Starting issues, cranks no start?

[pudding]

Immobiliser issue?

Immobiliser faults usually manifest themselves as a successful start, followed by an immediate shut off.  Good shout though as a complete failure to start is very rare on these engines.

[pudding]

More context needed.

1 - When it did it last successfully start and run?

2 - What has changed since then?

For a reliable engine like the EA113 to not fire up at all, something drastic has happened.

As the other esteemed gentlemen have suggested, it's a back to basics approach.

Fuel, air, spark, compression and timing.

All of those need thoroughly checking, not to mention wiring harness integrity to make sure the ECU is actually getting a strong signal from the crank sensor.

[GVK]

I got caught out once on a Fiat grande Punto 1.4 turbo, wouldn't start kept fouling the plugs.

After much to and froing with Fiat technical they sent and engineer out. After him rechecking a lot of stuff I'd done he got a fuel sample out we tried setting light to it, god knows what it was but it didn't burn very well. New fuel ,new plugs and off she went.

In this case the two things he's posted that i'd be concerned with are white smoke coming from exhaust and the fact it won't run on easy start...

[Vsandhu15]

So i dont hear any priming noise when opening door but have checked there is power going to the fuel pump. When turning the car the mechanic sprayed fuel into the engine and still wont fire up??!  She just turns over and dont try to fire! Losing the plot now and need my car back! Sucha stress

[LC5F]

How about collapsed catalytic converter blocking exhaust stopping oxygen entering engine?

[GVK]

Thats the kind of thing I'm thinking of, if air can't get out, air won't get sucked in. Hence my turbo failed suggestion, that would stop it running and smoke. One of the saving salvage type YT channels had an A3 with a failed turbo, white smoke pouring out. In this case OP says turbo been checked, how though? Not the easiest thing to check with access not being great to cold side etc.

[Vsandhu15]

My mechanic had taken my turbo off and checked it and said all was fine, if the timing had jumped would it still turn over?

[DBXdarkangel]

Should still fire up, just run like a bag of spanners.

Get it towed to a dealer if vcds doesn't throw a fault code and you've check absolutely everything then what other choice do you have.

[LC5F]

If the timing belt had jumped it would have had to have gone a long way to both stop engine starting and not ruin the good compression ratio.
Like DBXdarkangel said, even if timing is way out it should still attempt to fire when it thinks it's meant to.
But you have been attempting to start for some time, assuming you are getting fuel, the cylinders are likely be soaking and harder to ignite.

To be sure I would check the timing marks to see if it is still all pointing correctly.
To help clear the cylinders of any sitting fuel, remove the spark plugs and spin the engine over.
Then drop the down pipe off the turbo - if its been removed recently this should be easy, only 4 nuts - then see if it makes a difference.

Not experienced Mk5 immobiliser issues, but when a Mk4 one activates it would allow engine to start but die after only a couple of seconds plus the dash would light up the car/key immobiliser symbol.

Did this just happen one day or were there any symptoms?
Any recent work done before?
Are you sure you have spark?

[Vsandhu15]

So guys my mechanic has got back to me and says that the camshaft is out? Should they all be sitting flush two of them are not sat correct. What would you guys recommend from here? Thanks

[Jb55]

I think you need a new mechanic

[DBXdarkangel]

I think you need a new mechanic

I second that. Maybe send your current mechanic on a course. Or buy him a book called "basic mechanics for dummies"

[FJB]

What do you mean the camshaft is out? The intake and exhaust cams look in the correct position in relation to each other, it looks like the locking tool would fit exactly, even if it the chain was one tooth out at the adjuster end I would still expect it to start but run badly. You need to check the intake cam timing mark in relation to crankshaft timing mark, you will need to remove the crankshaft pulley to tell. 

[amanda]

Any perished hoses , including ones that look ok as they can have holes that you cannot see.....also diverted valve??

[Vsandhu15]

Update guys!! The car is now running perfectly it was the camshaft chain and bearing needed replacing! But now i have a issue the car is 6 speed manual and wont select reverse or 4th gear! Now when i did purchase the car as a non runner the guy did say he had a clutch fitted before it broke down! But who knows how much of it is the truth!? My mechanic tried to select the gears manually from the linkage but still wont engage reverse or fourth gear. Do you reckon the linkage needs adjusment or something further than that? Thanks!!!