Citroen AX GT engine swap wont start

[RichardW]

If the engine was running before, and that was not too long ago, then the compressions don't appear to be too much to worry about. Were the plugs wet after you were cranking it? Where did the carb come from?

[lexi]

have you tried a blast of easy start up the intake?

he he..........whatever a man does in the privacy of his own garage

[wheeler]

have you tried a blast of easy start up the intake?

he he..........whatever a man does in the privacy of his own garage

It would have been worse if it was a blast up the exhaust

[jsp]

If the engine was running before, and that was not too long ago, then the compressions don't appear to be too much to worry about. Were the plugs wet after you were cranking it? Where did the carb come from?

wet yes, I think I have 180 degrees off timing.

[RichardW]

If the plugs are wet then it's getting fuel, so yes, ignition timing is the obvious candidate.

[xantia_v6]

You should be able to test the theory by swapping the plug leads around.

[jsp]

You should be able to test the theory by swapping the plug leads around.

Did that already no start

[Chris570]

have you tried easy start? (just thinking that will rule out fuel completely) and how did you work out you have spark, was it the usual plug on the engine block method? does the engine even "kick" when trying to start or is it as though there is no fuel or spark.

The other thing to do is as Xantia V6 said, take the rocker cover off so you can see what valve is doing what and set your timing from that.

[jsp]

Got it started. Crankshaft was 180 degrees off thanks all.

[jsp]

Old engine:

[Activa TCT]

I am amazed there are people around still trying to run these things. They are quite fun, quick and cheap cars. Glad to see you could make it work jsp

[jsp]

Thanks all, the original 10E engine is taking wayyy to long to accelerate for modern days. Pretty dangerous so I needed a swap.

[Activa TCT]

Yeah, it was fine in it's days for the slow pace. But even then, people mentioned it was dangerously underpowered and risky in certain situations, like road crossings. 1.1 was already better. Consumption is pretty much the same. You could do about 150km/h with 1.1 on highway if you weren't too scared by sidewinds from trucks.
Both suffer today from ethanol fuel, resulting in reduced power as well as wear on engine which makes it really dangerous. Maybe upjetting would solve it.
The match-box construction of ax, although zippy and lightweight, is a deathtrap if anyone hits you from the side. Those doors are only a sheet of steel and a small steel bar in the middle and some trim. Even the a pillar is just too thin and anything newer, even clios, would push right to the other side. Giving you don't fly off road with those 700kg, when 1.5t vehicle hits you sideways and roll down the hill.
I was always wondering if 1.4 engine or maybe 1.6 from xara would fit into this tiny thing and maybe be a straight bolt on. That would make it such a nice and cheap upgrade. 1.4HDi is based on the same 1.4L engine, so maybe it would fit too.

[Chris570]

The 1.6 8v tu engine from the saxo fits in easily and makes for a very capable car. I've had a few of them.....

[jsp]

I know one has a 1.6 16v in the AX flies like crazy