On going Starting/running issues, even garage is stumped

[captaincalamityclam]

Hi I have a standard 1.9 watercooled T3 or T25 whatever its called, year 1988.

problem: sometimes it starts fine, then suddenly cuts out and will not start what ever you do, sometimes the starter really flies and just spins no start, then you turn the key of and on the starter chugs and tries to start but no go.

But then you call out the AA, sometimes the big starter booster pack fires it into life, then the last break down suggested the fuel pump was faulty.

Just recently the drive is great, but occasionally the engine stutters and then stalls, wait a little it restarts fine, then 5 minutes later the same thing.

Things replaced:

NEW Starter motor
cable from start to front battery, with new fittings etc.
dizzy cap and all leads
spark plugs
battery tested OK
carb been rebuilt with new gaskets
new fuel pump and fittings

Last night after having the new fuel pump fitted as I was driving up a hill had to stop to give way at top, stall, but fired up perfectly straight away, now I am left completely not trusting the van its let us down so many times now, been back and forth to the garage, totally fed up with it....HELP, please any advice will be so helpful

[BOXY]

Sounds like it could be a number of problems:-

sometimes the starter really flies and just spins no start, then you turn the key of and on the starter chugs and tries to start

When the starter "really flies" is it turning the engine over? If it's not then the solenoid or pinion might be sticking.

occasionally the engine stutters and then stalls, wait a little it restarts fine, then 5 minutes later the same thing

Sounds like a fuel issue. Have you checked / changed the inline fuel filter under the van by the petrol tank?

then suddenly cuts out and will not start what ever you do

If the engine just "switches off" rather than stuttering maybe the electronic ignition has got an intermittent fault? When it does this have you checked to see if you have a spark?

[Oldiebut goodie]

I notice that none of the earths have been checked - they should have been checked before new starter motor!
Poor earths could cause all those symptoms.

[BOXY]

I just had a quick read of your previous post.

Fuel Filter, seems ok, bit murky yellow, but no bits.

If it's murky yellow is probably worth blowing £1.50 on and changing it.

[toomanytoys]

Dizzy cap changed, but did you change the rotor arm too???

Seen this a couple of times.. rotor arm fails when hot, then works again for a short period.. std beetle one does the job..

[captaincalamityclam]

Sorry forgot to mention the dizzy rotor arm is also new, so is the fuel filter and all earth connections have been checked, the thing I was going to try next was the main coil ?

[kevtherev]

Fuel pump push rod worn.. is a classic for fuel related
should be100mm long.

[andyspanners.21]

Hi

I had similar problem caused by earth lead between carb and inlet manifold.. Personaly I would also check and clean the earth between engine and chasis especialy as your starter turns some times and not others. Blocked carb jets can also give similar symptoms as can a lump of rust/ crud floating about in your fuel tank. My money would be on a poor earth though.

Keep us posted Andy