Intermittent starting problem

[skyhigh123]

I have owned my 1996 diesel bongo since 2005 and have added 110,000 kms to the 60,000 on the clock when I bought it. It has been super reliable, always starting first time whatever the weather until earlier this year.

Now, twice this year (once this morning) it has refused to start, turning over healthily but so sign or sound of the engine starting. On the first occasion I called out the breakdown people who established that there was power to the glow plugs and then decided to get it going with a dose of "cold start". In fact, before the cold start was squirted in, I tried again and the engine started as normal. The mechanic suggested that the problem might be a sticking fuel cut off valve which had been freed when the front seat was lifted and dropped.

No problems for the next 5 or 6 weeks until this morning- exactly the same problem/symptoms. Power to the glow plugs all ok but no sign of starting. Following the previous experience I thought I would try tapping the fuel pump lightly with a hammer. Next attempt to start- success.

I assume the cut off valve is actuated by a solenoid and I discussed the problem with my local Bongo specialist. He was firmly of the opinion that my tapping the fuel pump and the engine starting were not related-just a coincidence.

I'm off to France in the Bongo for several months soon and would prefer to have the problem diagnosed and solved- not easy when the fault is now not evident.

Any suggestions as to what might be causing the problem, how to diagnose it and then to cure it.

[g8dhe]

Its been known for the wire to the cut-off solenoid to fracture as it enters, probably worth a close investigation
24-3002 is the part http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... o=.html#20