all electrical and mechanical systems to be working to an optimum level.
A deficiency which prevents starting under unfavourable conditions will have a far lesser effect, and often none, when the engine is warm.
That is why you should take Arctic's advice seriously.

In this cold weather there will be high demands on car batteries. It would be a good idea to connect your smart charger to ensure that yours is fully charged.

Simon

Edit:
Could this be the reason why you're having problems?

[Arctic]

Originally Posted by Matt_75

I had a non-start problem recently but it was different to yours as even Easy Start wouldn't get it going (turned out to be a stuck check valve). Anyway, whilst diagnosing it I found some threads that might help you:

Multimeter Tests for fuel pressure and cam sensor signal
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=69308
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=109615

Additional info on pressure sensor voltage
https://www.mg-rover.org/threads/cdt...1/post-5027500

The above can also be the problem but i would purchase this set of O-rings for the HPFP regulator should it be them, as the above link has an O-ring missing.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334515824777

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Also the link Simon as posted will not help if the plug connector to the fuel rail STC4769A is not holding properly.
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There is a trick you could use if the tab has broken off to hold the connector plug on slip a cable tie through the end and pull then cut the excess off.