Engine won’t fire

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

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

We have lift off - started with my original coil and is running and revving fine. Will let it get up to temperature then get the timing light out as it’s a little ‘shaky’.
I’ll let you know how the afternoon session goes.....
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

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

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by itchyfeet »

good news :ok

With any fault if you don't get to the exact cause you might find it comes back, hopefully it was just a bent bracket.

You said you adjusted timing recently how did you do that if the pinch bolt was siezed?

Why does it work with your coil today when it didn't yesterday?
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

The pinch bolt was horribly bent - I tried to replace it but the top half was joined to the bracket - perhaps intentionally as it makes it easier to slacken/tighten.
Anyway, you are correct - it started with my old coil. Just been for a drive for 40 mins all good. Even had a call from the RAC man as he wanted to know if I’d fixed it......
Got home, stalled it trying to get on the drive amidst all the parked cars and it wouldn’t restart. Luckily I could run up the drive and attach the separate ignition system.
So, I’m back on the driveway - my coil was extremely hot to touch, I suspect it shouldnt be, correct?

Will spend the afternoon cleaning connections and changing connectors
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

User avatar
937carrera
Registered user
Posts: 3599
Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
80-90 Mem No: 16333
Location: N Yorks.

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by 937carrera »

I was just on the BW site for another reason ....... replacement clamps are only £4.33, who'd have thought :roll:

Do your wire cleaning etc, and then on the next test drive I suggest you take the spare coil and tools out with you, just in case.
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

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

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by itchyfeet »

Snowmark wrote: So, I’m back on the driveway - my coil was extremely hot to touch, I suspect it shouldnt be, correct?s

going to be warm but not red hot put my coil in and take it for another drive and see how hot mine gets
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

Yep, emailed Michael yesterday trying to source one - he’d been asked last week as well so said he’d get some in. I paid more for a 30 year old one :)
What an excellent plan - why I was so confident earlier I’ll never know!
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

Will do. If you shake my old one the oil inside sounds like water it’s that warm.
Tempted to remove the old plastic connectors and replace - who knows what they are hiding
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

Just using Paul’s coil (my ignition amplifier, leads etc) it fires first turn of the key, engine still warm.
It’s always been a little temperamental starting when up at temp - maybe the coil was on its way out.

Currently running it up to temp with Paul’s coil then I’ll head out for a drive. Probably won’t be brave enough to turn it off until I get home....
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

Spent the afternoon replacing the connections to the coil and, as I had one delivered this morning, fitted the brand new coil.
Just been out for a 20mile drive (said hello to a H reg Autosleeper down at the beach). Ran fine.
Got home to the safety of the drive way and switched it off.
Restarted immediately and it fired.....repeated this about 10 times and it fired every time. (Needed the accelerator depressing as I turned the key but believe that this is normal?).

Not 100% confident that the gremlins have gone so I’ll probably start it at all Hours day and night for the next 5 days, but it looks like camping next Monday is back on
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

BTW - the oil inside my old coil still sounds like water sloshing around and it hasn’t been used for hours
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

User avatar
937carrera
Registered user
Posts: 3599
Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
80-90 Mem No: 16333
Location: N Yorks.

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by 937carrera »

Snowmark wrote:BTW - the oil inside my old coil still sounds like water sloshing around and it hasn’t been used for hours

It needs an oil change, thicker grade













just joking :rofl
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

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

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by itchyfeet »

Snowmark wrote:Spent the afternoon replacing the connections to the coil and, as I had one delivered this morning, fitted the brand new coil.
Just been out for a 20mile drive (said hello to a H reg Autosleeper down at the beach). Ran fine.
Got home to the safety of the drive way and switched it off.
Restarted immediately and it fired.....repeated this about 10 times and it fired every time. (Needed the accelerator depressing as I turned the key but believe that this is normal?).

Not 100% confident that the gremlins have gone so I’ll probably start it at all Hours day and night for the next 5 days, but it looks like camping next Monday is back on

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

User avatar
Snowmark
Registered user
Posts: 222
Joined: 16 Mar 2016, 21:28
80-90 Mem No: 15217
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by Snowmark »

Well, after further testing and driving then more testing it is insisting Ion starting every time.

Tried it cold, warm, tepid, lukewarm, rad fan on etc - it starts at all temps and first time.
Feels like these problems are solved - next weeks trip will be the acid test.

Many thanks for all your suggestions, ideas, advice and motivation- I appreciated the support as It was driving me insane and my kids say ‘thanks’ because they get to go camping next week.... and dad has stopped being angry
1986 1.9DG WBX Autosleeper Hi Top

User avatar
937carrera
Registered user
Posts: 3599
Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
80-90 Mem No: 16333
Location: N Yorks.

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by 937carrera »

:)

Have a good time then
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine

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

Re: Engine won’t fire

Post by itchyfeet »

Always nice to get some beer with your parts returned :D
Even better it's home made beer in a home made box, not just any old home brew I have had this before and it's excellent
cheers Mark :ok

ImageP1100748 by Paul_Barr, on Flickr
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

Post Reply