Help please, stuck at roadside with fuel / heat problem maybe!

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by CollyP, Aug 20, 2013.

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  1. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Hi all, can anyone give me a few hints and tips?
    The van conked out at low revs under load and won't start. This has happened just once before but it started. I think It may be flooded, although it also feels quite warm. A passer by (an old van (not necessarily VW vans but nice bloke other than that) enthusiast) told me to take the filter off to let more air in. It tried to start but didn't.
    Hence, any tips?
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #1
  2. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    cooked out?

    More info needed bud!
     
    Poptop2, Aug 20, 2013
    #2
  3. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    I don't know what cooked out means I'm afraid!
    It was running well, but I always have to give it loads to get over a low down flat spot. It didn't get over this particular flat spot.
    When it starts usually it fires within half a second. It is now cranking over without much of a splutter.
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #3
  4. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Is there anything to be done to get over flooding it, without waiting?
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #4
  5. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Fuel? (Have you got any)
     
    Baysearcher, Aug 20, 2013
    #5
    CollyP likes this.
  6. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    fuel pipe off? filter blocked? timing?
     
    rickyrooo1, Aug 20, 2013
    #6
    CollyP likes this.
  7. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Or could this be a hot start problem?
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #7
  8. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    no it wouldn't turn over at all
     
    rickyrooo1, Aug 20, 2013
    #8
  9. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    That don't explain in dieing though
     
    Baysearcher, Aug 20, 2013
    #9
  10. chrisselby

    chrisselby

    had this the other day turned out to be fuel filter blocked, if your filter is only half full of fuel like mine was can you undo the clamps a bit and spin it around so the newer section of filter is in the fuel rather that the dirty bit?
    is the filter looking crappy?
     
    chrisselby, Aug 20, 2013
    #10
    CollyP likes this.
  11. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    There is defo fuel in the tank.
    I have a mechanical pump, can't see a filter.
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #11
  12. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Good point!
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #12
    altair likes this.
  13. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    filter will be under the van if not in engine bay - which is one good thing, crawl under and follow from tank bottom looking for a small round bowl
     
    rickyrooo1, Aug 20, 2013
    #13
  14. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Is the filter inside the top of the pump?
    It's a long time since I took a pump apart, and never at the side of the road!
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #14
  15. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Probably above the gearbox.
     
    Baysearcher, Aug 20, 2013
    #15
  16. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Pull a plug - put it aside of the block and crank it over - look for a spark - listen for the piston coming up and try to hear if there is compression inside the bore!
     
    Poptop2, Aug 20, 2013
    #16
  17. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    No spark - take dizzy cap off and inspect rotor arm and points - if you have a toolkit clean the end of the rotor arm and points of dizzy cap with sandpaper ( if you have any) and rub it between points, check points for gap - check points for spark.
     
    Poptop2, Aug 20, 2013
    #17
  18. Duble agent V.W.Ford

    Duble agent V.W.Ford

    Prossibly a sooted up spark plug, clean them and check your mixture if it is. Have the points closed up? How hot is the coil? if it's too hot to touch then it's probably goosed.
    Oh, and I'd put the filter back on too. You don't want a blow back through the carb and having yourself an unwanted bonfire!
     
    Duble agent V.W.Ford, Aug 20, 2013
    #18
  19. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Nightmare!
    The van is too low to crawl under!!!

    This is what happened yesterday. Started the van, on the nose ready to warm her up and go out.
    I noticed the next door family were taking down their tent and so instead of revving it like I usually would, I was being gentle, just feathering the throttle. It conked out and then wouldn't start - at all.
    Waited a while and tried again and again but nothing.
    Took off dizzy cap and far the cap and points a little sand.
    I don't have a plug spanner on me.
    Nothing worked so I went out for the day in the girlfriends car.

    When we got back yesterday evening it fired up on the button again!
     
    CollyP, Aug 20, 2013
    #19
  20. Duble agent V.W.Ford

    Duble agent V.W.Ford

    Clean the contact on the rotor arm by rubbing it on a tyre wall. I kid you not! This gets the crap off without taking any brass off thus making the gap for the spark to jump bigger than it needs to be. (City and Guilds part 1 tip.);)

    From what you posted above me, it sounds like a duff coil. But don't quote me. Is there anybody near that could pop around and have a look for/with you?
     
    Duble agent V.W.Ford, Aug 20, 2013
    #20
    CollyP likes this.
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