C Reg Mk3 XR3i 1985

[Ryan Offer]

Hi All,

I am fairly new to this forum so be nice. 

I currently have a 1985 mk3 escort MFI xr3i. It has been dry stored for over 20 years and is only on 30k.

I am having an issue with the fueling system at the moment. The fuel pump relay has been changed as well as the fuel pump. When I try and start the car it starts for about 5 seconds but will then die. If I try it again it'll run for about 3 seconds and die. I am getting pressure through all of the injectors. It's almost as if the fuel is being shut off. I have one idea at the moment and that is the auxiliary air valve at the back of the air box. The rubber seal around it has perished and it sits in the air box like a party sausage in the Blackwell tunnel allowing air to leak either side. Would this cause the car to stall straight away? 

Any ideas would be very helpful. 

Ryan

[SpannerTheCat]

Hi Ryan & welcome Mate,i'm new on here as well & it seems like a friendly place with quite a lot of knowledgeable & helpful Members. It sounds like fuel starvation to me,have you put fresh petrol in it,20 year old 4* won't be much use,also have you put a new in-line fuel filter on it?  

[Ryan Offer]

Hi mate,

Yea I've cleaned and drained the tank and stuck a new fuel filter in it too. 

It's baffling me at the moment. 

[SpannerTheCat]

Well maybe try sorting out the auxiliary air valve issue & see what happens?

[Ryan Offer]

Yea I'll give it a go and update. 

The car is pretty mint. 

I couldn't believe It when I took the 20 year old coolant out and it was still blue 😂

[Ryan Offer]

Right,

I fixed the seal around the air valve but still no joy. She fires up for about 3-5 Seconds and then dies. If i touch the accelerator she dies straight away. I can hear a slight hissing sound coming from near the brake servo but cannot find an air leak. 

Any ideas?