Van won't start

[beergut100]

Yesterday we were stuck in heavy congestion on M5, when there was a bang, followed by coolant spilling out of the van and van filling with steam. This has happened before and for the same reason; one of the hoses had split after being stuck in traffic. I am going to get a new coolant tank cap, as I have read that a faulty can cause this problem.

Anyhow, the RAC came, replaced the hose, filled the tank (with plain water - not ideal I know, but this was an emergency) and everything was hunky dory until about 30 miles from home, when there was a backfire type bang and the van began to judder. Once again, we pulled over to the hard shoulder and I fully expected to find another huge pool of water; but there wasn't one. On closer inspection, the engine didn't even seem particularly hot. We tried turning it over and it sounded fine. We decided to try to get home. Apart from another small backfire, the rest of the journey home was fine.

Now, moving on to this morning, and the bloody thing won't start. The ignition just isn't catching. It sounds like it's going to start, but just doesn't. I've tried on both LPG and petrol, but it's the same story with both.

Anyone have any ideas of things I can try? I'm not a brilliant mechanic, but I am learning and should be able to have a go if pointed in the right direction.

[Steve T]

Maybe the burst hose wetted the electrics especially the distributor, if it's been stood overnight could be condensation in distributor cap. Its water cooled and lgp / petrol what size and year is the engine, always helps if one say's what engine / year / fuel type / water or air cooled. Hope this may help or at least eliminate, probably something simple with luck

Steve

[Nicola&Tony]

Yesterday we were stuck in heavy congestion on M5, when there was a bang, followed by coolant spilling out of the van and van filling with steam. This has happened before and for the same reason; one of the hoses had split after being stuck in traffic. I am going to get a new coolant tank cap, as I have read that a faulty can cause this problem.

Thermostat, radiator and fan all working ok? Is the thermostat opening to send the water to the radiator when the engine is up to temperature and do you hear the fan start when you've been stuck in traffic for a while?

Tony

[HarryMann]

Do you not think its time an experienced mechanic on type took a good look at your engine and ancillaries... seems too may things going wrong here to be fixing one thing and finding another, backfiring is to be taken fairly seriously, somethings badly wrong... esp. as you're on LPG. Were you running LPG when this all happened?

[beergut100]

Thanks for all your replies. The van is a 1985 1900 RHD, and had a new engine fitted only 14 months ago. There was a loose wire to the stater motor; I reattached this and the van started - briefly. It now will not start again.

HarryMann, we were running LPG. Also, I will be getting a mechanic to look at it, but wanted to be able to at least drive to the garage. The LPG system was an old one which came with the van, but has recently been retro fitted by Steve at Gasure and new vapouriser and electrical bits fitted. It has been running exceptionally well, up until this incident. Steve also did our service recently and is doing our MOT next week. We have sort of come to regard him as our regular mechanic; the only problem being he is 50 miles from us (we live in Oldham). Our local VW garage are OK, but are not LPG specialists; so it often makes sense to take it to Gasure.

Nicola&Tony - It did occur to me that the thermostat may be at fault, but I'm not sure how to check it - it would help if I could start the engine I suppose. The fan never kicks in, as it doesn't have an automatic fan. The fan is operated by a switch, which we switch on when stuck in traffic. I am hoping that a new expansion tank cap may at least vent out the excess pressure if the system overheats, rather than splitting a hose.


E D I T: I have actually been seriously considering getting an automatic fan system fitted, but would not consider doing this work myself. Does anyone know what kind of work would be involved and likely cost? Would anyone reading this (and living in the North West) be able to do the work for me? I would, of course, be willing to pay a fair price for the work; and/or I am very good with computers and would be willing to fix/build/setup PC systems as payment.

[kimbobill]

Did the RAC bleed the system properly when he refilled her?

Also does it sound ok when you turn her over, or does ti sound like it having trouble? laboured?

[beergut100]

Did the RAC bleed the system properly when he refilled her?

Also does it sound ok when you turn her over, or does ti sound like it having trouble? laboured?

He didn't fully bleed the system, but he did have us switch the heater to hot, and rev the engine while he added water. He also followed us to the nearest services, with the intention of topping up if necessary, but system was too hot, so I waited an hour then added another 3 litres myself.

It sounds OK, but just isn't igniting.

[HarryMann]

I have actually been seriously considering getting an automatic fan system fitted, but would not consider doing this work myself.

Davies Craig electric pumps and fans, easy to fit yourself

But surely it has one (a fan) anyway..?

As Nicola&Tony say, check that the fan operates properly. Check if the rad gills are blocked with muck and maybe backflush the whole system.

[beergut100]

I have actually been seriously considering getting an automatic fan system fitted, but would not consider doing this work myself.

Davies Craig electric pumps and fans, easy to fit yourself

But surely it has one (a fan) anyway..?

As Nicola&Tony say, check that the fan operates properly. Check if the rad gills are blocked with muck and maybe backflush the whole system.

It has a fan, but it doesn't come on automatically; you have to switch it on manually with a switch someone has fitted.

The van started today, so I assumed there was water in the electrics somewhere which had gradually dried out. We went out for a drive (on LPG) and it seemed fine. However, on the way home the engine spluttered, lost power and backfired again. We switched to petrol which got us home, but I am obviously unhappy with how it is running. Could the two problems (coolant and backfiring/losing power) be related? Excuse my ignorance, but I just want to get this sorted once and for all. And once again, thanks for everyone's help.

[HarryMann]

Yes and no...

Typically not I'd say... but if there's damp around then possibly.

Why don't you remove and air the distributor cap and leads if you can find a warm hour or two, refit and lightly spray with WD40

It is possible that after a while the cooling system is somewhere spraying a very fine stream of steam/water out... if this then approaches the ignition system it might bring on thos symptons. Trouble is, as with fuel leaks, sometimes it's all evaporated by the time you get around the back and take a close looksee

Conversely, maybe try looking under the engine lid at night when its damp, or after a run giving trouble, look for sparking/arcing when revved up, which may show clearly in the dark

[beergut100]

Things have got worse! If we manage to start the van, it is stalling five minutes later and won't start again. I've replaced the dizzy cap with a new one from GSF, but to no avail. The only garage we trust in Oldham are too busy and can't get us in until next week, and it is supposed to be going to Chester for it's MOT and a bit of work on Saturday; but we obviously won't be able to get there.

Aaaarrrggh!

[Rozzo]

get some wd40 and spray every ht lead along its full length,, then spray the coil lead and then remove the dizzy cap and spray all inside the cap and the bottom with loads of wd40. this will remove any traces of water from inside and it will probably start. give it 5 or 10 minutes after spraying for any flamable gasses to settle out before trying to start it.
usually works for me

[beergut100]

I have tried WD40ing all the contact points. I spoke to Steve at Gasure and he thinks from the symptoms (Very reluctant starting, stalling etc.) it is probably the coil at fault. I know replacing the coil is probably pretty easy, but I'm sick of tinkering with it and getting nowhere, so it's now booked into a garage on Monday. It's the only local garage I trust (VW specialists), but they're very short staffed lately and it's always a few days before we can take the van in.

Anyhow, we're now booked in the local garage (Volksmaster), and I've rescheduled the MOT with Steve for the week he gets back off holiday; so thanks for everyone's help, but I'll be taking the bus for a week or two to save any more headaches!