Van won't start

[ANDKAT]

Hi all
A small problem has arisen here on te sunny Isle of Wight. My van won't start.

Preparing to go to work last night fired her up, moved 3 yards got out, engine still running, moved my motorbike and then the van cut out.
Tried to restart and it refuses.
She turns over but will not fire. I checked the immobiliser but that was switched off so not that.
Plenty of fuel in the tank.
Can anyone give me any clues where I should start looking.

Thanks in advance

Andy

[tinman]

What is it ? Petrol diesel ? what have you tried so far?

[ANDKAT]

Hi Sorry on nights at the minute so head isn't working as it should.

It's a 1.9 petrol dg engine no mods.

All i've tested is to see if there is a power supply to the coil, and i'm getting about 12 volts on one of the black wires and also the green(and white i think).
I haven't got a helper at the minute as i've only just got up, they are all out and it's now dark and raining.
Can anyone give me a hitlist of what to check next and how is the best way of doing it either with or without a helper.

Thanks in advance

[tinman]

You only need 3 things to make it run, Fuel, Compression and a spark. Ok that might be over simplifying .
It stopped when running so it could be fuel . whip the pipe off going into the carb from to fuel pump stick it into a bottle and crank the engine over. that will at least rule out the filter and fuel pump.If you got fuel there there is a small filter inside the carb hxagon plug near the fuel inlet pipe 17mm from memory.
If you suspect the coil take out a spark plug and rest it on a good clean metal part of the engine and get someone to crank it over should have a good strong blue spark at the electrode.
Or call the AA

[ANDKAT]

Hi all especially tinman
I have now got the van running, it was a lack of fuel getting to the carb so after some gentle persuasion and dribbling petrol into the top of the carb she fired up.
Just out of curiosity would the breather pipe that is near the filler perhaps contribute to this fuel starve issue.
The van was running fine the day before, she also ran well today except for one time where she cut out twice but restarted immediately.
The fuel pump was replaced 12 months ago so i'm just wondering if there could be an airlock or similar in the fuel system.

Thanks
Andy

[kevtherev]

replace the fuel filter Andy..
while you do that check for water in the fuel, by letting a little run out into a jar.

water sinks to the bottom as it's heavier than petrol

[CovKid]

And the filter mentioned by Tinman - it often gets overlooked. Easy to clean too. Thats two filters remember.

[tinman]

I don't know about breathers but do the simple stuff first, Filter under van just after fuel tank can't miss it a couple of quid !
At least its running and you know which area to be looking at, I'd say Result

[ANDKAT]

Thanks guys, I only replaced the fuel filter 18mths or so ago but I suppose I ought to splash out on another one.