Bongo Fury

Hi all

I am having problems with my R Reg, 2L Petrol Freda. Basically, it was fine about 2 months ago when we drove it all over the North West. Drove well, started first time all weekend etc and indeed has started first time since I got it in September. Then...the day after we came home from the weekend away I got in the Freda as normal and the engine refused to start and just turned & turned for a good few minutes until it eventually kicked in and spluttered to life. After that it ran fine all day. The next couple of days it started first time like it always has. However, come the weekend and it refused to start again on 2 consecutive days so I took it to Jap Direct in Bury. He was very helpful and told me that he'd given the van a once over and couldn't find anything wrong. In fact, on the two days he had the vehicle it started first time. So... I took the van home only for 2 days later the problem to appear again. The starter motor turns but it just won't fire up. However after about 5 minutes of trying to start it splutters to life and is fine for the rest of the day, starting first time every time. So, I decided on a second opinion and took it to Wheel Quick in Wigan who were brilliant. They suggested to start the elimination process by changing the most obvious things: Rotor Arm, Dizzy Cap, Leads, Plugs & fuel filter. The following day Wheel Quick rang me to say that the vehicle now started first time. I asked him to keep the vehicle for 3 days to check the problem was resolved. This he did and indeed the vehicle started first time every morning. However, just 5 days later and the problem has arisen again. The vehicle just won't start. The starter motor turns ok but the vehicle just won't splutter to life. I am a at a loss what this could be. It's making me look stupid because every time the garage has the vehicle they tell me it is now starting fine.

Does anybody have any ideas?

Don't know if it makes a difference but I did notice when I first got the vehicle in September that the engine seems to be racing when idling. In fact, a friend of mine who used to be a Mechanic said to me the other day "That engine doesn't sound right. It's ticking over too fast. It sounds like an old engine with the choke full on". However, I didn't say anything to the 2 Garages where the van has been because I assumed that they would know if the engine was racing. I am now convinced the engine is racing and ticking over far too fast.
One other thing I have noticed is that when I am sat at the lights I can slightly feel & hear the engine idle changing speed every now and again. I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the starting problems?

So, any help or ideas? Where do I go from here? Don't wanna sound like a fool here but does this vehicle have a Carburetor? Could it be that?

I have posted this elsewhere to get the benefit of users of other sites/forums too.

This is becoming crazy!

This morning at 7:30am I went out to the vehicle to start it up. It wouldn't start after about 30 seconds of turning over. So, I goes back in the House and have my Breakfast while I contemplate my next move. Gets my Coat on, comes out of The House (2 hours later) ready for the battle to get it started. Would you believe it...starts first time. Better than ever. Better than my New Merc!

Now, I'm only guessing here but I'm thinking that when I struggled starting for 30 seconds this morning that has put some Petrol where it needs to be and now it starts first time. Could it be a Petrol Pump problem? although if it was a Petrol Pump problem surely the vehicle would cut out at times?

Seriously baffled now! Vehicle is making fun of me.

i would look for weeps on the fuel pipes

It sounds like the fuel could be syphoning back into the tank,it might be worthwhile looking at the non return valve and or even fit an extra valve. And check the fuel pump,choke and throttle sensor.

PS what is the idle rpm.

Injected engines tend not to have a choke .. a temperature sensor send info to the ECU to inject more fuel to richen the mixture when cold and less as the engine warms up ..

Maybe some thing as simple as a bad associated lecky connection or faulty sensor ..??

When it happens, have you pulled a spark plug to to check is its wet with petrol and do you get a spark when you turn it over on the starter with the plug earthed to the engine? Need to pin it down to fuel or ignition issue.

Ok. Like most of you, I work full time so it's dark when I leave in the morning and dark when I return home. Therefore, I have not checked anything yet. So...in the 3 days since I wrote this thread the vehicle has started first time, every time. It would be nice to think the problem is now solved but deep down I know that's probably not the case. I have tried to gauge opinions from others on this and have been asked what Revs the vehicle idles at. The answer is: 300 - 400 Revs. I say 300-400 because I have noticed that while I am sat at the lights the engine idle goes up and down and the needle flickers between 300-400 revs. Strangely when I put the lever into Park the revs shoot to a steady 1100 revs and the vehicle sounds like it us racing. Not sure if this is anything to do with it.