1989 1.9 watercooled transporter not firing

Post by **jammcd649** » 17 Aug 2006, 17:28

Hi everyone,

I've just become a member and this is my first of probably many posts!
We bought a 1989 1.9 watercooled transporter just over a week ago with a view to doing a camper conversio. All was going well untill a couple of days ago I started having engine troubles. I lost a lot of power and the engine was making a lot of popping and bangining noises.

I have changed the plugs, cleaned the contacts on the dizzy and the rotor arm, I've also changed the little black box thats wired to the distributor for a second hand item from a breakers as I was advised to by a friendly AA man. Unfortunately I still have the same problem.

When removing leads from the left side of the engine (as you look at it from the back) neither appears to make any difference so I am led to believe that my van is only firing on 2.

What would be your suggestions on what to try next?

Any help will be greatfully received, thanks in advance,

Jamie

Website · Post by **dingleyhythe** » 17 Aug 2006, 18:18

If it were mine I would start by replacing the ignition leads, dizzy cap, plugs and rotor arm - even if this is not the cause of your problem most newly acquired bangers benefit from this sort of maintenance as most people neglect them when about to sell a vehicle and the bits are not particularly expensive.

Post by **jammcd649** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:12

Thanks for that.

I've already tried changing the plugs, haven't changed the leads or the dizzy, but have cleaned the contacts up. I've checked each lead is sending a spark.

One thing I forgot to mention is that as you said about cars being neglected when they get sold is taht I discovered that some numpty had decided to remove the air filter element. Now I'm wondering if that has caused muck to get fired through the carb and get stuck in the inlet causing not enough fuel and air to get through to each cylinder and hence the 2 cylinders on the left bank not firing.

Is this possible and how would I go about removing and or cleaning all the muck out?

Cheers, Jamie

Post by **trickydicky** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:12

Where are you! There might be someone local who could have a look, also if they have a camper you could find it usefull to have a poke round

Post by **jammcd649** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:14

cheers tricky, know anyone around the shropshire/ west midlands area, near Bridgnorth?

Post by **trickydicky** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:26

I'll ask

Post by **kevtherev** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:53

Breath in and........relax.
I'm down the road in wolves....here to help...etc

Website · Post by **dingleyhythe** » 18 Aug 2006, 09:51

A compression test might help in diagnosis - if it has been run with no filter for a long time valve / bore damage from abrasive particles is possible, I'd definitely clean out the carb too although this would affect all four cylinders so is not likely to be your problem but may well help long term.

Post by **Horney** » 18 Aug 2006, 10:02

Have you checked you are getting a spark from the plugs on the bank that is not firing?

THat's where I would start. If you have a nice healthy spark from the plugs then it's to check fuel is getting through and work your way from there.

Nick

Post by **jammcd649** » 18 Aug 2006, 18:36

thanks kevtherev, how do i get in touch mate? may need you, going to try cleaning out the carb and inlet tomorrow but if thats still a no go I could be needing your assistance!

Post by **jammcd649** » 18 Aug 2006, 18:38

yes horney, have checked that I get a spark from all the plugs, thats what I thought first of all as I was hoping the problem would be electrical but unfortunately its not!

Post by **jammcd649** » 19 Aug 2006, 20:49

well I've spent all day trying to get her going, I've cleaned out all of the carb and inlet with carb cleaner, put it back together and there was no difference!

Then took the carb and inlet off again, removed the rocker cover and turned the engine by hand. One valve appeared to be sticking so checked the push rods but they were ok. Worked the valve in and out and that seemed to be ok then too.

Was going to take the head off but just couldn't get the exhaust bolts undone! So I gave up and put it all back together.

Tried to start her again but now I can't get it to start, But I think this may be partly down to the downpoor we had today getting some water in the engine when it was in bits, I hope!!!

Going to try starting her up again in the morning but I'm lost as to what the problem can be now! Any ideas!?!?!

Post by **kevtherev** » 20 Aug 2006, 20:30

Tell me when it's convienient...and I'll ask my pal shepster to come too.
A day on the weekend would be good for both of us.

PM me your address and fone number......

Post by **jammcd649** » 24 Aug 2006, 12:10

well i got the garage to have a look over the van to see what they suggest... They believed it to be the gaskets on the inlet manifold not being air tight and sucking in too much air therefore not firing... I promptly ordered a set of inlet manifold gaskets from just campers which arrived today. Unfortunately they sent the wrong parts!!!

So then I decided to make some gaskets out of card with loads of gasket sealant round them. Stuck these on and put it all back together but unfortunately still no joy!!!

Then I took off the rocker cover and turned the engine by hand with a nice big spanner... discovering that one of my valves is not moving at all!!!

As I mentioned earlier I cant get the head off due to the exhaust bolts being rusted stuck so I cant check the cause of this stuck valve!

HELP!!! Please!!!

Post by **toomanytoys** » 24 Aug 2006, 12:16

When you say stuck? stuck in or out?
If its stcuk in then the rocker and pushrod will have been flopping about and could easily damaged themselves...