engine wont start

[makeitfit]

hi all, can anyone help please as im slowly losing the will to carry on with the project. i have a '92 transit, 2.5 di that ive been rebuilding for a while, the problem is that 'cos its been stood to long that now it simply wont start. theres a charged battery, fuel in tank, new fuel filter, cranks over fine, i can get it to fire for a second or two and thats it and thats with the help of easy start. i believe that there is fuel coming through because i slackened the injector feed pipe that goes to top of the injector and there was fuel, so i assume that fuel is getting through. what am i missing? ive got 2 months to finish the project and move it from my sister-in-laws drive as it was only supposed to stay there short term and that was 3 years ago. thanks to all those that can help.

[ceurieusneus]

Well, I wish my wife would have the same patience with me, as your sister in law has with you

[vanfox]

Sounds like it's not been bled properly, so.....
Fully charge the battery. Have an assistant sit in the seat to turn the key. Loosen no. 1 and no. 2 injector pipes about one half turn each, no more. Have a rag handy. Tell the assistant to turn the key to run only and listen for the stop solenoid at the back of the pump to click open, assuming a bosch pump. If no click investigate why not.
If you hear the click tell the assistant to hold the throttle half open, turn the key to start and hold it there. You should get solid spurts of fuel from the loosened pipes. Bubbles means there's still air in the pipes. When you get solid spurts tighten the pipes and the motor will ......start. If only running on nos. 1 and 2 you need to bleed nos. 3 and 4.
20 secs max on the starter then let the battery recover.
Works for me.

[ricc]

might be an idea to stick a tarpaulin under first... enough diesel coming out can make a mess on a drive.

[makeitfit]

thanks for the advice vanfox, will give it a go. kin hope it works, wife is trying to get me to scrap it but i know that she'll be happy with it when its all finished and we're having a great time camping with the kids. thanks

[makeitfit]

i forgot to say that its a lucas injector pump. how much of a difference is that for the sound? this could be the spark of hope that could save the project and my sanity. thanks

[vanfox]

The Lucas pump is a different pan de poisson(fish?) Is it a turbo motor? If not sure post a pic using add attachment.
The Epic gang will be along soon, in the mean time try my bleeding advice but if you don't get solid spurts of fuel you need advise I don't have. May be repost with the title "Turbo motor won't start". this will attract the right attention.

[vanfox]

Is it running yet?

[Altransit]

'92 won't be an EPIC turbo, I don't think.
My '94 Mk4 N/A Minibus had a Lucas pump

[baxi]

the cold weather does not help ? .

[MinorMatt]

'92 can be EPIC... but its more likely to be a CAV which will click

[makeitfit]

hi all, finally an update, it works out that the injetor pump is knackered. its pos that the shaft inside it has snapped cos its not pumping the fuel to the injectors. fuel was pumping strong at all other places, ie. the filter, mechanical pump other fuel lines. i could only get it started using easystart. friends of friends that own a garage looked at it and that was the final answer from them, so now i need a new/used or repaired pump, maybe even the shaft to fix it. the engine is a 2.5L, pre-banana and the van is '92 autosleeper lwb and the pump is a lucas/CAV. thanks for any help.