1.9dg - turns over but won’t start

[LaserFrennox]

Hi,

Recently took the plunge on an ‘85 caravelle as a good project. Had no issues starting up to get her into the garage to do other work and even got her out on a few shake down drives. All of a sudden I’m getting no start however.

Initially I suspected a flooded engine so took out the spark plugs, dried them out and went again but still no luck. Checked spark by grounding to the engine with no issue and fuel supply isn’t an issue either as there’s fuel coming through the intake when the throttle is pressed.

Any ideas as to what else the issue could be? Gonna try some easy start tomorrow incase it’s just running rich and is instantly wetting the spark plugs before it can get spark.

Cheers

[SurfT25]

Do you push the pedal to the metal and release before you turn ignition?
This is to open the choke and has been mentioned by many on this forum.
If still not starting check the leads, distributer isn't loose and moved, check inside dizzy and clean connections,coil etc.
Good luck

[Signchap]

I'm having the same problem. Mine failed to start 250 miles from home on day two of a holiday. 10 hours on a recovery truck, only for it to start first time the day after we got back. I'm going to replace all fuel lines, which I intended anyway, and the fuel pump, as well as distributor cap and rotor arm, plugs and leads. I suspect a weak fuel pump is to blame.

[TONYT25T25]

I wonder if this is E10 fuel gradually working its way through.

[Smiffo]

Not long after buying my van, I had a similar issue.
Fuel flowing, and spark, but no running.

Mine turned out to be the coil - it was producing a weak spark, but to my untrained eye, a spark was present.

Pop a couple of teaspoons of fresh fuel direct into the throat of the carb. If not joy, systematically work through ignition aspects?

[DoubleOSeven]

Take the earth strap off the gearbox and wire wheel it.

[LaserFrennox]

Thanks for all the replies!

Checked the connections to the dizzy and all my spark connections with no resounding results. A mention of a fuel pump did get me thinking however. The van is parked on my drive which is at quite a steep angle. Could the time it was spent on the drive have drained the fuel from the engine back into the tank? If his is the case, could the fuel pump be too weak to pull enough fuel back to the carb when it’s trying to fight against gravity?

I’m gonna get a friend to give me a hand towing the van onto the fairly level road and see how I get on. A new fuel pump and lines may well be in this vans future.

Again, I appreciate all the responses.

[jrt]

Did you get any joy putting a capful of fuel directly into the carb?
David.

[Smiffo]

Thanks for all the replies!

Checked the connections to the dizzy and all my spark connections with no resounding results. A mention of a fuel pump did get me thinking however. The van is parked on my drive which is at quite a steep angle. Could the time it was spent on the drive have drained the fuel from the engine back into the tank? If his is the case, could the fuel pump be too weak to pull enough fuel back to the carb when it’s trying to fight against gravity?

I’m gonna get a friend to give me a hand towing the van onto the fairly level road and see how I get on. A new fuel pump and lines may well be in this vans future.

Again, I appreciate all the responses.

Yes. If mine is stood for a week, the fuel runs back to the tank, and it takes a few turns to pull it back.
Pop some fuel directly into the carb. If it fires, you know it's a fuel related issue.
 

[LaserFrennox]

Did you get any joy putting a capful of fuel directly into the carb?
David.

Yeah tried that this morning with no luck. Any recommendations on fuel pumps? I know it’s sacrilege to suggest an electric fuel pump but for where this van is going to go, I need reliability.

[jrt]

If it’s not firing with some fuel down the carb then you need to look at the electrical side.
David.

[DoubleOSeven]

Take the outlet pipe of the fuel pump off and crank the engine. If fuel comes out, the pump is ok & then you know it’s carb related….and I’m only mentioning this because I’ve done it, does it have any fuel in the fuel tank?

[silverbullet]

You can't beat a new mechanical pump. The valves wear out and leak back making starting ( filling the carb float bowl) difficult. Dont believe the pushrod length tales, it makes so little difference unless your pump is already marginal.