It seems like it was the old battery after all, as the new one has been on for almost a month and the van still starts perfectly every time and it isn't losing any charge. I'm never complacent about something like this as I know there could still be something not 100% in the system, but hopefully ...

Thanks Rita - I hadn't thought of this as being a potential fuel system problem as it sounds more power related when trying to start, but I'll consider anything fair game just now.

I've also picked up a new battery, just in case it is something as simple as that and I'll see how it goes...

Did this get solved? We have had someone on the phone with an identical problem with their diesel Bongo, engine difficult to start when warm after a 2 hour drive. Interestingly he said that it eventually started again after 10 minutes when he played around with the auto-shift.

Sorry for the delay ...

Thanks for the suggestions - you've all been a great help.

Years ago a neighbour had a Mk.1 Escort with solenoid problems and I remember having to give him a push to bump start it. Not an option in the Bongo, but the problem sounds very similar to the one I've got. I'll have a go at the basic ...

I certainly hope we're not in head gasket territory, but I'll give my mechanic a call and run that past him. There's certainly no loss of coolant.

I don't think he was able to reproduce the problem at its worst - he had some sluggish starts, but not a total refusal. I tried it this evening (not ...

I agree, the hot start being a problem really doesn't seem right. Earlier in the year I had driven for about 3.5 hours with one stop about half way and starting up was slightly slow, but not too bad. I then stopped for fuel and that's when there was total refusal to start - just as if that battery ...

Thanks for the quick replies.

My mechanic checked out as much of the electrical system as he could and the starter - he said all the connections were good, but I'm not sure if he'll have cleaned and tightened the battery and earth connections, so I'll give those a try. Just been out to try it and ...

Our 1995 2.5TD has developed a starting problem over the past year or so and like all the best tech problems, it is intermittent so hard to reproduce when you need to although he did it right on cue today.

He starts fine when you first go to him and runs beautifully but after driving for even 15 ...