R21 Will not start after head gasket change.

Level 1 User Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 26

Hello, I am new here.

I bought a R21 1994 Sav from Ebay 2 months ago. Did 75 miles in it and the head gasket went (overheating, mayo and heart ache). The previous owner had decided to disconnect the fans. Replaced the head gasket and timing belt. Now I cannot get the thing to fire or nearly fire. ABS pressure pump is running like billiards and I have swapped the timing marks on the cam 180 more times than I care to think.

A neighbour who is a mechanic has looked at it too and he does not know what I have done wrong. (Spark there, fuel there).

Since then have bought an Espace which has the same engine etc. But I prefer the R21. Her indoors is saying scrap the bl**dy thing. I don't want to. Any help you guys can give will be valuable for me.

Sorry for asking for your technical knowledge on my first post but I used to be a Ford electrician (many moons ago) and am a little lost on Renaults. Thanks in advance.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

So the engine turns over no problem?

Level 1 User Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 26

Yes, compression is there. Battery charged whilst I did the job. Cheers for the reply Very Happy

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

im not familiar with 21 engines at all, but if theres definately fuel and definately spark, it has to fire doesnt it? you sure the sparking order is correct? Like i said, i dont know anything about 21 engines, is it possible for the dissy to be mounted 'out of phase'?

You might have a bit more luck asking on the 21turbo owners club?

Level 1 User Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 26

I have done a lot of head gaskets, this one has me stumped. There is no reason for it not be running. Normally if you drop a ball, you just change the timing 180 and they fire. ABS high pressure pump should not run for more than 2 seconds but I had to disconnect. Was wondering if there was a an ECU/ABS reset or something.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

righty make sure the timing is correct, pop a plug out and stick in a screwdriver making sure its not catching the bore and get number 1 to TDC.

Then check the cam timing, it should line up with the mark.

As for the pump running etc check the earths. I think you may have left oen off and as a result the ECU may have gone pop. its very common.

See thsat nice espace you have, fit a few more nice decent earths from the battery to the body and engine as these are notorious for killing ECU's due to dodgy earths.

Also is it the dizzy engine or the coil pack engine?

Level 1 User Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 26

Wont be able to look until the Weekend. Will let you know status then. How will I know ECU has popped? Dizzy BTW

Nice Espace? Grrrrrrr.....It is like filling a Boeing. Will fit some straps though, thanks for the advice. Very Happy

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

if the ECU has popped then it can either not start, have no idle regulation control etc etc, all sorts of wonderfull ways it can go.