Newbie alert Is overheating and refusing to restart ok?

[MarkP]

Hi guys,

Currently on our dream European tour and our 1984 watercooled Digijet engine doesn't want to restart if we take a break after a long drive. Having driven for 4 hours in pretty hot conditions the van refuses to restart and we have to leave it for between 10-40 minutes before the ignition starts working again. Is it correct that there's some sort of fail safe that prevents you starting the engine when it is overheated? At no point when driving does the temperature gauge on the dash get beyond half way and and the coolant level is correct.

Is this just the norm for an old but much loved T25 or do we need to worry?

Thanks for any help in advance.

Mark

[Hacksawbob]

some sort of fail safe that prevents you starting the engine when it is overheated?

No (unless the engine seized! )

Depends on how not starting take a look here
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... rter_motor" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

post a bit more info, eg starter motor turning freely but engine not firing?

[MarkP]

Thanks for your reply.

After a long journey the ignition doesn't do anything. When you turn the key nothing happens at all, there isn't even the noise of the fuel pump working. I assumed it was due to overheating as it has happened 3 times and it has always been after a short break during a long journey.

Is there definitely nothing to prevent it starting when overheated?

Thanks again for your help

Mark

[72BUG]

There isn't an overheat shut off.

Are you getting dashboard lights when you turn the ignition on?

Sounds to me like the ignition itself playing up which is a known fault on these vans.

[MarkP]

Thanks Martin. The lights on the dash are coming on, is that a good or bad sign?

[72BUG]

That's a good sign I think.

Next question. When you turn the key is the van turning over, clicking, or nothing at all?

E D I T - sorry. Just read your previous post properly.

Sounds like an electrical problem to me but I don't really know much about the water cooled vans.

Bad contacts getting hot and not conducting, cooling down and conducting again?

My first check would be the connections to the starter motor which have a tenancy to corrode causing intermittent or total failure to start.

[MarkP]

Thanks Martin. It's a relief to hear it's unlikely to be of any immediate danger as we've got a long drive down Italy in the morning. I'll post a question in the electrical section.

Thanks again,

Mark

[72BUG]

No worries Mark.

Just keep your eye on the temp gauge. Obviously if it looks like its overheating then stop and let it cool down. But it doesn't sound like an overheating problem to me.