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VW Camper and running out of diesel

  • 19-05-2009 8:12pm
    #1
    salmon7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32 ✭


    The needle said 1/4 full, the tank said not. Fortunately, I had parked in the driveway after a long journey home. I went to move the van and it wouldn't start. I got more diesel and tried cranking the engine to no avail. Don't want to run battery down totally. I was told that these new engines (1993) should turn over even if you run out of fuel. Having no luck there I'm afraid.
    Do I have to get a mechanic?:(
    Many Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    peasant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Moving this to main motors, as this isn't really camper specific and there's a chance of a quicker answer on main motors


  • #3
    salmon7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32 ✭salmon7


    Thanks Peasant:)


  • #4
    peasant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Are you sure that the tank is empty?
    Can exclude a blocked diesel filter or air in the fuel lines?


  • #5
    bushy...
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,467 ✭✭✭bushy...


    Loosen a feed pipe on one of the injectors ( if it isn't common rail) , crank it over a few times and see if fuel appears

    Note: keep away from the pipe etc when its cranking over , the fuel is injected at high pressure , will happily go through your skin , you will then lose part / all of affected fingers/hand/arm . It wouldn't be good for you eyes either.

    No fuel ? Usually one of these few things :

    Airlocked
    Filter blocked
    Feed pipe blocked
    Feed pipe drawing in air.
    Solenoid gone in pump / no power to solenoid
    Lift pump dead
    Injection pump dead

    In older stuff it basically goes :

    Tank ----filter---pump---injectors---engine---exhaust
    polar bear

    There is a return feed from the pump/filter/injectors for "bleeding off" excess.


  • #6
    pred racer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,384 ✭✭✭pred racer


    bushy... wrote: »
    Loosen a feed pipe on one of the injectors ( if it isn't common rail) , crank it over a few times and see if fuel appears

    Note: keep away from the pipe etc when its cranking over , the fuel is injected at high pressure , will happily go through your skin , you will then lose part / all of affected fingers/hand/arm

    +1
    the engine will start minus one cylinder tighten back up and you're away! unless its common rail/ high pressure injection (if it is DONT disconnect the injector) the fuel just spatters around a bit.

    Thats how I start my massey ferguson (if the noise is anything to go by MF and vw diesel engines are made by the same people :D)


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  • #7
    salmon7
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32 ✭salmon7


    Who'd have thought it.... after the long drive home, I parked it up. Tried to restart it and thought it must be the fuel.
    After much fidgeting about, I have been reliably informed that it's not the fuel line/system but the Timing belt.:mad:

    I bought the camper and had the timing belt replaced, even though there was another 30,000km left....just to be sure. I put 10,000 kms on it over the summer but it's way off the 70,000 mark.
    Q.

    Is it possible for a belt that has been replaced one year ago to fail?
    Is it possible that the belt wasn't replaced?
    How can one tell that the belt is more than 1 year old?
    The van did not start at all when I turned the ignition. It made a strange noise.....have I damaged something???:eek:


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