trouble starting the bus

[shakey]

Hi, trouble starting the syncro(has 2.1 dj injected block with mv management), fires up first time everytime normally and three days ago after overnight lay up i nearly drained the battery to start it, the van is a bit lacking in power for first minute in 1st ,2nd gears then runs sweetly. Once its been run it starts first time when engine is warm but leave it longer than 2-3 hours and its a struggle again. I have been trying not to flood the engine and leaving gaps between trying but i am struggling to figure out the problem. Is this an air intake problem on start?, coil?
cheers

[wbxr6 Dave]

Shakey,

Your not the only one. I think it is down to the cold turning the oil thicker, all 3 of our cars (Type 2 Bay, Syncro & Astra coupe - Hand Brake froze on other day took 5 miles before it released) have had problems starting these last few days, Astra I had to wait till 10 am till the sun got on it (just would not catch on start). I have laced the Syncro & T2 Bay with loads of WD40 over the plugs and leads and it seems to help, both reluctantly came to life this morning. Also both bus's have needed new battery's this year - cold keeps killing them, bought heavy duty ones this time.

Hope this helps and all the best with starting.

Dave

[shakey]

Thanks Dave, but why did the syncro start and drive perfectly through all that pre xmas snow, not to cold down here and it has never behaved like this in previous winters.

[wbxr6 Dave]

Shakey

Sorry no answer to that one, last two weeks my Syncro has been a right pain in the a*** involving a trip to Halfords for a new battery, the big boxer lump in the back sucks so much battery to get it running - WD40 on the plugs made a big difference, new battery solved the issue overall for me, the original one must have been quite old. Coupe sat for 3 days while I used Syncro over Christmas for the snow and ice here in the midlands and just would not run this morning, till it had basked in the sun, not down to battery just would not catch.
When I was in Canada, they told me at -20 the oil actually freezes in the sump, hence they have oil pan heaters that run off the mains for keeping it from freezing. I know we haven't had it that cold, but I imagine that the combination of stodgy oil, big boxer engines and condensation in the engine bay as well as the cold is giving us the difficulties, however I am no expert. Give the plugs a blast of WD and see how you go - Good Luck and hope thats all it is.

Dave

[mot falia]

Hi is the engine ok to start when hot? if so it sounds like one one of your tempreture senders near the thermostat, i had problems like that a bitch to start when cold ok when warm would run like a watch try taking the plug off and trying it when cold

[shakey]

Hi, problem solved, it was the temp 2 sender at fault. Will get one ordered today through brickwerks, thanks for the help.

[torchy]

Shakey,

Your not the only one. I think it is down to the cold turning the oil thicker, all 3 of our cars (Type 2 Bay, Syncro & Astra coupe - Hand Brake froze on other day took 5 miles before it released) have had problems starting these last few days, Astra I had to wait till 10 am till the sun got on it (just would not catch on start). I have laced the Syncro & T2 Bay with loads of WD40 over the plugs and leads and it seems to help, both reluctantly came to life this morning. Also both bus's have needed new battery's this year - cold keeps killing them, bought heavy duty ones this time.

Hope this helps and all the best with starting.

Dave

I run my 2.1 MV on MOBIL 1 Fully Synthetic. I used to work for Mobil Oil and still swear by it. Damn expensive but it really is the best oil for all conditions. Also I leave my handbrake off and out of gear during the week. Can somtimes be three week ends before I move it/start it. I once had some drums seize on the after the hand brake had been left on for a few months. Pig of a job to release but learnt a lesson!