Bongo Fury

She wont start.
I turn the key you hear the starter motor, but it doesn't fire up.

It cant be the glow plugs I had new ones put in about three months ago.

Any ideas before I call out RAC

IF ITS JUST CLICKING WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT ,THEN IT MAY BE YOUR STARTERMOTOR. i know its a dumb question but do you have an immobiliser and is it switched off.
also the bongo engine takes a lot out of a battery you only get a few goes at starting it before it loses power.

Hi Dave,

The starter Motor is working.
As far as I am aware it does not have an imobiliser. ( I should paid more attention during English lessons)

Not teaching you to suck eggs but ensure you have fuel of the correct type and not a dodgy gauge initially. Is the starter turning the engine over or just spinning itself? i.e does it sound as though it is under a load?

There are a few basic needs of an engine to fire up.

If its turning over, thats a good start.

Next would be ignition. You seem to have that one covered.

Then fuel.

Fuel starvation would be a fair bet at the moment.

Is this a sudden occurrence or has this been a slowly generating problem, been a bit sluggish off the key of late etc.?

Blocked fuel filter or something just as straightforward is worth looking into.

Best of luck, keep posting.

Are you getting voltage at the glowplugs? could be the relay, could even be crap glowplugs prematurely failed? Are you using veg oil, too high a mix maybe if you are? Check the fuel is getting through, is the banjo filter clear? when was the fuel filter last changed?

When you say you hear the starter motor do you mean, You hear it turn over the engine, or you hear it click?

If it clicks it may need a re-charge on the battery.

If its turning over but not starting I would look at all the areas that they would of touched to do the glow plug change as a wire could of been knocked loose etc.

Many of these are called DAMHIKIJKOK, http://www.andyc.mine.nu/ixies/damindex.htm

o.k here goes.

I can hear the starter motor trying to start the engine.
I know there is enough fuel Diesel.
It was fine on Tuesday.
I think I will have to call out the RAC on Sunday, I will keep you all posted.

Thanks for all your replys.

Rac Man here at the moment trying to sort it out, so fingers crossed.

Rac man has been and gone. He says there is no power getting to the plugs. He reckons it might be a solenoid.
Any ideas?

There's a relay to the left of the battery, with what looks like a polythene cover - this is the glow plug relay and you should hear it click when the ignition is turned on.

I hear a click when the ignition turns. It is starting at the moment. I don't know if this is just because the Rac Man Jump started the engine and the engine is still warm. Or the problem is solved.

Sounds like the relay could be on its way, oxidised contacts maybe? You may be lucky & it's sorted itself, but I'd familiarise yourself with where the relay is & check it's not got damp & all the connections are tight. If it happens again, try thumping it. You may be able to open up the relay & clean off the contacts with some fine emery cloth. I used to spend many an hour sorting out relays when no spares are available in the middle of the ocean

Hi Kirsty, Is the relay covered with clear plastic and about 4cm x 6cm If it is . It looks like water has got in. Must have happenend with all this raining we have been having. I think I m going to enrol in a vehicle maintance course at my local college

Yes it is - see my post above re polythene cover.