How Do You Check Plugs Are Sparking?

[levizzle]

I want to rule out spark plugs being part of my problem of engine not starting. How do you check that there is spark on a RB26? I have taken the cover off, but then the amplifier thing that connects to the leads isnt screwed down and grounded. Does this have to be grounded if I try cranking the engine?

[BrynDETT]

ground the metal part of the coilpacks (the part with the screw holes) and you allso need to ground the thread on the spark plug...

EDIT: ohhh ur talkin about the ignitor on early rb26's? square bit at the back of the valley cover?? if so just earth it anyways...

EDIT: use some jumper leeds or any cable you have lying around to ground those 3 things

Edited April 25, 2011 by BrynDETT

[DVS JEZ]

Unbolt all the coil packs, take the spark plugs out (or buy a spark plug tester from repco etc) push the spark plugs into the coilpacks and plug the coilpacks in. Make sure the ignitor is plugged in. Rest the thread of the spark plug against an earth(a non painted metal part of the engine) and get some one to crank the engine. U will see the spark jump from the centre electrode to the earth electrode of the spark plug.

[levizzle]

Ok thanks, I will give that a go tonight if i have time. I hate doing stuff with spark plugs on these motors, friggin 4 bolts per plug!

[levizzle]

First 2 plugs sparking, do I have to check the rest? It is demonstrating sparkage and i am worried about draining the battery cranking so many times without it starting to recharge.

[DVS JEZ]

now check for fuel flow, put all the spark plugs back in, take off the fuel line from the fuel filter to rail and put into a empty coke bottle, turn key to on and see if fuel flows into the coke bottle for 4 seconds,

[levizzle]

Ok do that tomorrow, its too dark outside now and I am getting attacked by mozzies and giant grasshoppers that came out of nowhere. Had a quick check of the plug going to the fuel pump with multimeter as shown in the repair manual. Getting battery voltage when ignition is on, but when cranking its getting about 11v. Is this bad or should it still start off that?

[DVS JEZ]

thats fine as the starter motor draws a fair amount of the voltage.

Even though there is power going into the pump doesn't mean there is fuel coming out of it.

[levizzle]

Yeah exactly, which hose is which on the fuel rail? I assume the one that goes into the regulator is the main line, what is the other one that is right next to it and kind of follows the same line is that a recirculating line or something?

[3LGODZILA]

ive got an inline spark plug tester, its the shit

EDIT: yeah thats the line. if your getting fuel flow the next step would be to check injector pulse, i got an ABW kit from coventry's for cheap and it tests every type.

if you have spark, fuel and injector pulse unfortunately the next thing to check is compression

Edited April 27, 2011 by jimmys-33T

[levizzle]

Had no luck getting the fuel line off, its too stiff and there is like an inch of room around it. Is there another spot I can get at it? After that failed I wanted to check the ecu and after taking it out I discovered 3 wires cut. That seems bad, but when I looked up the ecu pinout it didnt seem as detrimental. Looks like wires for pin 40, 59 and 53 are cut, which are 40-nothing? 59- control unit power supply and 53- vehicle speed sensor (the wire has bullet connectors but they were not connected) Shouldnt these wires be attached? I am guessing the vehicle speed sensor is cut to stop the speed limiter. The car has run without these being connected so do these need connecting?

Also I got a ecutalk unit, its pretty cool for the things it displays. Plugged it in today, no faults/errors. But i took a pic of the display, are the afm supposed to be greater than 0 when the car isnt running? I wouldnt think so!

(edit) i just read that its normal to have a small reading on the afms

Edited April 28, 2011 by levizzle

[DVS JEZ]

you really need to get the fuel line off, follow the one from the top of the fuel filter, the other end, then disconnect it there, undo the clamp, then try and twist the hose over the pipe so that it breaks the bond, then put the hose into the coke bottle as previously discussed and turn the key to on and see if the pump is flowing.

[levizzle]

you really need to get the fuel line off, follow the one from the top of the fuel filter, the other end, then disconnect it there, undo the clamp, then try and twist the hose over the pipe so that it breaks the bond, then put the hose into the coke bottle as previously discussed and turn the key to on and see if the pump is flowing.

So I took the line off coming from the top of the fuel filter, it started leaking out like a siphon so I lifted higher to stop it leaking. Turn the ignition to on, no fuel coming out, turn to cranking, no fuel coming out. Dead pump is hopefully the one cause to this. So if I got voltage at the plug going into the pump, it wouldnt be caused by a fuse or anything would it. So anyone got a cheap gtr fuel pump?

[SargeRX8]

So I took the line off coming from the top of the fuel filter, it started leaking out like a siphon so I lifted higher to stop it leaking. Turn the ignition to on, no fuel coming out, turn to cranking, no fuel coming out. Dead pump is hopefully the one cause to this. So if I got voltage at the plug going into the pump, it wouldnt be caused by a fuse or anything would it. So anyone got a cheap gtr fuel pump?

Why replace a 20 year old fuel pump with another 20 year old fuel pump?

[levizzle]

Why replace a 20 year old fuel pump with another 20 year old fuel pump?

cause i can

[DVS JEZ]

lol, best not to Levi, get a new pump, don't wanna start an argument with the walbro haters but get a walbro $200 ish and rewire the fuel pump,

[SargeRX8]

cause i can

Why replace bald tires with bald tires? Seriously, because you can is a shit response. Replace an aged and dead component with something aged and dieing... Cool.

[levizzle]

Geez someone is taking it a bit too serious, I was joking, but you can replace a flat tyre with a bald one if it gets u home, not the best but it does the job. And yeah I am getting a walbro, hopefully monday or tuesday it should arrive.

[DVS JEZ]

Glad u worked out the issue without spending lots of money like most forum users.

[levizzle]

Glad u worked out the issue without spending lots of money like most forum users.

It helps when you listen to someone who knows what they are talking about, such as you