Intermittent Starting Problems

[Bonnie]

Hello all,

I hope that you can help me find the cause of an intermittent starting problem with my 1997 TD bongo. I turn on the ignition and always wait for the glow plugs lamp to go out before starting. I have checked the fusible link beneath the starting battery and that is good. How ever some times she starts first time no problems and other times she needs a prolonged period of cranking to get her running. This seems to be the case no matter if she is hot or from cold and it makes no difference what the out side air temperature is. This makes me think my glow plugs are not the cause. Or am I wrong? Looking forward to your thoughts and advice.

Thanks Bonnie.

[westonwarrior]

could be air in the fuel system so the fuel is draining back so needs some cranking to re prime it?

[Bonnie]

Hi Westonwarrior. So how should I diagnose the air in the fuel? This sounds more like the source than glow plugs. I have had this problem now for a couple of months and I just wonder if air is getting in where it might be and why only sometimes?

[jaylee]

Might be a silly reply on my part... & bearing in mind your other post Bonnie.. http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=48168 If air is in the fuel system there may be a fuel leak?? (In reply to the other topic.. You sure it's coolant?)

[westonwarrior]

I am no expert.
just an idea from memory but jaylee could be correct the fuel pump seals have been known to leak giving both symptoms

put your location in your profile and some local knowledge may be forthcomming

[Bonnie]

Thanks for your thoughts. When I first bought her I took her in to be serviced and the engineer mentioned that he thought there may have been a slight fuel leak. I was having a close look at the fuel pump today and wiped off some oil but could not see any diesel. Can anyone advise on how to find the leak or where they normally leak form?

Cheers

[wonkanoby]

there is a dome shaped bit on the outside of pump

and a flat plate opposite it its very hard to see

they tend to leak there

but also from rear and in some cases a front seal were it bolts in and is driven

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =pump+leak

[Bonnie]

Right I've checked the fuel pump and I cannot see feel or even smell diesel so I am not sure what to think now. Could it be a glow plug failure?

Thanks for all your replies and to the post about the fuel pump seals.

Bonnie

[wonkanoby]

its the first thing i would change if it were me

[fatcatlawyer]

Remember it does not have to leak fuel to allow air in. The front seal on my fuel pump had a hole in it and that gave rise to starting problems. If you search for my post earlier on the same subject you will see the efforts I made to overcome the problem. Putting in an inline electric fuel pump kept me on the road till I could get the diesel fuel pump seal sorted.
ian G