Turning over but won't start - just today

[Emma&Al]

Hi all,

Suddenly, this morning, my van won't start. I couldnt bump start because its an auto. It's turning over and almost starting, but just can't get there.
I had a new starter motor put in a few weeks back and all seemed fine after that. I've also had a new battery.
Could it be damp? I opened up the engine lid and there was a lot of condensation..admittedly I've not noticed that before, but guess thats quite normal - it rained all last night and its VERY misty where I am.
I looked it the Haynes bible and it said to spray WD40 into the HT Leads...is that OK? I've not done that before and it scares me a bit...I thought WD40 should be away from any sparks?

Where else can I look at? The engine is really oily and Im wondering if there are certain steps I can take to fix this myself?
Really planned to get out of my town tomorrow and now its all gone wrong

Thanks all Emma

[CovKid]

You need to whittle down the cause a bit. Small splash of petrol down the carb, then try starting and see if it fires up, if its the same, has to be electrics.

[Emma&Al]

Thanks Cov Kid ..I think I'll have to look in the bible again to see exactly where the carb is.

[kevtherev]

Best not...especially if you're worried about a bit of water dispersant.
Let someone who knows what a carburetor looks like do the petrol trick.

[Emma&Al]

Ok, so I left the van a few days ...as I was at work and was still researching what to do to help it start...went to start it up after a few days standing, and it was fine! 100 mile round trip with a few short stops in between today, and its still fine... ??

It does feel a little lumpy though and it tends to cut out I've noticed, a few times, when I've put it in R...starts again fine though..
Been advised by someone to change air filter, HT leads and Rotor arm with dis cap too - is it worth doing this?
MOT due within the next few weeks - ARGHGHGH

[kevtherev]

Been advised by someone to change air filter, HT leads and Rotor arm with dis cap too - is it worth doing this?
MOT due within the next few weeks - ARGHGHGH

Yes, it's called a service, along with the oil and oil filter... I do it every year

MOT is just a safety check, to make sure the van doesn't kill you

[CovKid]

And make a beeline for the fuel filter - easy and cheap to replace. Could be that the fuel hadn't quite got through and the second time it had just enough to start. Not unusual if that was the cause.

[Emma&Al]

Thanks Kev, it was serviced last year - so due another. I've heard they dont always change the leads? is that true?
Ok, so fuel filter is on my list too then! Thanks

[kevtherev]

Thanks Kev, it was serviced last year - so due another. I've heard they dont always change the leads? is that true?

No they don't. that's true.

I've heard that garages don't always do what they bill you for, is that true?
I do my own so I know what does get done, and what needs to be done, according to the great god VW it should be serviced twice yearly.

[Emma&Al]

Kev.. I think that's probably true too!!

So I went online to GSF and bought HT leads, rotor arm, dizzy cap, fuel filter, air filter and hope to do that this week!
Thanks all

[CovKid]

What I tend to see a lot of (of late) is vehicles where fuel has drained back to tank, not enough in carb to start it, and the action of turning engine over on starter doesn't allow the pump to run fast enough to pull fuel through. ie. the starter works but engine has nothing to fire with.

The only way to break the cycle is to drip enough fuel into carb throat initially (eggcup full) to allow it to start and for pump to catch up. Certainly on a non-start I'll prime engine this way and if it doesn't start then, you can be fairly sure its electrics. If it starts, its definately drain-back but the problem is likely to occur more frequently rather than go away. New mechanical or electric pump will cure it. Worth bearing in mind if the problem does comes back.

If it won't play ball, undo the three 8mm nuts on the duct fixed to top of carb, tip a little petrol in as above, then see if it starts. I had to do that fairly regularly if vehicle had been stood for more than two days and went electric to get my sanity back.

There does seem to be a pattern to that kind of fault where vehicle will start following day but not if left for say 2-3 days and particularly if normally it starts with no trouble.

[Emma&Al]

Thanks CovKid Ill bear that in mind