- Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:53 am
#3860699
I take it that she'll turn over but won't fire up?
If so, you may need to clean the IACV(Idle Air Control Valve) which is attached to the throttle body. Its purpose is to open to allow air into the engine. If it is stuck shut, then no air can get in and the ECU won't allow a start because of the over rich mixture.
Mine did this last year(2003 EP3). The IACV eventually stuck shut. The engine was turned over and over until battery was nearly flat. It was getting spark but no air to mix with fuel. Whilst doing this, petrol was being pumped and dumped down the exhaust.
When the RAC man finally coaxed it into life, there was loads of blue smoke coming out the back. It was running rough, so he took the IACV apart, cleaned it, put it back together, and it started properly first time afterwards. Proper warm-up idle speed and proper idle speed once engine had warmed up. No more blue smoke. ECU able to control the correct amounts of fuel and air. Car has since passed two MOT's with no hiccups on the emissions, so all OK there.
Mark