N/A Diesel Non start

[mbellinger]

Greetings folks. I have only just found this fantastic resource following a recommendation from a fellow member of the Triumph Dolomite Club, and I hope that you can help me out as I am becoming increasingly desperate and crazed.

First, some background.

I have recently acquired a 1983 T25 Camper with the normally aspirated 1600 diesel engine. The vehicle has 92,000 recorded miles. One of the main things that attracted me to this particular van was the fact that in April 07 at 90,400 miles it had a replacement head gasket, new glow pugs, timing belt and all the head bolts were replaced. The head was professionally re-torqued in Sept 2007 at 91,100 miles.

I picked the van up in Bedford (I live in Surrey) and had a perfect (if slow) journey home, cruising at 55mph. The van ran beautifully. That was in early October. It has continued to run well. It is an occasional vehicle but I have always ensured that I use it at least once a week to keep things turning over and keep the battery juiced up.

Since October it has done numerous short trips and a weekend away to the coast with my kids. At all times it has performed faultlessly. Until three weeks ago.....

I took my kids over to my parents house in the van (about a 40 minute run, mix of A and B roads). No problems. On the way home we decided to stop for something to eat at a restaurant. When we came out the van turned over enthusiastically, but would not start. By now it was dark (and raining) and the kids were late and I was having a bit of a sense of humour failure. It kept "trying" to catch, and almost did several times, with the occasional puff of (black) smoke from the exhaust.

Anyway, after about half an hour of trying, and with the (previously robust) battery on its last legs it suddenly caught, and then ran perfectly home. I had no time or inclination to examine the van then (it was a wet and pitch dark Sunday night and I had to get the kids back to my ex-wife). However the next weekend, I charged the battery fully and went to it.

Exactly the same thing happens - it turns and turns, frustratingly almost catching myriad times but just will not start. There is plenty of new diesel in the tank and the starter and battery are strong, but it don't go.

Suggestions where to go anyone before the petrol can and lighter come out????

[Kermit]

Ok, Back to basics first ..

Did you pull the cold start handle out on the dash? this advances the timing to aid starting ...

If the top end has been rebuilt, has the pump timing been set-up correctly, along with the valve clearance?

Kerr

[Other-Power]

It kept "trying" to catch, and almost did several times, with the occasional puff of (black) smoke from the exhaust.

Sounds like fuel starvation!

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed?

Jon

[Rozzo]

i'd say fuel filter too, had a peugot car that did exactly the same

[Andy Wardle]

Mine did this. Turned out to be a wire from the solenoid which was split but still hanging together by a tiny thread. Could be any of the above but if it's been running fine in the mean time, might not be fuel starvation as you would get lumpy running or a judder!?! Start with the simple, silly things first and dig deeper if needs be.

[Louey]

if the battery is enthusiastic and the engine is turning well but not starting then I would say the battery is good. I would suspect fuel. Check all of the fuel lines in the engine bay for leaks an replace if looking worn or suspect. Get a multimeter and check the fuel cut off solenoid on the pump with the ignition on to see if enough power is getting there - I think it should read 12v. Also, get someone to to turn the ignition on and check that the solenoid clicks in the engine bay. if you have clear fuel pipe look for bubbles from the filter to the injector pump - if there are lots and they won't bleed by using the primer pump (if it has one) then suspect the fuel filter - change it.

If it doesn't start after that then crack open the tops on the injector pipes (17mm open spanner) then turn the engine over and then close the nuts back up and then try starting the engine.
Some good starters here.

[mbellinger]

Thanks guys.

Been at it again this morning - like you I suspect fuel side.

Starter turns well and sounds strong. Have a test lamp at the glow plugs and buzz bar. Air filter clean and unobstructed.

Am trying to start with and without cold start knob out. Note that when I got van it NEVER needed cold start control even from stone cold - indeed would not start with control pulled out - could this point to fuel pump/throttle body not being timed correctly when head was off??? If so, why would it have worked fine for a while? (Previous owner used the vehicle every day as it was his only car).

Don't know age of fuel filter but it "looks" old. That said I have removed the fuel pipe at the injector throttle body/pump unit and can suck diesel through the filter with my mouth - have had several draughts to prove it!

Picking up a new filter tomorrow morning but meantime any other views?

[Louey]

try it bypassing the filter for today and see if it works - some will condemn that tip but if you get a new filter tomorrow then I wouldn't worry for a day

[ringo]

Mine did this - very annoying it is too.

What was happening on mine was that there was an air leak in the fuel system (it was a plastic part on the return section of the fuel filter i think). I had to bleed the system to start it every time i stopped for longer than 12 hours! It was fixed by changing the filter....

There was a good tip about checking you have 12v to the fuel cutoff solenoid - have you checked that?

Welcome to the club btw!

Ringo

[mbellinger]

Its too dark now to carry on buggering about.

Still no joy.

Removed the injector caps as advised and turned her over a few times. The nozzles were wet with fuel but it wasn't exactly gushing out.

I will resume hostilities tomorrow once I have the new filter.

Whereabouts is this fuel cut off solenoid located?

Thank you all for your help.

[ringo]

There should be a wire going to the injector pump - this is the wire that controls the fuel cuttoff solenoid. Its generally behind the injector pipes...

HTH's

Ringo

[Louey]

the fuel cut off solenoid is on the back of the injector pump - it should hopefully have a wire connected via a spade connector on it

["WEAZLECHIN"]

there might be a very tiny air leak along the fuel line which allows the fuel to drain away when the pump isnt in use, then when you turn the motor over it has to fill the filter again. i had this with a merc, so i replaced the entire fuel line and put a non standard filter in line.... cost only pennies and cured it.

[Louey]

for what it costs it worth just stripping out the fuel line before the pump and replacing it all.

My van wouldn't start on xmas eve - mine was a knackered battery(due to an electrical problem a few weeks ago) AND part of the fuel pipe before the pump had a tiny leak. A check I did was to loosen the drainage tap on the bottom of the filter, if it air escapes (you'll hear it) then suspect fuel pipe air leak.

Let us know how you get on

[mbellinger]

Okay guys an update.

Fuel filter removed and changed for new - no air heard escaping.

Glow plugs removed - two clearly new (the easy to get at ones) two not - though the PO had been charged for four plugs!!

Changed the two older plugs for brand new.

No change - still the same - turns over and will not start - having to be careful as beginning to get acrid smoke and smells from starter motor from repeated trying.

I have an electrical connection on the top rear of the pump with two black wires to it - I assume that this is the cut off solenoid as I can see no other wires to the fuel pump unit. I have 11.9 volts on my meter at this switch with ignition on.

I only have a reading across the glow plugs and buzz bar whilst the glow plug lamp is on, i.e., for about five seconds then nothing - is this relay controlled???

Still the same thing - lots of turning over the occasional puff of smoke, and nowt else.

I now HATE this van.