starting struggles

[dave2878]

hi ,
been on a few times recently with slight problems with van,
the newest one is the starting when hot,
i kinda broke down yesterday after trying to start the van when it was hot.
today i took van out to see if it happened again. van started fine when cold, took it for a run for about 50 mins , when i got home i switched it of then started it again, left it for 5 mins then went out and it started but it struggled slightly. went back out after twenty mins and it wont fire into life . then went out 20 mins later and still the same.
recently i have changed the oil. spark plugs/ air filter. and battery but i have tried starting with old battery too,
i am pretty much on a learning curve now between this forum and my dad .

[dave2878]

oh and fuel filter
thanks dave

[a1winchester]

I sometimes find I need to give a good chunk of throttle when starting from hot.
May be worth a try?

[dave2878]

Yeah tried that. I usually have the accelerator depressed when I start the van . Could the new spark plugs be causing it. Checked the battery and it seems fine.
Was looking last night and seen a thing called hot start relay on jk kampers.

[a1winchester]

I presume you replaced like for like on the spark plugs and set the correct gaps (no gap adjustment on triple electrode type though)
Also, did you put the new fuel filter in the right way round? - should have an arrow for direction of flow.
You could try putting the old ones back on if you haven't binned them.

When I said I had to give some throttle, I mean that I turn the engine over on the starter and give more and more throttle until it starts. Sometimes nearly to the floor.

[dave2878]

I presume you replaced like for like on the spark plugs and set the correct gaps (no gap adjustment on triple electrode type though)
Also, did you put the new fuel filter in the right way round? - should have an arrow for direction of flow.
You could try putting the old ones back on if you haven't binned them.

When I said I had to give some throttle, I mean that I turn the engine over on the starter and give more and more throttle until it starts. Sometimes nearly to the floor.

yeah same plugs . and fuel filter is on the right way . notices corroded wires coming from alternator so i have got a replacement for the wires. will have a better look at van the morrow , will check the earths also , fingers crossed it is something simple

[a1winchester]

I just happened to be looking in the VW Owner's Manual, and there's a paragraph on starting a warm or hot engine.
It says 'Depress pedal slowly while operating starter and hold it in the Full Throttle position. - do not pump the pedal. Release the pedal as soon as the engine starts.'
That pretty much describes what I have to do if the engine is warm. Not always, but occasionally. It sometimes needs this after I have stopped to fill up with fuel.

[dave2878]

Funnily enough I was looking at that myself. I tried that and it was no different. Had the van for a couple of years now and I need to hold accelerator down for it start , not sure why. Doing the alternator wire today as it was slightly corroded. Dont think that is the problem though as battery seems ok when I check it.
It laboured to start from cold today . Then once I had driven it for half an hour I wouldn't fire up again. . Was meant to be going to arran on Monday for a couple of days , don't think that's going to happen now. Thanks for the advice I appreciate it

[dave2878]

my dad done the alternator wire today, took it for a half an hour drive to get it warmed up. parked in drive then waited five mins to start it up. it laboured a bit then finally started, waited half an hour then went and did it again this time it would not start. .. left it for another five mins tried again this time it did not even turn over , nothing happened whatsoever, lights are still working battery if fine ,

[a1winchester]

When you say it's labouring to start, do you mean the engine struggles to turn over, or do you mean it won't fire?
If it's the former, it could be the battery or the starter or an earth problem. Use the wiki above for solutions to these. The battery can be charged enough for lights but not for the starter. Put a volt meter on and check the charge. If it's an old battery, probably worth changing anyway. If it's new, then it may be an alternator problem.

[dave2878]

Yeah. it wont fire when its cold. I have checked and cleaned the earths. Checked the battery and bought a new battery . I have checked the alterator and that seems to be working fine. Yesterday after a I took it a run it struggled to fire then waited twenty mins and tried again. This time it done nothing. I put the key in ignition and turned it and it didn't turn over or anything. Checked the battery and it was ok so I am going to have to look at starter motor.

[CovKid]

I think a little focus is needed. Firing and turning over are different things. Have you got underneath and checked the smaller trigger wire on starter? Those starters are exposed to the elements and corrosion can create real problems. Trigger wire particularly is a known, common problem. The other is the braided wire between solenoid and starter body.

Disconnect battery and get the starter motor off. Pics will help no end here. Most faulty starters can easily be put right but you do need to get it off.

[dave2878]

yes checked the wire underneath, the main one had came loose so tightened it on and van started from cold no bother, took the van for a run, maybe about half an hour or so. left the van again for 20 mins and tried to start it. you can hear it trying to start but it wont quite get there,
noticed the earth from the battery is also hot and so is the starter motor. is this normal..
i am have wee fella the morro so my dad is going to take the starter motor out for me
what is most annoying is how it starts so easily from cold and wont from hot

[CovKid]

Starter motor bush? Binds when hot? Could be.

[dave2878]

starter is coming out in the morning weather permitting. i have a starter bush for it already. will need to inspect the wiring as i have noticed a few connections are a bit rough looking,
would the earth strap at battery be getting hot for any reason and would this affect the starting