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[Malcolm_D]

98 V6 2.5 Elite. Scuttle leaked, water in plug wells 4 and 6 causing significant misfire, removed leads and plugs - cleaned and put back on after checking coil pack. All were replaced last year so thought they would be OK. Reassembled but will not fire up .
Petrol getting through, engine turning over fine but not catching. Even if some of the leads/plugs were done for I would expect it to start amd misfire leading me to suspect the multi socket connections above the coil pack, have checked and re-checked and appear to be OK.
Next step? New leads first, possibly plugs to eliminate these? And after that?
I would immediately suspect the crank shaft sensor except that this was also replaced last year  .
Advice and suggestions (polite ones ) please.

[Andy B]

checking for a fault code would the be first & easiest thing to do, 19 doesn't light the EML
Was your crank sensor a real Vauxhall Bosch part or a generic?   

[Malcolm_D]

Read lots about the paper clip method for fault codes but never done it - will look for the guide. Not sure about the sensor, the garage fitted it, I would suspect that it is a generic part.

Thanks for the swift reply. 

While I am on, I need to confirm the lead order on the coil pack, it has numbers on it. With the conection on the left the top row is marked 5  3  1, and the bottom row (nearest the engine) is 2  6  4, does this sound right?

[Andy B]

Read lots about the paper clip method for fault codes but never done it - will look for the guide. Not sure about the sensor, the garage fitted it, I would suspect that it is a generic part......

Paper clip is here
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687
A crank sensor from Vauxhall is around £50
Omega Part Number Retail Price Normal Trade Trade Club
Crankshaft sensors
2.0 16v to 14194716 90458251 £60.50 £54.46 £47.10

 
U25TD/X25TD 90487810 £98.50 £88.65 £76.94

 
2.5 (early models) 90492006 £83.50 £75.15 £65.12

 
2.5 (later models) 90492061 £61.50 £55.36 £47.88

 
2.0 8v 90493864 £60.50 £54.46 £47.10

 
2.0DTi/2.2DTi 90540188 £37.75 £33.98 £29.40

 
2.6/3.0/3.2 90540743 £55.00 £49.56 £42.63

 
2.0 16v from 14194717/31000001 9174621 £36.60 £33.00 £28.47[/i]

Also, make sure the cable is routed away from the exhaust, or you'll be doing the job again. 

While I am on, I need to confirm the lead order on the coil pack, it has numbers on it. With the conection on the left the top row is marked 5  3  1, and the bottom row (nearest the engine) is 2  6  4, does this sound right?

Yes!  That's right. 

[Malcolm_D]

Thanks Andy, will get on with the paperclip test straight away. 

[Malcolm_D]

Paperclip test results - 31 as expected, and 13 - O2 sensor 1 open circuit, are the only fault codes showing. This doesn't mean a great deal to me, would code 13 affect the engine starting?

[Andy B]

Paperclip test results - 31 as expected, and 13 - O2 sensor 1 open circuit, are the only fault codes showing. This doesn't mean a great deal to me, would code 13 affect the engine starting?

oxygen sensor is another term for lambda sensor (lives just behind the cat on the exhaust.
Sorry, I can't make any other suggestions for your none starting though. 

[Malcolm_D]

Thanks anyway, I will plod on and try the obvious. On the upside I do not need the car at the moment, as SHWMBO says  -  it is my 'hobby' car! 

[Kevin Wood]

An O2 sensor problem will not affect starting.

Does the fuel pump fire up during cranking?

I would suspect crank sensor, as the wiring can get brittle and it would have been disturbed during plug lead access.

Kevin

[Malcolm_D]

I can see the logic in your diagnosis, and I agree, but wouldn't this result in a code 19 from the paperclip test?

[Kneepad]

It is not unknown for a crank sensor to fail without throwing up a code 19 error.

[Kneepad]

Pull out one of the plugs to confirm you are getting a spark.

[Malcolm_D]

Pull out one of the plugs to confirm you are getting a spark.

I remember doing this years ago on a mk2 escort - remove plug reconnect HT lead and have the plug earthing to the block by physical contact, turn the engine over and observe spark if any?

Am I right in thinking that the crank sensor makes sure that the spark is provided at the right time to cause ignition? Hence if it is goosed then the engine will not fire up?  :-?

[Andy B]

....
Am I right in thinking that the crank sensor makes sure that the spark is provided at the right time to cause ignition? Hence if it is goosed then the engine will not fire up?  :-?

Correct! 
re HT lead & spark plug. You're better off clamping a spare plug to something like the engine lift hook with a pair of mole/vise grips, that way you're not going to be trying to do it by hand and then getting 15000/20000 volts up your arm    

[Malcolm_D]

Thanks for the advice, it will be followed.