Mystery fuel starvation problem - or is it water?

[Jabes]

Hi there. Just after Christmas I drove down the M6 from Cheshire to see family in Gloucester and got as far as Birmingham on a wet day before my van cut out, as if someone had cut the main fuel line. Strange thing was, as soon as I turned the key, it started immediately and would then run for about a minute before cutting out again.

I managed to get off the motorway, unloaded all the luggage and kids and sprayed everything electrical with WD40. It was a wet day and there was lying water on the motorway. This didn't help so I called for breakdown recovery. When we got recovered to the local garage, the guys took off the fuel filter and flushed it through but couldn't resolve the issue. So the van got recovered to Cheshire and we made alternative arrangements.

When we got back, the van started fine and ran fine, without any problems, and the problem hasn't come back.

I am going on holiday to Scotland next month and obviously would like to have fixed something by then so I can be sure it won't happen again. Does anyone have any experience of this or any ideas where to look? Thanks guys.

Info: van is a 1990 German import Bluestar 7 seater, with a 2007 vege DJ engine and digifant. I have had it 3 years and it is a daily runner.

[faggie]

if its a 2.1 cut open the fuel filter and see if the inside is full of rust, has the tank ever been replaced , i would replace the fuel lines for peace of mind , try a different petrol cap

[Jabes]

if its a 2.1 cut open the fuel filter and see if the inside is full of rust, has the tank ever been replaced , i would replace the fuel lines for peace of mind , try a different petrol cap

Thanks Faggie. Problem was the same when we took off the petrol cap. Will check the fuel lines and filter as you say. Thanks for reply.

[kevtherev]

fuel pressure/pump OK and consistent?

[Jabes]

Does anyone know what pressure the fuel pump should be running at? I'm going to get a pressure gauge and check it out. Cheers.