Need help - not starting!

[Choppski]

Hello Forum fans,

My problem that i need some help and advice on is this:

My 2.0 CU air cooled van started fine this morning and after about a 1mile travelling down the road, came to a junction and the engine stalled (ok, maybe it was me). Then i could not start her up again. She turned over nice and fast but could not fire up. So, i opened up the engine hatch and checked all the wires etc where present and correct - yes, they were. Checked that there was fuel in the tank, it was just a touch over the red line and i put 5 ltrs of fresh fuel in for good measure. Tried the engine but still not firing after a couple of attempts. I even tried using jump leads in case the battery was a touch flat, again no joy.

Next, i popped the air filer and connectors off to expose the carbs, then sprayed a fair bit of carb cleaner in both carbs as they looked a little dirty. Then tried again....and joy of joys she started straight away! Travelled for 50 miles with no issues what so ever.

But wait....here come the punch line....

Came home after a 6 hours and she started up no issue.....20 seconds later she cuts out and now i can't start her again. Without going through the whole shi-bang of the above again. Any ideas as to what the hell could be wrong?

My guess is it is fuel related. I should mention that it has an electric fuel pump - could this cause such erratic running or is it time for a full carb strip and clean???

Muchos gracias friends in advance for your kindly advice.

[SYNCROSPARESUK]

Hi there,
It could be your fuel cut-off solinoid playing up. When the ignition is turned on the solinoid receives 12v and opens plunger. Well worth checking your wiring for electric fuel pump to.
cheers

[BOXY]

Check the fuel filter. If you ran the fuel too low it could have partially blocked the filter. At low "starting" RPM it can't suck the fuel through, the carb cleaner might have been enough to get it firing and sucking harder.

[warge]

Hi there...not sure if this problem is related but I had a similar sort of issue last year. I have a 2.1 petrol and a few months ago it started to stall ....then run for a bit until eventually it just wouldn't fire up, no problems turning over, just wouldn't fire. Changed the fuel filter and various other sensors but in the end, on the excellent advice from fellow member Aiden, I changed the T.C.I. unit which is some sort of ignition booster thingy !!! Anyhoo since then no problem at all....it runs really well....that's put the kiss of death on it ! As said, not sure if this related to your situation but good luck anyway..warge

[sarran1955]

Hello,

When did you last change the fuel filter

What sort of ignition do you have,

Photos please.

Cordialement,

[Choppski]

Hello,

When did you last change the fuel filter

What sort of ignition do you have,

Photos please.

Cordialement,

i changed the filters last summer - both the engine bay one and the other from the fuel tank.

i have the electrical ignition with the black box thingy.

i find posting photos on here an complete nightmare....but i'll try in the morning if still no joy. i was reading the John Muir book for other ideas and i will check the coil and the spark plugs are in good condition and gapped correctly. after that i'll be running on empty for ideas...so to speak.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

I'm going for an intermittent electrical fault in the ignition.

As I've said elsewhere, you can buy a new SVDA dizzy and coil for less than the price of a hall sensor.

With these engines, IMHO, best to keep everything as simple as poss.

Cordialement,

[Choppski]

well, spent 4 hours goings over things today:

- fuel pump was working fine and the through the system seemed to have no problems coming through. Not that then

- i then checked every electrical connection starting with the fuel cut off solieniod (as suggested from you guys) the connections were very gummed up with grease and old oil.
- then checked the dizzy and all ok - apart from the usual carbon build up. nothing a quick scrape of a screw driver couldn't fix.

- then checked the coil connections again, gummed up. checked spark and it was blue - ok then.

- then checked the spark plugs. Number 1 and 3 were fairly blacked with carbon with a light touch of oil at the base of the screw thread. The tips were bone dry. 2 and 4 were grey black but completely dry. Also, the checked the gaps and all were .08 or more - which is too large of course. Made them back to .06 or .07mm as spec.

- I also cleaned up the connection around the earth strap to gearbox/ chassis for good measure. It wasn't too bad, but you never know...

and for a bit of luck....a bit of spray from the trusty carb cleaner.....fingers crossed.....

and BOOM she fired up with the very first turn of the engine!

Get in!

took her off for a 15 mile drive, left for two hours and she starter up again with no issues. It has also seemed to have solved my slowish starting crank i sometimes suffer from.

So i'm not sure exactly what was the issue, but thanked the automotive air cooled spirit in the sky for helping get it going.


Thanks for your suggestions...now i just have to sort out my beetle which has obviously got jealous and now wants attention!