Hi all Just gone camping with my daughter. Used the camper today for little shopping trips with no issue. Started and stopped and started fine. Left for the campsite an hour away and stopped at reception. Wouldn't start after. Turned over find but didn't catch. There was a slope into the field so I thought I could bump it. Put it in second with ignition on but nothing. Had 4 or 5 goes. I've got a jump start battery pack but that doesn't help. Is it fuel? It was running perfectly on the way down. Over heating? Tried it again after an hour and still nothing. Got until Sunday before I leave. Help!! Stu
Got any petrol? Is petrol pump pumping? Has low tension lead fallen off distributor? Is batty OK? Is starter turning over as usual? Check high tension leads to and from distributor /coil. - is your coil ok? Weather should be OK Saturday for checking.
Hot start method, push the throttle all the way down and release then try firing it up. Its in the muir guide and worked for me. Fingers crossed mate.
Is there an inline fuel filter fitted? I got caught with a no good one a while back ,pretty much as your situation is now.
As above it could be that you need a hot start relay or that the long drive has dislodged something so no fuel is getting in, does the filter look really clogged?
Morning all, Heavy rain overnight! Already have a hot start relay. Will try again to start it in 10 mins or so. BTW it's a 79 US fuel injected 2 litre job. Daily driver s a bit surprised about this. Report back soon. Stu
If its an FI and its been running fine if suggest fuel. Get someone to try and turn it over with you under the van, put your hand on the fuel pump, it should vibrate like an electric toothbrush, at the same time watch the fuel filter. Can you see fuel rushing through? I had similar problems a while back and the filter was clogged. It ran fine to begin with but the longer I drove the more clogged it became so no fuel could get through. Over night the crud dropped off and let it start in the morning, the fuel pressure then clogged it up the next day etc etc.
have you a multi tester to check battery - mine died at a roundabaout last year after an hours drive - turned out a battery cell had gone
The FI system, when running well, shouldn't just stop after a run. Either, fuel isn't getting there, something has come loose or a pipe come off. Check the basics and of its not that I can guide you through testing the FI system to see if we can diagnose it.
To unclog fuel filter take it off, replace opposite way round and let some juice run thru. Then replace correctly, should be fine for the trip back. Of course something to collect the fuel and a cold engine. Don't reconnect the outlet to the rest of the system when flushing, know someone who did that and put all the crap out of the filter into the rest of the system. Doh!
if it's fuel injected i guarantee it will be a loose connection ecu/relay fault not letting it start or a low battery - fuel injected loves a good strong voltage to engage all the electronioctrickery.
Hi all, Thanks for all the suggestions. Guess what? Turned it over this morning and it started on the 2nd or 3rd crank! I have got a multi-tester but I'm sure it's not the battery as I tested it before I set off. That leaves fuel really. I'm liking the clogging fuel filter idea after a long run. I think I have a fuel filter in my supplies but, of course, I left my Bentley at home, so can some one point me towards the filter so I can inspect it? Thanks Stuart
Fuel filters are available from vw heritage, I don't think anyone else does them, sounds like a battery issue to me
follow your fuel supply pipes , it should be under the bus in line from tank before pump ,small plastic see thru item,sometimes look ok but can still be u/s/(as mine was)
Check all vac pipes I did this and had a massive ball ache identifying that it was the small pipes down on th valve under the front of the plenum chamber. Cold they sealed and made a vacuum hot they leaked and th van wouldn't go.
Lie down under the bus and position yourself with your head behind the back left wheel. There you should see a silver cylinder which is the fuel pump, follow the pipe about 20cm towards the front of the van and there is a plastic cube about 2" across. That's your fuel filter. You should clearly be able to see fuel sloshing around in it with the van on, or in your case turning over. If it is black or really dirty get a new one, only about £10.
Also, how is the earth strap from the battery? Is it big enough / is it connected well / tight onto the battery and chassis? The FI system needs 9.6v to start and a dodgy connection will scupper it straight away.
