My campervan won't start

Basil Leslie
Basil Leslie Forum Participant Posts: 10
edited April 2020 in Motorhomes #1

Hi first time motorhome owner.

Due to lockdown have not used my fiat ducatto for a couple of weeks.  Went to start the engine today and it won't start new battery is turning over ok but won't fire. Does anyone have any suggestions please

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  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited April 2020 #2

    Are you allowing time for glowplugs to warm up? What's showing on the instrument panel? 

  • Basil Leslie
    Basil Leslie Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited April 2020 #3

    Yes but they only stay on for a few seconds

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2020 #4

    I'm no mechanic but when I had a boat if the engine did not start it was usually a fuel problem.  Are you able to check if fuel is getting to the injectors?  Could be blocked fuel filters or the dreaded water  (condensation) in the fuel.  Are you in the AA or equivalent, might be time to call themundecided

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2020 #5

    I've just googled 'my diesel engine won't start'.  Plenty of tips which mainly point to fuel problem.  Good luck.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited April 2020 #6

    When you first switch on, can you hear the usual pump and other whirring noises? When you say 'stay on for a few seconds' do you mean the red glowplug symbol or all the other oil pressure, battery, et cetera lights as well? They should stay on until the engine is up and running. You may have a bad connection problem eg earthing. Is your immobilizer responding? Try another key.

    I'm not an expert, but I can imagine how frustrating it must be. Your battery obviously isn't flat.

    Got plenty of fuel?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2020 #7

    Is your LV on a slope ,has the fuel still to be pumped to the injectors?

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited April 2020 #8

    As stated above, many starting problems where the engine is turning over on diesels are either injector failure or fuel pump. You can listen to determine whether the fuel pump is working and there are ways to start the engine if the injector fails, you can squirt Easystart (I think it’s called) into the manifold but you need to know how to do it. It’s a job for the AA or a mechanic. 

  • Basil Leslie
    Basil Leslie Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited April 2020 #9

    Thanks for your help will try your suggestions tomorrow 

     

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited April 2020 #10

    Don't use Easystart. It's crack cocaine for engines. Once hooked there always need it.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited April 2020 #11

    Yes, I should have mentioned that if an injector spring fails you can squirt it in the manifold to start the engine to get you to a garage. Once you switch off you would have to use it again to restart.

    I broke down at Dover and the AA got me started. Unfortunately we then had to drive 100 miles back home with the caravan on the back, unhitch, drive to the garage; all whilst keeping the engine going. The upside was that they fixed it the same afternoon and we went back to Dover next day and continued our trip (several hundred pounds the lighter).

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2020 #12

    Come on, Basil! Have you got it started yet?

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited April 2020 #13

    Give the lad time, C & C, he's still looking for the branch  !!wink

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2020 #14

    He'll need a bigger branch for a motorhome!

    Basil Attacks His Car | Fawlty Towers | BBC Comedy Greats - YouTube

     

     

     

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