She's died - help!

Bri · Post by **Bri** » Sat May 18, 2013 12:38 pm

Check the rotor arm has not jumped off in the dizzy, been there done that, but it does not explain the oil smell.

Check the fault codes, do the paper clip test, they will give you an idea of where to start looking.

http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/wiki/in ... _and_codes

Dobbs · Post by **Dobbs** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:10 pm

h10ndr wrote:...or remove the distributor cap - and turn the engine over with a socket on the crank pulley (through the access hole in the inner wing / or a 19mm spanner on the ps pump) either way you will see the rotor arm move / or not as the distributor is driven off the exhaust cam ). So if the belt has snapped - no drive to exhaust cam or distributor.

Top top, thanks.

I'm thinking - would a v.quick turn-over of the engine achieve the same? If not, is there a certain direction (clockwise or anti) that the crank polly or ps pump should be turned??

Cheers, Dobbs.

LewisH · Post by **LewisH** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:13 pm

Oil smell (mine stinks sometimes) i think my oil seals have gone though =( Or going at least.

You have no creamy stuff anywhere?? (oil cap / Dipstick or in the rad)

Dobbs · Post by **Dobbs** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:14 pm

wurlycorner wrote:If the cambelt's snapped it should also turn over really really quickly on the starter motor?

Now that's interesting as the engine turns over at the normal speed...

Dobbs.

Dobbs · Post by **Dobbs** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:19 pm

LewisH wrote:Oil smell (mine stinks sometimes) i think my oil seals have gone though =( Or going at least.

You have no creamy stuff anywhere?? (oil cap / Dipstick or in the rad)

Fortunately not, the oil level is spot on and there's no deposits in the cap or the rad...

Always worth checking though.

Cheers,

Dobbs.

Dobbs · Post by **Dobbs** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:26 pm

Bri wrote:Check the rotor arm has not jumped off in the dizzy, been there done that, but it does not explain the oil smell.

Check the fault codes, do the paper clip test, they will give you an idea of where to start looking.

http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/wiki/in ... _and_codes

Had a quick look in the dizzy earlier today and although the rotor arm and cap are getting on a bit old, everything looks ok in there.

I'll get back to the 'ol gal tomorrow armed with a paperclip. I assume that to read obd1 codes I'd need a plug-in code reader (obvious, but I had to ask).

Thanks all for.all the advice,

Dobbs.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:31 pm

Dobbs wrote:
wurlycorner wrote:If the cambelt's snapped it should also turn over really really quickly on the starter motor?
Now that's interesting as the engine turns over at the normal speed...

Dobbs.

I'm not 100% sure on how a prelude engine reacts on turnover with a cambelt that's gone, hence putting a question mark at the end (I was hoping someone would be along to agree or shoot me!!!

) but I have seen it on other cars than when the cambelt's gone, they turn over mega fast.

So, anyone, anyone???

andypont · Post by **andypont** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:43 pm

If it is the belt it might have slipped rather than snapped. Then your rotor and engine would still turn over as normal but it wont start (or if it did it would run really badly) as the valve timing would be all over the place. Not sure that would explain the oil smell though. If you take your plugs out are they oily?

Bri · Post by **Bri** » Sat May 18, 2013 6:48 pm

No mate you don't need any reader, if you follow the instructions on getting the code using the paper clip the car will tell you a code by the flashes of the lights on the dash, ie: 2 long followed by 6 fast ones = code 26 fufu valve.

Codes and meanings are all in the link in my earlier post. Good luck mate, hope you get it sorted. Where are you based?

Dobbs · Post by **Dobbs** » Sun May 19, 2013 7:37 pm

Hi folks, here's today's findings:

The rotor arm turns when the engine is crancked - hopefully that means that the cambelt is ok, but it'll be great to have someone here confirm that...?

The plugs look fine.

I shorted out the test plug, turned on the ignition and the orange 'check engine' (I assume that's the cel light) light came on but did not flash. Hopefully that rules out a lot of things...?

The only other light on the dash apart from the seatbelt, handbrake etc. lights is the CAT light. can't remember if that is normal and that it goes.out when the engine is running?

So I hope that narrows down the cause, but what should I check next???

Oh yes, the Lude is parked.in Carterton, about 20 miles west of Oxford, so if there's anyone local who could take a look or recommend a local mobile mechanic or.garage then that would be great.

thanks again folks,

Dobbs.

Lude Generation

She's died - help!

Re: She's died - help!