Non starter after a couple of years not used

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

kiwirob
Registered user
Posts: 51
Joined: 20 Jun 2006, 11:03
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: High Wycombe

Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by kiwirob »

Hi All
My 89 DJ engine 2.1 has been neglected for some time...but still loved.
I now want to resurrect my camping holidays.
I have checked the oil(which i know will have to be drained) and it looks ok. I have put 5L of gas into it ( Petrol gauge doesnt register this).
It turns over with new battery but will not fire.
Getting new wheels and assuming drums have seized to an extent.
I need to get it to a garage to get mot  and get it to run well and would rather drive it there rather than have it towed. (1 mile away).
Any suggestions?
When last used ran sweet.
Im a little mechanically inclined but only really a beginner.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Rob
In the end its bygones
DJ 2.1i 89 Europamper

davidoft1
Trader
Posts: 2879
Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
80-90 Mem No: 16628
Location: hayling island

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by davidoft1 »

What is it doing or not doing when you turn the key ?

kiwirob
Registered user
Posts: 51
Joined: 20 Jun 2006, 11:03
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: High Wycombe

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by kiwirob »

Thanks for the reply
The starter motor is turning over but the engine is not firing up.
Only 5L of petrol and no indication on fuel gauge that there’s any in there.
I’m lines from petrol tank look ok. There doesn’t seem to be a leek of petrol.
Oil pressure light comes on, then goes off as expected.
Not sure how to check if the gas is getting to pump(?). Or injectors?
In the end its bygones
DJ 2.1i 89 Europamper

User avatar
jrt
Registered user
Posts: 3439
Joined: 01 Oct 2011, 15:53
80-90 Mem No: 10288
Location: East Cheshire

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by jrt »

Take the top off the carb and tip a drop of petrol down it or spray some carb cleaner in it and turn it over. If it fires up temporarily you can go from there.
It will take a bit for fuel to get delivered and there’s the likelihood that things may be gummed up after standing.
David.
the future is unwritten

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4970
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by maxstu »

jrt wrote: 26 Mar 2025, 14:38 Take the top off the carb and tip a drop of petrol down it or spray some carb cleaner in it and turn it over. If it fires up temporarily you can go from there.
It will take a bit for fuel to get delivered and there’s the likelihood that things may be gummed up after standing.
David.

It's a DJ, right?

It will need a very strong starter battery to get it turning fast enough to regains fuel pressure.

I would add another 5 litres first. Then remove a plug and check for spark. You could also add a very small amount of fuel down each spark plug hole and try again.

Is the fuel pump priming on first turn of key before turning over engine? If so, good idea to buy some carb cleaner or Easystart. Open the air boot at airflow meter and give it a spray into the throttle body.

Also check there is fuel pressure at tee-piece beside black oil breather tower. If so you need to test injectors or have them cleaned. They may well be gummed up.
Last edited by maxstu on 26 Mar 2025, 16:39, edited 1 time in total.
MaxStu
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper. Soon to be 2.1
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

TwinTurbo
Registered user
Posts: 368
Joined: 04 Sep 2024, 03:49
80-90 Mem No: 17758
Location: carlisle

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by TwinTurbo »

Still go with a snigter of Carb Claeaner/Easy start into the throttle body. Determine if it's fuel or something else.
TwinTurbo

1985 1.9 DG Caravelle Autohomes Karisma

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4970
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by maxstu »

And how long is 'neglected for some time' ?
MaxStu
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper. Soon to be 2.1
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

kiwirob
Registered user
Posts: 51
Joined: 20 Jun 2006, 11:03
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: High Wycombe

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by kiwirob »

Great job!
Thanks guys.
New 100 battery turns engine over easily. Strong enough?
Will have to find throttle body and check plugs.
At least I have something to work on even with my limited knowledge.
It’s time I found out more about mechanicals.
In the end its bygones
DJ 2.1i 89 Europamper

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4970
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by maxstu »

Yes. Strong enough if fully charged? Are you in UK? If so, whereabouts?

Squirt Easystart here...

Image

Image

Check you have fuel here....

Image
MaxStu
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper. Soon to be 2.1
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

kiwirob
Registered user
Posts: 51
Joined: 20 Jun 2006, 11:03
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: High Wycombe

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by kiwirob »

Luckily have Haynes manual.
More than a few years untouched. Embarrassingly.
In the end its bygones
DJ 2.1i 89 Europamper

kiwirob
Registered user
Posts: 51
Joined: 20 Jun 2006, 11:03
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: High Wycombe

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by kiwirob »

Wow! Thanks for the diagrams.
I’m near High Wycombe.
In the end its bygones
DJ 2.1i 89 Europamper

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4970
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by maxstu »

That's bad timing. I was in Aylesbury a week ago. :roll:
MaxStu
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper. Soon to be 2.1
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

kiwirob
Registered user
Posts: 51
Joined: 20 Jun 2006, 11:03
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: High Wycombe

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by kiwirob »

Yeah that’s unfortunate.
Let me know when you’re down this way again. I’d like to pick your brain and expertise.
In the end its bygones
DJ 2.1i 89 Europamper

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4970
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by maxstu »

Not for some time now. My sister lives 10 miles north west of Aylesbury. I visit about three times a year.

I do have an injector test kit. You can buy one on eBay. They are very reasonably priced. Just need a 12v battery to fire up the injector and run some cleaner through it's pintle.

You can remove injectors and test them for volume and spray shape. It done in pairs (as the system fires all injectors at the same time). Check left side. Then right side. It's in the Haynes manual, too. :wink:
MaxStu
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper. Soon to be 2.1
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

davidoft1
Trader
Posts: 2879
Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
80-90 Mem No: 16628
Location: hayling island

Re: Non starter after a couple of years not used

Post by davidoft1 »

The injector tester is called a noid light , cheap enough to buy but i would definitely start with £30 worth of fuel in it

Post Reply