Bongo sometimes does not fire up V6

[Luke and Debs]

Ok this happened twice now.

About 2 months ago bongo would turn over but not fire up. Tried several times and just would not fire up. Turns over but no fire. Mechanic came round two days later and started fine.

Then yesterday same thing although semi firing up. Tried for 10mins to get going. As away we called out recover to try and get going but after.after 20 mins before they turned up I thought I would try it and fired up first time no issues.

We think it could be battery as original jap battery but if this was the case would not even turn engine over would it.

We think it could be the spark plugs as sounds like it is just not firing up.

Mechanic thinks could be this as well and will look at this first but have any of you had this or got any ideas

Thanks Luke

[Bob]

I'd agree if its turning over well its not the battery.

I'm sure someone had a similar problem recently and it was diagnosed on here, I just can't remember what it was.

[francophile1947]

What engine is it, 2litre or V6?

[g8dhe]

Might be the leads or distributor as much as the plugs, damp on the morning, which then dries out.

[Bob]

V6 - Bottom of signature.

[mikeonb4c]

Might be the leads or distributor as much as the plugs, damp on the morning, which then dries out.

That's where my first suspicions would lie. Has it ever been treated to new ht leads, distributor cap etc as if not the old girl might respond well to an ignition system overhaul.

Or you could get a diesel

[Luke and Debs]

Thanks for replies

V6 with lpg

We have looked at distributed cap before as had issues of cutting out when going through large puddles so might be worth looking at that. Looked OK and does not appear to have any ingress of water but might be worth changing that as well

Can I pick them up cheap

Cheers for replay

[Bob]

I seem to recal those with more technical know how recomend quality ignition parts for the V6.

How old is the petrol in the tank?

If you run mostly on LPG it may have gone 'Off'.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks for replies

V6 with lpg

We have looked at distributed cap before as had issues of cutting out when going through large puddles so might be worth looking at that. Looked OK and does not appear to have any ingress of water but might be worth changing that as well

Can I pick them up cheap

Cheers for replay

I'll let the lpg guys lead on this but I suppose lpg system might want checking also to make sure it's starting on petrol every time as it should? Is the starting problem when engine cold, or warm, or both?

[Luke and Debs]

Yes has only done this when cold. Also yes when firing up on petrol. Petrol should not have gone off as normally have quarter of a tank in there and top up every month or to so should not be a issue.

Don't think lpg is an issue

Cheers Luke

[mikeonb4c]

Yes has only done this when cold. Also yes when firing up on petrol. Petrol should not have gone off as normally have quarter of a tank in there and top up every month or to so should not be a issue.

Don't think lpg is an issue

Cheers Luke

There's no possibility it's trying to fire up from cold on lpg is there?

[mikeWalsall]

I have a LPG / V6 it starts instantly even if frozen over and not started for a week or more ..

The general opinion seems to be the ignition system needs to be in A1 condition

When I first had the LPG fitted I found in slow moving / town traffic and the engine was not fully warmed up .. when changing over to LPG the engine was a bit lumpy ..

Fitting new NGK5E -11 plugs (gap close down from 1.1mm to 1.0mm) new dizzy gap / rotor / plug leads cured the problem ..

I also have Flash lube fitted which injects Upper Cylinder lubricant into combustion chambers when running on either petrol or LPG .. which helps with internal fuel injector cleaning / lubrication ..

Or .. maybe putting some Redex in the petrol tank may help clean out the fuel system ..??

[Simon Jones]

You need to establish if it's spark or petrol that's missing. If the latter, the LPG ECU switches over to gas by breaking the circuit to the petrol injectors and then the unused fuel recirculates back into the tank via the return pipe. Consequently, it is possible (depending on how the ECU's fail-safe process has been designed) that if a fault developed or fuse blows that it will not be allowing ant petrol into the cylinders. If you were to remove the LPG ECU altogether it would have the same affect.

[Luke and Debs]

thanks all for the responses

when it happened on sunday it was already switched to petrol (just petrol) as that it what it was running on from when i stopped it on the drive.

lpg has just had service in december so happened in november and now end of december so dont think it is the lpg.

run flash lub as suggested in earlier post by mike.

think will start with the spark plugs and dis cap unless my mechanic comes up with another idea.

also dis cap might be issues with stalling when going through puddles so might be worth changing this anyway to rule that out.

cheers for all the helpful advise

[mikeWalsall]

There is a large 'O' ring located between the dizzy base and the cap .. make sure that is OK and seals well .. a smear of rubber proof grease may help. as it stops water condensation getting in the dizzy ..