van just cut out and died

[randiandipandi]

Hi, supposed to be going camping today so van is loaded to the rooflining!

Got in and started up fine, sat at tickover for a minute or two (waiting for the wife to come out of house) and then just cut out and died. TBH i wasn't paying much attention (chatting to the kids) as i wasn't expecting a problem, but pretty sure i would have noticed if the revs were dying down and would have given it a kick of gas peddle.

don't know if it was running long enough for the carb to warm up.
when you turn the key it turns over and fires, but never "catches"
i've probably flooded the engine now trying to start it so come back inside to refer to wiki and forum!

my initial reaction was that it wasn't getting fuel, so i checked the fuel filter - which looked fine.

the engine is a 1.9 dg recon, fitted about 700 miles ago. Timing was checked and adjusted mid week by a garage that specialise in old VW's - who replaced a vac pipe. This is the 1st time it has been run since then - so i'm presuming this is not a coincidence...but more importantly is there anything a mechanically inept person (me) can do? other than get my local friendly mechanic around?

Thanks

[itchyfeet]

Just open the lid and check the spark plug leads are all on ok and that none of the little vac pipes have fallen off
check the dizzy cap is on ok and clipped down and see if the whole dizzy will turn ( perhaps they forgot to clamp it)
if you dont know much id say get the garage who tinkered with it to come round and fix it


note to self, never get work done days before a holiday

[randiandipandi]

note to self, never get work done days before a holiday

hmmm, this is a lesson I should have learnt on a previous occasion

[Flyingchunk]

To die like that, it sounds like it could be electrical.

Have you got a motor factors place near you open on Saturday mornings?

Euro Car Parts for example?

Looking at where you are, there must be a VW specialist locally. Just hinges on if they are open.

It's a long shot but they might carry a distributor cap, HT leads (including the one that runs from the coil), and rotor arm.

Get down there and buy the lot (it should be not more than £30-£40).

Swap the lot with your current set up (making sure to get the HT leads in exactly the same order as the old ones).

Give it a try.

Worst that can happen is your left with a load of spares you will no doubt need in the future.

Might get you under way today as well.

If was going to check something first, I'd say swap the rotor arm in the distributor.

Mine went on the M25, and symptoms were indentical.

Let us know how you get on.

[itchyfeet]

To die like that, it sounds like it could be electrical.

.

Or an air leak, choke comes off and it stalls becuse its weak mixture, choke would come off quick in this weather

[Flyingchunk]

Could be. Re reading it, it does attempt to fire and then die.

It's the "not catching" bit that made me think electrics.

It's certainly worth checking all the breather hoses.

[BOXY]

Try to be systematic with the fault finding. First of all check you've got a spark. If you've got a spare spark plug, pull off one HT lead plug the spare plug into it and rest it on the engine block and get someone to turn the key. (You don't need to use a spare spark plug but it makes the spark easier to see and means you don't have to hold the HT lead against the block.

If you've got a spark you could be really paranoid and check the other three plugs but one spark would be enough to cough the engine over.

If there's no spark check the simple things first.
There should be a spade connector just under the dizzie. If that's come off the engine won't fire.
Check the plug on the dizzie is clean and fully home. The rubber boot can stop the contacts making but still look like its plugged together.
Check the plugs on the ignition control box & idle stabaliser.

Check you've got 12v going to the coil with the ignition swiched on.

The way you described the engine just stopping would make me think the problem was electrical rather than fuel. The engine with a fuel issue normally coughs and stutters before giving up, electrical problems tend to be more on/off.

[randiandipandi]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies. The wife insisted we unload the van and just take essentials with us in the daily driver, so we are now in Cornwall but crammed in a 206 like sardines!
Will sort out van on return.
Had to leave the chilled beer at home

[Flyingchunk]

Ahhhh the boss has spoken.

Only a fool would disagree.

A few nights under canvas will make you appreciate the van even more.

[BOXY]

If you're in a tent, have you seen the weather forecast for Sunday

[CovKid]

Hmmm. So it sat there, ran a minute or so then died. I know that feeling only too well.

I wouldn't seize on ignition faults if it started fine and ran even for a short while. It is far more likely that it simply ran out of fuel - a dry fuel line but with engine running on whatever was left in carb from when you last used it. That runs out fairly quickly even at idle and then theres not enough suction from pump to pull fresh fuel right the way through. It can take quite a while before an empty line is fully primed again. This hot weather will cause it, as will even the smallest air hole in pump diaphram. Its only flooded if you can smell fuel at the back. No fuel smell, the exact opposite could be true.

[randiandipandi]

Thank you all. A week in the remains of a hurricane - with only bare essentials (except chilled booze!) - what could be better?

[Smiffo]

Hi, supposed to be going camping today so van is loaded to the rooflining!

Got in and started up fine, sat at tickover for a minute or two (waiting for the wife to come out of house) and then just cut out and died. TBH i wasn't paying much attention (chatting to the kids) as i wasn't expecting a problem, but pretty sure i would have noticed if the revs were dying down and would have given it a kick of gas peddle.

don't know if it was running long enough for the carb to warm up.
when you turn the key it turns over and fires, but never "catches"
i've probably flooded the engine now trying to start it so come back inside to refer to wiki and forum!

my initial reaction was that it wasn't getting fuel, so i checked the fuel filter - which looked fine.

the engine is a 1.9 dg recon, fitted about 700 miles ago. Timing was checked and adjusted mid week by a garage that specialise in old VW's - who replaced a vac pipe. This is the 1st time it has been run since then - so i'm presuming this is not a coincidence...but more importantly is there anything a mechanically inept person (me) can do? other than get my local friendly mechanic around?

Thanks

A very similar thing happened to me Thursday afternoon...
There I was, sat in traffic - engine not too hot either - and it just stopped....

Instant - no poor running etc - just stopped, and wouldn't start...

To be honest, my daily commute has began to be plagued by intermittent loss of power and the need to rev at junctions sometimes.
This always cleared in 10 seconds or so, which is why I put off looking at it...!! ( Error number 1 )

Mine is sat in a garage now to be looked at Monday or Tuesday, so I will let you know what they find as it could help you out with your similar symptoms...

Mine has spark, fuel etc, but just won't go - which is worrying - but it went from running fine to stop, as if I turned the key off.
Sounds remarkably similar to your fault.

[ermie571]

Tell the garage to check and replace the rotor arm....this stopped play in France for a member this week too. X

[Smiffo]

Tell the garage to check and replace the rotor arm....this stopped play in France for a member this week too. X

Thanks Ermie.
Will do - I found the post you refer to - well done Sharran..!!

The AA bloke ( well, 3rd party sub contractor from AA - this is another story ) was a bit baffled, as there was spark, fuel, and air etc - so we just towed it away...

I will definitely post the findings, anyway.