However, a few hours after we'd arrived I tried to fire up the engine to pop up the roof for my nephews to see and things were not good.
(Please bear in mind I'm not a mechanical bod and don't know all the correct terminology.) I turned the key and waited for the glow plug light to go out, then turned it round to fire up. It was turning over but not firing. I tried a few times, keeping the key turned right round and eventually it caught and fired, but not without a cloud of black exhaust. It ran then but very sluggishly and wouldn't 'pick up' power for ages. Then it was like something cleared and the revs picked up - all was back to normal.
The next morning I tried starting from cold and it was fine. No problems. It started with the first turn of the key and ran perfectly well. I thought this meant all was OK so drove to the next town and took the kids to the cinema (typical UK summer weather). When we came out a couple of hours later the same thing happened again. Coughing and spluttering and not firing without holding the key over for ages, then hardly any power 'til whatever it is cleared.
I'm not even going to begin to guess what the problem is or pretend I could fix it. Am I doing untold damage by starting it like this? Do I need to get it into a garage and sorted quick-sharp? Is it going to cost me and arm and a leg to fix? I've found a garage on the recommened list in Totnes which is the nearest one to where I'm staying. Should I just try and get it in there and get it fixed?
Please HELLLPPPPP!!!!!!
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