- Loose or corroded battery contacts ("Weekly check").
- The battery is empty or defective (chapter 5A).
- Open, disconnected or loose contacts in the starter circuit (chapter 5A).
- Faulty starter solenoid or switch (chapter 5A). Faulty starter (chapter 5A)
- Electric starter gear or flywheel teeth loose or broken (chapter 2 and 5A).
- Open or disconnected motor ground jumper (chapter 5A).
Engine cranks but won't start
- Empty fuel tank.
- Battery low (motor rotates slowly) (chapter 5A).
- Loose or corroded battery contacts ("Weekly check").
- Air filter dirty or clogged (Chapter 1).
- Low compression in the cylinders (chapter 2).
- Serious mechanical failure (e.g. camshaft drive) (chapter 2).
- Ignition system components are damp or damaged (chapter 5b).
- Fuel Injection System Malfunction (chapter 4).
- Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
- Open, disconnected or loose contacts in the ignition circuit (chapter 5b).
Engine won't start when cold
- Low battery (chapter 5A).
- Loose or corroded battery contacts ("Weekly check").
- Air filter dirty or clogged (Chapter 1).
- Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
- Low compression in the engine cylinders (chapter 2).
- Fuel Injection System Malfunction (chapter 4).
- Ignition system malfunction (chapter 5b).
Engine won't start when hot
- Low battery (chapter 5A).
- Loose or corroded battery contacts ("Weekly check").
- Air filter dirty or clogged (Chapter 1).
- Fuel Injection System Malfunction (chapter 4).
Excessive noise during starter operation
- Starter gear or flywheel teeth loose or broken (chapter 2 or 5A).
- Loose starter mounting bolts (chapter 5A).
- Internal starter components worn or damaged (chapter 5A).
The starter turns the engine slowly
- Low battery (chapter 5A).
- Loose or corroded battery contacts ("Weekly check").
- Ground wire broken or broken contact (chapter 5A).
- Loose starter wires (chapter 5A).
- Internal starter fault (chapter 5A).
Engine starts and dies immediately
- Open or loose contacts in the ignition circuit (chapter 5b).
- Fuel system contamination (chapter 4).
- Fuel injector failure (chapter 4).
- Fuel pump or pressure regulator malfunction (chapter 4).
- Vacuum leak in the throttle body and either in the intake manifold or hoses (chapter 4).
Engine idling erratically
- Dirty or clogged air filter element (Chapter 1).
- Air in the fuel system (chapter 4).
- Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
- Vacuum leak in throttle body or intake manifold or hoses (chapter 4).
- Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (chapter 2).
- Incorrect timing chain installation (chapter 2).
- Camshaft lobes wear (chapter 2).
- Injector failure (OK) (chapter 4).
Ignition failures when the engine is idling
- Injector failure (OK) (chapter 4).
- Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (chapter 2).
- Disconnection, leakage, or destruction of rubber crankcase breather hoses (chapter 4).
- Vacuum leak in throttle body or intake manifold or hoses (chapter 4).
Ignition failures when the engine is running in the operating speed range
- Fuel filter clogged (Chapter 1).
- Malfunction or reduced pressure of delivery of the fuel pump (chapter 4).
- Clogged fuel tank vent or kinked fuel line (chapter 4).
- Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (chapter 2).
- Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
- Faulty spark plug wires (Chapter 1).
Engine stalls
- Fuel filter clogged (Chapter 1).
- Clogged injectors / malfunction of the fuel injection system (chapter 4).
- Malfunction or reduced pressure of delivery of the fuel pump (chapter 4).
- Vacuum leak in throttle body or intake manifold or hoses (chapter 4).
- Clogged fuel tank vent or kinked fuel line (chapter 4).
Insufficient engine power
- Fuel filter clogged (Chapter 1).
- Incorrect timing chain installation (chapter 2).
- Malfunction or reduced pressure of delivery of the fuel pump (chapter 4).
- Worn, defective or incorrect spark plug gap setting (Chapter 1).
- Vacuum leak in throttle body or intake manifold or hoses (chapter 4).
- Unequal or low compression in the engine cylinders (chapter 2),
- Jamming brakes (chapter 1 and 9).
- Clutch slip (chapter 6).
- Clogged injectors / malfunction of the fuel injection system (chapter 4).
Backfires in the engine
- Incorrect timing chain installation (chapter 2).
- Clogged injectors / malfunction of the fuel injection system (chapter 4).
When the engine is running, the low oil pressure indicator is on
- Low oil level or use of non-specified type oil ("Weekly check").
- Faulty oil pressure sensor (chapter 2).
- Worn engine bearings and/or oil pump (chapter 2).
- Engine operation at elevated temperatures (chapter 3)
- Defective oil pressure relief valve (chapter 2).
- Intake pipe strainer clogged (chapter 2).
Note. Low oil pressure when running a high mileage engine is not unexpected. A sudden drop in oil pressure is much more dangerous. In any case, before repairing the engine, first check the oil pressure gauge and indicator.
Motor continues to rotate after shutdown
- Excessive contamination of internal engine parts by fuel residues (chapter 2).
- Engine operation at elevated temperatures (chapter 3).
Noises in the engine
Preignition (detonation) or knocking sound when accelerating or under load
- Excessive contamination of internal engine parts by fuel residues (chapter 2).
- Injector failure (OK) (chapter 4).
- Ignition system malfunction (chapter 5b).
Whistling or wheezing noises
- Leak through exhaust manifold gasket (chapter 4).
- Vacuum hose leak (chapter 4).
- Breakdown of the cylinder head gasket (chapter 2).
Knocking or rattling noises
- Valve actuator or camshaft wear (chapter 2).
- Malfunction in auxiliary units (cooling system pump, generator, etc.) (chapters 3, 5 etc.).
Bumps or thuds
- Wear of the bearings of the lower heads of the connecting rods (regular heavy knocking, with possible weakening under load) (chapter 2)
- Wear of main bearings (rattling and knocking, with possible weakening under load) (chapter 2).
- Piston shift (heard on a cold engine) (chapter 2).
- Malfunction in auxiliary units (cooling system pump, generator, etc.) (chapters 3, 5 etc.).