Non Starting Engine

[J188]

Hi,

My van has been playing up abit and has decided not to start...The van is a 1.9 watercooled Petrol engine 1983. I'll try and explain what the problem is the best I can. The van was not running very well, back firing and cutting out so I took it to a mechanic who cleaned the carb and got the van running well. All was well until a few days later when I started the van and it was very lumpy and had very little power, so I took it back to the mechanic he adjusted something think it was the timing and all was well again...
I have been driving around for another week or so and the van started to start and idling lumpy again but still started and ran. I went to start the van this afternoon no joy, very slow turn over and it did start ran a few cycles and then cut out. It seems as though it is starting but is being starved of petrol....
I have a look on here and have read about air blocks and rubbish in the carb etc. It just seems odd that the van was running ok and has slowly deteriorated only to be sorted again but now seems to have deteriorated to the point of not starting.
Is there somewhere I can start to look as at the moment the only thing I cant think it being is a naff battery (fully charged relitivly new) or starter as it it does turn over runs a few bumbles then cuts out, such as fuel pump on it last legs or the tank is rotten and it keeps draggin stuff into the fuel system ?

Thanks

[ermie571]

Hi mate,

have you checked the filter / pump?

Follow the fuel line from the tank. behind the driver wheelarch you should find the first and only fuel filter. It should be clear....if its deep brown its full of rusty bits. Easy to change. Carry on down the fulel line, and make sure there isn't a further filter in the engine bay.(some people add them....but the pump isn't designed to pull through more than one filter)

Look at your fuel pump....should have one line coming in, one going out to carb. You can pull off the line to the carb....crank it....see if it squirts petrol.

There is a couple of basic tests you can do to eleiminate fuel getting to the carb. If you are getting fuel there....you can go to the next step and see if the carb has a load of dirt in it....but there are decent threads on this, and the internal filter in the carb.....so I will let you search that and get better info than I can give.

get the basics sorted /checked and report back....then the knowledgable chaps / chapesses will be able to help you in more detail.

Regards

Em
x

[J188]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, the fuel filter behind the tank is new and no rust and the like in it, and there is another in the engine which is clean too, i'll try what you said tomorrow when it's light to see if the fuel is getting pumped through at all

[boatdog]

have you checked the dizzy is tight, might have rotated round and put your ignition timing out

[smallwheelsgood]

Hi
I have a 1983 petrol, owned since December last year. Just want to clarify what Em said above about there only being one filter in the fuel line - mine has two additional filters either side of the pump, fitted by the previous owner. Any opinions as to whether I should revert to the one single at the tank? Incidently I had a 2 month old GSF fuel pump fail last week, I wonder if there may be a connection?
Thanks

[ermie571]

Hi mate,

as far as I am aware, the only advice that I have received from those more technically minded on here is that there should be one and one only on my petrol fuel motors. It is just along from the tank by the wheel arch. This is because, so I am told, the ORIGINAL MECHANICAL pump isn't designed to try and drag petrol through more than one pump. I don't know if the electric pump or diesel is different, sorry.

But please feel free to search for fuel filter.

Em
x

[Mushr00m]

If it were me, I'd remove all the filters on your fuel line & replace
them with ONE new in-line filter. I'd also be seriously considering
removing the fuel tank & giving it a good flush out as well.

It certainly sounds like you've got some crap in the fuel system &
having more than one filter ain't going to help matters.

Hope this helps.

[smallwheelsgood]

Many thanks for the response, one new filter to go in by the tank, remainder can come out and be kept as spares. New Goodyear hose all round to go on as well (when it stops raining).
Thanks again.

[J188]

Seems like we're both waiting for better weather to have a go at fixing the problems

[CovKid]

And don't forget the hidden cone filter on the fuel inlet for carb. This is why you only need one filter on the line. Any more just complicates matters and achieves nothing.

[clartsonly]

have you checked the dizzy is tight, might have rotated round and put your ignition timing out

that is exactly what I was going to say, especially as it was running fine then the mechanic adjusted the timing.?