Non starter

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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chayhobson
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Non starter

Post by chayhobson » Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:47 pm

So....
I bought my Bongo and she ran fairly well. I had new glow plugs fitted and she ran great. A smell of diesel developed and so my garage changed the leak off branch and copper washers. This was great for a week then it just wouldn’t start. They then noticed the branch was shorting the glow plug bar and so bent it away and fitted a new thermal fuse. This was great for a week and now the van won’t start unless you use easy start. When you shut the van off and leave it for more than 30 minutes it won’t start again.
It’s been suggested that it may be diesel running back to the tank and so they fitted a non return valve on the lower pipe to the left of the filter.
Has anyone had any luck with fitting primers and non return valves?
Any other ideas what it might be?
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g8dhe
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Re: Non starter

Post by g8dhe » Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:20 pm

Have you checked that there is still power getting to the glowplugs since the last repair ?
How old are the glowplugs, they are a maintenance item and do need changing every few years ?
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
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chayhobson
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Re: Non starter

Post by chayhobson » Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:56 pm

Hi, the glow plugs were changed 3 weeks ago and they checked that power was getting to them. The van doesn’t start when hot.
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Re: Non starter

Post by Bongolia » Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:21 pm

So it starts OK from cold but not after it has reached working temperature?
chayhobson
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Re: Non starter

Post by chayhobson » Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:33 pm

No, it doesn’t start without easy start. The only time it starts without is within 15 minutes of shutting it off. Any longer and it doesn’t start. It was parked on a hill for a while just before all this started.
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g8dhe
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Re: Non starter

Post by g8dhe » Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:39 pm

Maybe a bit simplistic here, but given that the EasyStart is being sucked in with the air, then that would indicate to me that the air side of things is working OK. With a diesel that then only leaves fuel, unless compression was significantly down on all cylinders at the same time. So I would concentrate on the fuel side of things to start with. Could the non-return valve be causing fuel flow problems ?
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
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chayhobson
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Re: Non starter

Post by chayhobson » Fri Mar 27, 2020 7:48 am

Thanks, really appreciate this!
The valve was fitted after the problem. It’s sucking air no problem. I’ve ordered a primer bulb but not sure where to fit it. I’m an engineer but know little about Diesel engines.
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Re: Non starter

Post by Bongolia » Fri Mar 27, 2020 10:20 pm

To verify fuel delivery when its cold or non start slacken the union at an injector and crank it over if you have a healthy squirt then you have fuel if its a dribble then you may have pump issues.
Be careful and mind your eyes when you slacken the union as the fuel should be under high pressure I cover them with a piece of cloth
Although fitting a bulb may help it would be better to have it sorted properly.
I would suggest having a look for a diesel specialist in your area might save a lot of grief in the long run.
Good luck.
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