Bentley Brooklands 1st reg. March 1997, reluctant to start when engine is hot BENTLEY

For your 1997 Bentley Brooklands showing reluctance to restart when hot and a 'Check Engine' warning on the dash:

- This model is indeed pre-OBD-II standard, so it's true that many modern generic diagnostic tools won't communicate with its engine management system. Specialized or brand-specific tools are required for access to fault codes and diagnostics.

- Common causes for hot restart issues and check engine warning in classic Bentleys often include:
- Faulty or failing ignition components such as ignition coils, spark plugs, or crankshaft/camshaft sensors.
- Fuel system problems: clogged fuel injectors, failing fuel pump, or fuel pressure issues.
- Faulty sensors like oxygen sensors or mass airflow sensors, which affect fuel mixture and engine management.
- Electrical wiring issues or corroded connectors affecting the ECU or related sensors.
- Engine mechanical problems such as valve seal wear causing hot start problems.
- Fuel vapor or gas cap leaks can sometimes trigger warning lights and affect fuel pressure stability.

- The Bentley Brooklands is also known for other electrical/computer control complexities and maintenance challenges given its age and bespoke engineering, so diagnosing without proper Bentley diagnostic equipment is difficult.

Advice:
- Seek a Bentley specialist or a workshop with specific Bentley diagnostic tools to read fault codes and perform system tests.
- Meanwhile, basic checks like inspecting spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel pressure, and electrical connections could reveal obvious problems.
- The 'reluctant to restart hot' symptom often points to ignition or fuel delivery issues, so starting there is sensible.

Although your current mechanic lacks tools for pre-OBD diagnostics, a specialized Bentley service center or a classic car electronic specialist would be best placed to diagnose and repair accurately.