Club 80-90 Forums

Does anybody know of a mechanic or expert in my area who might be able to get my 1.6D (n/a) camper started? Or does anyone out there who knows T3 diesels fancy earning themselves a few quid? I live on the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire border, close to Hitchin and Stevenage.

Following a blown head gasket and various other problems, it's had over £1,000 spent on it this year to repair the engine, plus a further £700 on welding etc to get it through an MOT. So it's probably a good solid vehicle now. It runs lovely if you can get it started.

But it's had warm/hot starting problems ever since, and now the damn thing won't start at all even when cold. Going back to the garage is not an option, it spent about 3 months there in total and if they couldn't fix it then, I've no wish to waste more of my time and money with them.

I've read all the threads on here about starting problems on this engine and I'm pretty sure it's something to do with air in the system and/or the timing. But I don't have the expertise or the tools to take it apart myself.

Alternatively, if anyone has a tow truck and wants to take it off my hands, please contact me, because I've reached the end of my patience with this van and I don't want it on my drive any more, so would be more than happy to negotiate a sale!

I doubt if its timing .Check out to see if the black wire is connected to the back of the fuel pump.The glow plugs need volts to work see if the metal strip which is a fuse is okay.This is located in the little black box left hand side back of engine.Test the glow plugs as to gettting hot .Fuel filter fuel lines see that its getting diesel to the pump.Tappet clearances may be wrong these are adjusted by shims .

Hi, thanks for your reply. Not sure which black wire you mean, there are lots in there, nothing seems to be disconnected. That fuse is OK and I think the glow plugs are working because the light comes on and the van was starting when cold until recently.

The problem was only occurring when the engine was warm and the glow plugs didn't come on, so I tried that trick where you disconnect the wire from the heat sensor to make them come on cold every time you start up. Worked once or twice, but now it won't start at all.

No idea about Tappet clearances. What are shims?

Single black wire goes to the 12 volt spade connector to fuel solenoid on the back of the diesel fuel pump.Maybe it disconnected or faulty .You said it was difficult to start after repairs but run okay.Shims adjust clearances between cam and inlet&exhust valves .If incorrect can effect starting hot .You really need to see if each glow plug is working .The orange light is working from the temp senser off the cylinder head but has a relay and fuse to give volts to the copper connection on the glow plugs.Test to see if there is 12 volts on it when the orange light is on.Remove connection to the glow plugs remove plugs and test with 12 volts .Oh if you dont have 12 volts on the copper glow plug connection and the orange light is on.If the fuse is okay sounds like the relay has gone faulty.G.S.F supply them.

Adam
How did you get on with the contacts I gave you last night? Any help?
Do not give up yet, must be some deisel experts on here that can help.

Come on guys lets try and get Adam going again.

Hi Steve. I spoke to one of the guys you recommended and he was very helpful, gave a few suggestions. Eventually I contacted the garage who did all the work on it previously and explained the situation to them.

They came and towed it away, and a day later brought it back in working order! To be honest I don't think they did much other than spray that magic stuff they seem to like into the air filter and bump-start it while it was being towed, then charge the battery for a day!

I think one mistake I had been making was not letting then engine cool down on tick over for a couple of minutes before stopping it. It actually says you should do that in the original manual, so perhaps that may have contributed to my problem.

Anyway, it seems to be working now, but I still feel it's time to sell it. See my post in the For Sale section!

Many thanks for your help.