Newbie, help, engine trouble..

[kennyjackett]

Hi guys
Hope this isn't gonna be a regular occurrence..
1900 water cooled, petrol, auto.
Driving home form a short trip today the engine started coughing, like it was running out of juice. Managed to get it up the road. Tried starting it, fires fine but then as soon as I take my foot of pedal it dies. So, I trudged to garage, got some petrol and tried it again. It started and then ticked over fine. So, thought it must have been the petrol. Drove to petrol station to fill her up and, boom, same thing. Had a fiddle around making sure all the leads and whatnot were tight and it finally started. Got home fine. Then, just for piece of mind I tried it again before locking her up for the night, and boom, same thing again... fires fine but then just dies.

Fuel pump? Fuel filter?? Any ideas?? AA call in morning I guess.....

Sorry if I am missing a simple answer here, just had van a couple of weeks and trying to get to know it a bit.

[BOXY]

The fuel filter costs about £1.50. Replace that first anyway.

[kevtherev]

The fuel filter costs about £1.50. Replace that first anyway.

yes.... then if it persists the fuel pump is next

[bodgit]

if you check that in line fuel filter and it has water in the fuel-clear bubbles in the fuel, then you best check the rubber neck of the fuel filler just inside of fuel cap.any splits or decay on this lets water in = crap or non run. best of luck. all I can say is that if the van is a keeper if that rubber is perished - replace.

[kennyjackett]

Thanks for the tips guys. I will get out there in the morning and see what's what. it's definitely a keeper so I really want to learn as much as I can. Haynes reading as we speak

[300CE]

In addition to the above Kenny, do you know when it was last serviced? If you're not sure deffo worth doing a basic service as well as changing those filters.

[soulfly71]

Check the Fuel Filter under the van, if its got water in it check your breather pipes that go to the petrol tank, breather pipes run from the small tanks under the left/right side of the arch, if theyre knacked (in my case) they let water into the tank causing water in the fuel which goes to your carbs where itl settle in the Float Bowl causing mayhem.
If you cant see water in the filter that doesnt mean youve not got water in the carbs either.
If theyre ok and all is well id probably look at the timing next.

[ajsimmo]

Also check for bad connection on idle cut-off solenoid on front of carb (ie facing you as you look at it).