Van sat for 6 months, cranks but no start

[s2martin]

I've not worked on my van for the last 6 months, so it's been sat on my driveway all this time without being started. I thought this would be OK, and the battery may just need a charge (which I've done), but it cranks over but doesn't start. After a few attempts the battery fades, so jumped it from another car and it cranks strongly, but just doesn't start still. Is it possible the fuel pressure could have dropped as it's been sat for so long? Before, it started first time no problem. Is there a way I can determine if this is the issue (bearing in mind I am a learning mechanic!)?

[metalworker0]

Have you done any welding on it ..if so did you disconnect both leads of the battery .

All the best.mark

[s2martin]

Hi Mark - No, I've not done any welding on the sills yet (still need to buy a welder and learn!). Been following your thread on your sill repair though, very thorough

Cheers
Steve

[metalworker0]

I cant help you much on this ..my knowledge of these diesel engines and antifeft devices is limited.

My first thing to do is try engine starter spray ..take the air filter out and spray a generous portion into the intake.
Run round quickly and try to start it ....it starts ...you're good to go , if it doesn't then move on to the fuel system new fuel filter ..and bleed the system.
still does not start ........then investigate the immobiliser system.

come back here and others will take you on from that point. .

All the best..mark

[Kenton]

What year is your van? It could be that there is little or no diesel in the filter, and possibly gone bad if the filter is old. Replace filter and fill with diesel before you try and start, as there is no fuel pump, and especially the older engines can take hours to purge air out of the system.

[s2martin]

Thanks, Mark - I bought a can to try that

@kenton - the van is a 2003, will try that though as the filter is overdue a replacement anyhow. I didn't realise they didn't have a fuel pump which explains why I couldn't hear anything when turning the key to the 1st position!

[Kenton]

Any result?

[s2martin]

Any result?

Haven't had a chance to try a new filter yet, plan to next month so will update when I do! Cheers.

[Smokedog]

If you cant get and fit a new fuel filter now, maybe worth loosening off the centre pipe of the fuel filter and topping up with diesel or redex to make sure theres no air in it and then trying, also making sure the van is down from ramps if the front end is up.

Worked recently for mine after being sat on ramps for a while! Good luck with it

[s2martin]

If you cant get and fit a new fuel filter now, maybe worth loosening off the centre pipe of the fuel filter and topping up with diesel or redex to make sure theres no air in it and then trying, also making sure the van is down from ramps if the front end is up.

Worked recently for mine after being sat on ramps for a while! Good luck with it

Ah, good tip - may try that first then. Thanks!

[s2martin]

I finally got around to trying to start the van today.

With a spray of easystart in the air intake, it does fire up for a couple of seconds before cutting out.

I replaced the fuel filter and primed it, but it still won't start. Am now at a loss as to what to try next - any advice much appreciated.