Van won't start after left standing

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

richlaz
Registered user
Posts: 285
Joined: 05 Apr 2012, 03:19
80-90 Mem No: 10937
Location: S. Wales

Van won't start after left standing

Post by richlaz »

Hi all,

My van has been SORN and parked up for approx. 3-4 months, and now I can't get it going (knew I should have kept starting it up every couple of days! :x ) Engine was running fine when last started, which was approx. 8-10 weeks ago.

It's an '84 1.9DG

Firstly, the battery was dead... so I took it out, charged it, it was then stable at around 12.8v - all good

Then noticed with the ignition on, petrol gauge didn't move, so put 10L of petrol in. Now gauge is just above the red line - happy days

Upon turning the key... the engine turns over, but doesn't seem to fire (I've tried cranking on and off for probably a total of 5 mins) but no joy... now the battery is dead again so it's back on charge!

Not sure whether to have the accelerator permanently on the floor when cranking, or whether to just pump it every now and then... what would be most effective?

I've taken the spark plugs out, and gave them a bit of a clean with a wire brush, and checked the gaps (I believe they should be approx. 0.7mm?) A couple were a bit wet/oily, one had some black/carbon deposits, and one didn't seem too bad (can't remember which ones were which though).

I'm afraid I know very little about engines, so am a little stuck now. I believe the next step would be to check if the plugs are "sparking"?

I seem to remember my father had a "tool" which goes between the ignition cable and the spark plug, and lights up when it fires. Only problem being... this would test the coil, cable etc, but doesn't necessarily mean that the plug is sparking.

Would a better way be to remove the spark plug, re-fit ignition cable onto spark plug whilst still removed from engine, then turn the key? (Would need a jump lead between the thread of spark plug and Earth to complete the circuit though)?

Moving house in a couple of week so need to get this back on the road :(

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)
1984 1.9 DG Westfalia Sport Joker

greasemonkey
Registered user
Posts: 250
Joined: 14 Sep 2014, 08:36
80-90 Mem No: 14268

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by greasemonkey »

Just some starters from me, I'd start with the battery again and check what voltage it drops to in cranking. A dead battery can still read over 12volts, but not have the amps to crank and get a good spark, especially if rest of system is weak. If all looking good move on like you're doing. You can take the spark plug out to see if it's working (clean with brass brush) but just watch you don't get in the way of the spray of petrol coming out of the open hole ;)

Ralf85
Registered user
Posts: 4447
Joined: 13 Jan 2010, 12:42
80-90 Mem No: 4418
Location: West London - 1985 westie pop top, LHD, 1900 DF engine

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by Ralf85 »

Spot on. Take the battery out, charge it up leave it for 24 hours then check the voltage. Let us know the result.
Batteries need to be kept working otherwise they can fail.

paperhouselad
Registered user
Posts: 443
Joined: 28 Jan 2014, 17:26
80-90 Mem No: 10768
Location: waterhouses, staffs.

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by paperhouselad »

Try pumping thr accelerator 20 times, then wait 10 mins before trying again but with no accelerator at all while trying to start, this always worked for me with an old moonraker which was of the road. Good luck.

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by CovKid »

or, just before you attempt to start it with a freshly charged battery, remove air filter rubber from top of carb, tip half an eggcup-full of petrol straight down carb throat. Now try to start it. If it splutters into life then dies quickly, its fuel starvation.

Either blocked filter or weak/knackered fuel pump. Pumping throttle may not work if carb float bowl is empty. This quick test will sometimes point you in the right direction for whether its a fuel or an ignition problem. Petrol probably draining back to tank and pump no longer strong enough to suck it through. If it does splutter into life for a few seconds, investigate fuel pump. If its the same, investigate ignition.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

richlaz
Registered user
Posts: 285
Joined: 05 Apr 2012, 03:19
80-90 Mem No: 10937
Location: S. Wales

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by richlaz »

Many thanks for the replies

Battery is now on charge (I'm hoping the battery is ok, it's around 2 years old, nice big Bosch 750A / 74Ah).

