V6 petrol not starting

[Stephen12]

Hi there

I recently purchased a V6 Bongo.
When the weather is cold or damp/wet the engine won't start. I've fitted a new battery so it's definitely not that. The engine starts and runs fine on a nice warm dry day. Can anyone help me out here? I'm planning on going away for the weekend in it but can't have this happening.
Thanks in advance

Steve

[g8dhe]

Sounds like distributor or HT leads, lift both front seats, you'll find the distributor front of engine on the passenger side, with 7 HT leads, give each one a clean with a rag and then spray with WD40 along its entire length and also remove each lead from the sparkplug and check that the sparkplug well is clean and not filled with oil or anything. finally give the distributor a good spray of WD40.

[Stephen12]

Hi Geoff

Thanks very much for the quick reply. I'll try and get that done today or tomorrow and hopefully that sorts it. Will keep you updated. Thanks.

[Stephen12]

Hi

I noticed that's there is oil in some of the spark plugs. Obviously I can take them out and clean or replace them but what is causing the oil to get in there? Thanks

[g8dhe]

The cylinder head cover is possibly loose, I had this a while ago after a service the cover bolts had been put back in finger tight only and had never been tightened up! Fortunately we were down on Dartmoor and popped into Allans in Plymouth who once the engine had cooled a bit removed half of them by finger tips alone! Not a major problem just annoying as it can damage the HT leads if left in that condition for any length of time, which is what caused us to call at Allans as we were beginning to suffer power loss due to misfiring.

[Stephen12]

Hi Geoff

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I'm thinking it must be that as there is oil on the outside of the rocker cover. My neighbour is servicing it tomorrow so will ask him to try and get it sorted. Hopefully it won't be too expensive. I'm eager to get away for the weekend but want to get everything sorted first.

Thanks

[Billybongo123]

They will come off, clean and re seal without removing inlet manifold. They are a bit fiddly but I've done none and its sound now.

[Stephen12]

Okay update on the situation.

Fitted new spark plugs on Thursday and it started fine. It also started fine yesterday afternoon. Then go to start it this morning and not starting again!! Waited till lunchtime and it started.

My mechanic doesn't think it can be the HT leads as it's not running lumpy or misfiring at all. We are both unsure what it is.

Please any help is much appreciated

Thanks

[g8dhe]

The starter is turning the engine over isn't it ?

[Stephen12]

Yeah the starter is turning over fine. It's just bizarre as when I go to start it in the morning it won't start.

[Billybongo123]

Fuel pump main relay, crank sensor signal okay etc?

[Stephen12]

I'm not sure about them. What's the best way to check all of these? Sorry I'm not the best when it comes to mechanics

[Billybongo123]

Okay, well maybe it's easier to check first for a good spark, when it's doing the fault.

Then go from there. It's either no spark or no fuel, so you need to ascertain which it is.

[Stephen12]

Okay will get it looked into. Was out all day in it and it ran fine. Definitely seems to be it's cold or damp/wet and particularly in the morning.
Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate it.

[Billybongo123]

No worries buddy. It will get sorted.