Club 80-90 Forums

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

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

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?

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.

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.

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

And how long is 'neglected for some time' ?

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.

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

Squirt Easystart here...





Check you have fuel here....

Luckily have Haynes manual.
More than a few years untouched. Embarrassingly.

Wow! Thanks for the diagrams.
I’m near High Wycombe.

That's bad timing. I was in Aylesbury a week ago.

Yeah that’s unfortunate.
Let me know when you’re down this way again. I’d like to pick your brain and expertise.

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.

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