2002 Fabia 1.4 8v wont start

[cjm86]

Hi this is my first post on here and any help would be greatly recieved.

 

I have a 1.4 8v fabia which wont start and i am looking for any suggestions as to what might be the problem.

 

The car will turn over no problem just wont fire up so i know its not a bad battery.

 

Also when your trying to start it there is a strong smell of petrol could it be flooding itself?

 

I am by no means a mechanic but simple stuff i should hopefully be able to do myself.

 

Im all ears folks

 

 

[moley]

Remove a spark plug, if it's wet fuel is getting in but probably no spark. If I remember correctly the coil pack on the 1.4 MPI engine was a one piece for all four plugs.

[Alexandru]

These would be steps I'd be taking for a DIY:

 

1. Check the battery voltage, get it fully charged or get a donor car along with long enough (and thick) cables for extra power. The engine is fitted with a crankshaft sensor. IIRC, if it doesn't turn with a specific speed, no matter how much you will keep trying, it will not start.

1. Listen for the fuel pump to work when you switch on the ignition. If you are running the car with low fuel, at some point it might fail due to over heating.

2. Check for fuel leaks (if you say there is a strong petrol smell) and please don't use a lighter for that

3. Inspect the fuel filter located under the rear right wheel arch.

4. Inspect/replace or just disconnect the engine temp sensor. 

5. Scan it for errors (with VCDS or a standalone scan tool).

6. Inspect and replace as said above the coil pack / spark plugs. A failing coil pack should start the engine, but it might misfire. I doubt it went dead completely. One bad spark plug is possible, 2 maybe, but not 3 or four.

7. Check the coolant level. MPIs engines are known for failing head gaskets. If you're getting coolant into the cylinders it will not start until you take the engine apart and rebuild it.

 

How did the car work before? Did you get this problem suddenly or it went worse and worse until it got here ?