Will try all the suggestions over the next day or two and report back :D
1984 1.9 DG Westfalia Sport Joker

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by CovKid »

Bet its starts once it gets a whiff of petrol. They usually do. When you're cranking, the pump simply isn't going fast enough on the starter to pull the fuel up the pipe. If you have to, do the eggcup of petrol a few times as it'll eventually run long enough for pump to do its job and it'll run on its own.

Many move to an electric pump if the mechanical one goes as the line is always primed then. Great if you ever run out of petrol and want to get the fuel through quickly on the side of the road.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
itchyfeet
Registered user
Posts: 12427
Joined: 23 Jul 2007, 17:24
80-90 Mem No: 12733
Location: South Hampshire

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by itchyfeet »

^^^ my money is on this
my van won't start on petrol at the moment but will switch over from lpg when running, pipe drains down, must fix it :oops:
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

richlaz
Registered user
Posts: 285
Joined: 05 Apr 2012, 03:19
80-90 Mem No: 10937
Location: S. Wales

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by richlaz »

I'm hoping this is all the problem is :D

Need to get back down the petrol station and re-fill my cans :)
1984 1.9 DG Westfalia Sport Joker

User avatar
daysofthunder
Registered user
Posts: 75
Joined: 08 May 2013, 19:40
80-90 Mem No: 12473
Location: Chester UK

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by daysofthunder »

I had the same issue with my 1985 1.9dg , changed the fuel pump and it solved this issue for me . But like I always say start with the least expensive fixes and work upwards . Battery needs to be a good one then move onto serviceable parts ect . I always think its worth a good service before the season starts for camping
VW Transporter T25 Leisure Drive 1.9 Petrol 1985
DG0925**
1915cc
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDI Sport B6

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by CovKid »

petrol down the carb will confirm it. Weak petrol pumps can create intermittent problems before packing up, or they just go. Mine still runs back to tank but don't care now as electric pump soon pulls it through. It ran a whole lot better after that too. Had moments when it would splutter or kick back at random moments. That all went.

You can also get probs at high speeds where you're at full throttle and the pump has to keep up. Sometimes it doesn't and you lose power until you reduce speed to something the pump can match.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

richlaz
Registered user
Posts: 285
Joined: 05 Apr 2012, 03:19
80-90 Mem No: 10937
Location: S. Wales

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by richlaz »

I know it sounds really stupid... But where on the carb (2e3) do I pour the petrol in?

Don't want to pour it into the air intake or somewhere it's not supposed to go :roll:
1984 1.9 DG Westfalia Sport Joker

User avatar
itchyfeet
Registered user
Posts: 12427
Joined: 23 Jul 2007, 17:24
80-90 Mem No: 12733
Location: South Hampshire

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by itchyfeet »

You need to take the pancake trunking off , three nuts and pour in the choke hole towards the rear of vehicle
the one here with the choke flap shown closed is best
be very careful not to drop anything down the carb except petrol, not too much either, half egg cup as said

Image
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

richlaz
Registered user
Posts: 285
Joined: 05 Apr 2012, 03:19
80-90 Mem No: 10937
Location: S. Wales

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by richlaz »

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Many thanks for all your help guys... absolute geniuses :D

Tried the petrol straight into the carb (in a milk bottle lid), fired up immediately, then died again. Proved ignition etc ok.

Kept repeating the procedure, on the fourth time, the engine started and kept running :D

Let the engine warm up, took for a drive, tried switching off the engine, leaving for a while, and re-starting, all is perfect :lol:

The fuel lines and carb float must have been completely dry where the van was standing for a good few weeks. I've definitely learned my lesson... not to leave it for so long without running the engine! :lol:

Now I have a bigger problem... we're moving house next month... new house is a terraced with limited parking (no space for both vehicles)... also have a baby due in May... and the missus wants to sell the van :( :cry:

Thanks again for all of your help and advice - really happy now - saved me a lot of stress :lol: :ok
1984 1.9 DG Westfalia Sport Joker

greasemonkey
Registered user
Posts: 250
Joined: 14 Sep 2014, 08:36
80-90 Mem No: 14268

Re: Van won't start after left standing

Post by greasemonkey »

Nice one :)

Post Reply