Mystery Brown Wire

[ghost123uk]

you can see it in this pic

What's that in the bottom right of this pic Itchy?

It's the vapouriser for the engines LPG fuel system.

[Smiffo]

you can see it in this pic

What's that in the bottom right of this pic Itchy?

It's the vapouriser for the engines LPG fuel system.

Ah, thanks Ghost.
Explains why it is absent in my van then..!!

[Ecopod]

Just a quick update if anyone is still reading - and thanks to those who answered previously.

Changed fuel pump and engine bay tubing but no further forward - fires no problem if fuel chucked in carb but seems to be no way of getting fuel to carb through tubing/pump (no blockages between tank/pump).

As it stands two friends are taking bets on wether I'll get it going or will set fire to it (our bonfire isn't until next weekend due to hols).

Think I've done everything I can see in other threads but if there is anything I've missed I'd be very happy to hear it.

Cheers.

[Smiffo]

I assume there is fuel in the tank ? - I had an old Nova once that showed just under 1/4 tank on the gauge, but was empty..
If the pipes are clear, and a new pump has been fitted, and it runs with fuel put directly into the carb, it could be something simple?

[Ecopod]

Hi Smiffo,

Thanks for quick response.

Unfortunately the tank is about half full. As we say up here 'it's doing ma heid in'. I'm thinking it's something simple but can't figure it out at all.

If it's dry tomorrow I'm going to start again redoing tubing front to back etc. Do you happen to know if I need to bleed the petrol through in any way or just crank till it catches (or not in my case).

Cheers.

[Smiffo]

Hi Smiffo,

Thanks for quick response.

Unfortunately the tank is about half full. As we say up here 'it's doing ma heid in'. I'm thinking it's something simple but can't figure it out at all.

If it's dry tomorrow I'm going to start again redoing tubing front to back etc. Do you happen to know if I need to bleed the petrol through in any way or just crank till it catches (or not in my case).

Cheers.

Someone may well correct me, but I recently had a non start issue where it was stood up unused for about 8 weeks or so. The fuel ran back down to the tank I think, so needed a lot to get it going.
Did the old fuel in the carb trick a few times until the pump managed to get fuel from the tank to the carb.
I don't imagine bleeding would be needed as I effectively had empty fuel lines.

Have you tried taking fuel cap off while attempting to start it?
Again someone may correct me, but I imagine there would be a way for air to get back into the tank while the engine is running, to stop a vacuum building up and preventing fuel being pumped up.

Try taking the fuel cap off while you crank it, and see if fuel gets pumped up. This would negate any vacuum effect that may be causing you issues.
Other than that, it could be a blockage in the tank stopping fuel getting through the fuel lines?

I'm a beginner myself so these are just things I would try and are very simple - others here have helped so I would assume any replies will tell you other bits to check.

[itchyfeet]

if the tank is half full then pull the pipe off the tank offside and petrol should come out, if not then the tank pipe is blocked, common with rusty tanks and perished filler necks, as a short term fix use a foot pump to blow into the pipe.

a low tank petrol won't pour out

[Ecopod]

Many thanks guys, weather looking okay for tomorrow so I'll be back at it. Will do as suggested and all the basics and see what happens.

You'd think I'd be cursing the brick by now but hey it just adds to the character (the vans and mine).

Was hoping to squeeze in a couple more trips this year so got to keep at it.

Cheers.

[ghost123uk]

Try this. Take fuel pipe off the inlet side of the pump. Take fuel cap off. Get mate to stick his ear by the open filler, whilst you blow down the fuel pipe. After a short while, your mate should hear air bubbles in the tank. If not, there is a blockage. Now suck on the pipe until you get a gob full of petrol (or try and avoid that bit if you can ). Now put the pipe back on the pump. Now take the fuel pipe off the carb and stick it in a clear pop bottle. Now crank the engine. Generous spurts of fuel should come out of the pipe (after a couple of seconds). If it doesn't, your pump is not working.

Have a wet towel and a fire extinguisher handy when doing the above.

[Ecopod]

Hello all - bit of a delay again as busy working (very unusual for me).

Thanks to all for help and advice and Cybil is back on the road again.

The problem was (I'm 89.3% sure) a worn fuel pump push rod. The old one had a squared off end (engine side) and the new one with nice rounded end added a good 3mm to overall length. Fitted new one and a few cranks later she was off and running. It's all good as now I've also got spotless electrical connections/new rotor arm/new plugs/new fuel lines/filters/dissy cap etc etc. Pic of my worn push rod from Twitter.

https://twitter.com/morriceman/status/6 ... 9787309056" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Must try to squeeze in one last trip this year now.

Best wishes to all.

[itchyfeet]

Well done, thanks for coming back and posting what fixed it, so many people don't, nice to hear a happy ending.

[CovKid]

Fuel pump pushrod worn too short? You say you fitted new pump. I think I'd ascertain whether pump is actually pumping (new or not). I had no end of troubles with engine dying and never truly go to the bottom of it until I switched to an electric pump - which cured it.

[Ecopod]

Hi CovKid,

As per last post van is now running as good as ever so now 96.7% sure it was the fuel pump push rod and did another 40ish miles last night with no issues at all. I did consider electric fuel pump but given the original mechanical one had got the van through 87000 miles I thought I'd stick with the mechanical approach.

One interesting thing (depending on your viewpoint) from last night was the van used to splutter a bit when pulling up at junctions and last night that was gone. Again assuming carbs are getting better fuelling when slowing down than they used to due to improved pumping power.

Thanks.