I have just fitted my missing tinware and got a new battery and me van turns over be it a bit slow
But it wont fire up
I have removed one spark plug and tested for a spark which was fine but the spark was yellow. Shouldnt it be blue and if so what would cause this?
Also the plug was dry even though I can hear and smel fuel being squirted in to the carbs
Any suggestions? Plug gaps, could this cuase the spark to be yellow
Cheers folks
Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
- albertramsbottom
- Trader
- Posts: 137
- Joined: 18 Aug 2008, 08:38
- 80-90 Mem No: 5813
- Location: Lampeter, West Wales
- Contact:
Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
2ltr 1982 Aircooled
Street Decals
Vinyl FX Graphics
Design, Creation and application of leading edge vinyl graphics.
Vehicle signage, windows, and decals
http://www.streetdecals.co.uk
Street Decals
Vinyl FX Graphics
Design, Creation and application of leading edge vinyl graphics.
Vehicle signage, windows, and decals
http://www.streetdecals.co.uk
- rugchucker
- Registered user
- Posts: 322
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 17:07
- 80-90 Mem No: 1605
- Location: Andover Hants
Re: Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
Are you using cheap chinese spark plugs?
Des

Des
If you can't weld it try bostic!!
Member No:1605
Member No:1605
- albertramsbottom
- Trader
- Posts: 137
- Joined: 18 Aug 2008, 08:38
- 80-90 Mem No: 5813
- Location: Lampeter, West Wales
- Contact:
Re: Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
Well JK ones so was probably
All i can say is it was firing and few weeks ago, so it shouldnt be the plugs
Dry sparkys though suggests that there is no fuel getting in to the cylinders even through I can clearly see fuel squirting in to the carbs
Strange

All i can say is it was firing and few weeks ago, so it shouldnt be the plugs
Dry sparkys though suggests that there is no fuel getting in to the cylinders even through I can clearly see fuel squirting in to the carbs
Strange
2ltr 1982 Aircooled
Street Decals
Vinyl FX Graphics
Design, Creation and application of leading edge vinyl graphics.
Vehicle signage, windows, and decals
http://www.streetdecals.co.uk
Street Decals
Vinyl FX Graphics
Design, Creation and application of leading edge vinyl graphics.
Vehicle signage, windows, and decals
http://www.streetdecals.co.uk
- VWCamperfan
- Registered user
- Posts: 993
- Joined: 08 Jul 2007, 19:47
- 80-90 Mem No: 4000
- Location: Sheerness, Kent.
Re: Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
Do the usual... wang a bit of fuel down the carb and see if it fires up.
Mark.
I'm Not A Complete Idiot... Some Bits Are Missing!
1.6 Modified CT engine.
I'm Not A Complete Idiot... Some Bits Are Missing!
1.6 Modified CT engine.
- albertramsbottom
- Trader
- Posts: 137
- Joined: 18 Aug 2008, 08:38
- 80-90 Mem No: 5813
- Location: Lampeter, West Wales
- Contact:
Re: Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
Yeah tried that but as I said there is fuel being squirted in to the carbs anyway
Cheers
Cheers
2ltr 1982 Aircooled
Street Decals
Vinyl FX Graphics
Design, Creation and application of leading edge vinyl graphics.
Vehicle signage, windows, and decals
http://www.streetdecals.co.uk
Street Decals
Vinyl FX Graphics
Design, Creation and application of leading edge vinyl graphics.
Vehicle signage, windows, and decals
http://www.streetdecals.co.uk
- ghost123uk
- Registered user
- Posts: 6855
- Joined: 10 Mar 2006, 10:15
- 80-90 Mem No: 2585
- Location: John in Malpas, in the very S. W. part of Cheshire.
- Contact:
Re: Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
The plugs shouldn't appear wet under normal conditions.
If they did it would mean the engine is flooded.
Remember the petrol is in a gas state when it gets to the cylinders.
I note you mentioned recently that you had some confusion re dizzy caps and leads, have you got that sorted, if not that could cause a weak spark.
Thinking about it, I reckon most sparks I have seen are not really blue, more yellow, I think
If they did it would mean the engine is flooded.
Remember the petrol is in a gas state when it gets to the cylinders.
I note you mentioned recently that you had some confusion re dizzy caps and leads, have you got that sorted, if not that could cause a weak spark.
Thinking about it, I reckon most sparks I have seen are not really blue, more yellow, I think

Got a new van, but it's a 165bhp T4 [shock horror] Accurate LPG Station map here
Re: Van wont fire - Yellow Spark
When I had yellow sparks it turned out to be a lack of decent earth. You also state that you have put on a new battery so I'd double check the connections to battery and body. If that doesn't turn up anything then a jump lead between the engine and the negative on the battery may help show up and issue.
That's what fixed my slow cranking and yellow sparks anyway
That's what fixed my slow cranking and yellow sparks anyway