Can't start, won't start...

[jed1y0da]

Hi, went to start the beast this morning and it just turns over and over and over... its parked facing up a hill (not a steep one). Its started right on the money every time in the 2+ years i've had it so i can only think it could be:

fuel pump
ECU ( a couple of days ago i started it and it was really, really lumpy so turned it off, waited a few secs and it started fine)
some crud in the fuel lines
Immobiliser - i have one of those god awful sterling ones that you need the transmitter on the keyring to start it. Only problem is the immobiliser prevents you from even turning it over so i don't think its that.
glowplugs

Gonna call the AA tomorrow morning, but any pointers would be much appreciated

[wonkanoby]

how much fuel in tank

[Northern Bongolow]

any evidence of a fuel leak on the pump,if so, it could allow air into the pump and allow the fuel to return to the tank.

[jed1y0da]

any evidence of a fuel leak on the pump,if so, it could allow air into the pump and allow the fuel to return to the tank.

I had a quick look this morning and couldn't see a leak. Checked the fuel level and its half full...

UPDATE - forgot to mention when i tried to strt it this morning it ran for about 2 seconds and then died.

[Northern Bongolow]

crack an injector pipe while someone else turns the key,prob find there is no fuel there as the fuel has drained, running for a short while, is just emptying the bit in the pump maybe.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Definitely with Ady on that one...If you have time, try replacing the fuel hose, It's not a hard job, and I'll wager there's a wee crack from age..I think it's possible that there will be a spate of these coming up with the age of the Bongos, and the hose should be replaced every so often as a routine maintenance item, anyway.
Cheers
Helen

[flossie]

Im no expert (as youve all figured) but someone got me to run mine with the fuel cap off - not sure what it does (clear air from pipe perhaps?) but it worked when it was running lumpy ... i know yours is hardly kicking in but is a free and easy thing to try .... if it works someone else will have to tell you what you need to do though

[rita]

Sounds like glow plugs problem..

[gmaczbongo]

solenoid would cause this problem.

[Northern Bongolow]

Sounds like glow plugs problem..

i was going to suggest this as a second guess

[MAZABON]

sounds exactly like the problem i once had with my previous bongo.

overnight parked facing very slightly down hill, starts no problem at all.

park up at work facing very slightly uphill and left all day, would take ages to start up and run a bit lumpy for about 20secs.

eventually i found a slight wetness at the back of the fuel pump, there were no other signs of a leak.

i changed the "o" ring at the back of the pump ( the hand shredder one ! ) and it was sorted no more starting issues.

[Dave.]

solenoid would cause this problem.

My money is on this 100%

the little wire might have worked loose

[jed1y0da]

Update: got the AA round and they managed to get it going - used a pump to force fuel into the fuel pump as there was no fuel in the filter or connecting hoses. Took to my local garage who had it up on the ramps all day, but they couldn't find a leak as such and suggested replacing the hoses and maybe some of the seals on the pump - which sounds like a logical plan.
Couple of questions:
How easy is it to replace the hoses myself? I have access to a drive with an inspection pit and am a 'sunday' tinkerer so it doesn't seem like a complicated job??
is the system a high or low pressure system? ( I think its low as if it was a high pressure system then a fuel leak would be more apparent)
Does anyone know if the bongo fuel pumps are easy to recondition?

sorry for all the qu's

[fatcatlawyer]

see my post in fuel and performance.
ian G

[jed1y0da]

Update 2: wouldn't start again today so performed diagnostics 101 (ie wigglin all the pipes) and found the return pipe was boned). So i chopped of the end and put a new clip on and hey presto - problem solved : )

Lessons learned? - wiggle, poke and prod all the associated bits : )