1988 2.1 Autosleeper issue

[dlmcfc]

 
Hi all!
 
I have a 1988 2.1 Autosleeper (https://www.instagram.com/vw_t25_rusty_bitch) and she's having trouble ☹ I’m not mechanical so need so help if you can advise please?
 
After a two week tour around France last year she started idling funny, dropping revs intermittently. We got her home at the end of the holiday where she gave up on our street and I had to get the neighbours to help me push her back on the drive. At the start of this year I got to getting her sorted and tried to drive her to a garage. She wouldn’t start. She ticked over but wouldn’t catch, and during tick over loads of petrol was spilling from under the van onto the drive. I got her recovered to a general garage that had helped with a friends motorhome. They’ve had a look and suggested that the head gasket has gone. They said they’ll try and sort it but its been ages now and they are struggling for parts (or more likely don’t want to do the job – fair enough).
 
I cant get the petrol leaking on turnover and rough idling out of my mind, and am not convinced with the diagnosis as the guy sounded a bit unsure on the phone. As I said though I'm not mechanical so I'm really not sure. Does this sound feasible? I called a local specialist and he said he wont do a head gasket on a petrol van as its mostly not successful. I feel like I might be looking for a new engine, but really want to explore keeping the van as original as possible.
 
Cheers,
Dave
 

[Smiffo]

Leaking fuel is a concern. Are your fuel lines OK?
They tend to perish with time, so if left too long they can split and allow air in, and/or fuel out.

You really need to address that whether it is the source of your overall problem or not.

[maxstu]

Are you sure it's petrol and not coolant?

Faulty ECU. Test procedure in Bentley ( l can post here the procedure if needed?). All you need is a multimeter and follow the guide.
If all fuel lines are tight and sound, then it could be injectors are passing fuel out of the exhaust valves.
Here is a simple test. Switch ignition to first stage (not starting vehicle). Does fuel pump run for half a second then stop? You will easily hear it if you stand outside vehicle and turn key.

[maxstu]

Smiffo, l just added a bit more. Perhaps OP is mistaking petrol for coolant?

[Smiffo]

Smiffo, l just added a bit more. Perhaps OP is mistaking petrol for coolant?

Good shout, Stu 

[dlmcfc]

Leaking fuel is a concern. Are your fuel lines OK?
-    Yes I had them all replaced with new in 2021
 
Are you sure it's petrol and not coolant?
-    Yeah pretty sure due to the smell. Would coolant leak from under the middle of the van on turnover if it was head gasket?

Faulty ECU. Test procedure in Bentley
-    Van is still at the garage so I’ll have to go down and try this, thanks for the tip

I guess I'm hoping there’s a chance it isn’t the head gasket otherwise I’m guessing I’ll be looking at a new engine. Thanks Smiffo and maxstu for the help and quick replies!
 

[maxstu]

If it is not coolant then dispel head gasket fault.
Keep us posted.

[ajsimmo]

I wonder which parts the garage is struggling for if there isn't yet a definite diagnosis?
I'd think about finding another garage.

If it's fuel leaking at idle it could be the spigot through the bullhead cracked/snapped or a plastic fuel rail cracked. I've had both happen on my pick-up.

Sent from my moto g(30) using Tapatalk