Wouldn't start at Euro tunnel

[thejinx]

Ok. 252 miles without a hitch then pulled in for fuel just before euro tunnel and it wouldn't start. It was a quick stop the other 2 had been half hour and I had no issues.

Got a bump start and got it to the tunnel. I was asked to pull in for a search and it wouldn't start again initially. 10 mins later it struggled but started. A bit of popping going into train. Just waiting to see if it starts coming off. I think it just flooded. Any ideas? Initially felt as if there was no life in battery but as I say 10 min later it fired with a struggle. Fingers crossed.

 

[StuF]

Is it turning over fast or slow?
Twin or single carbs?

 

[thejinx]

Turning over slow. Started ok ish on train. Popped and chugged into motorway then ok when up to speed. Popped and chugged again on B roads.

Parked up in Ypres for the night now. Will look at it in the morning. To much air possibly? Pissed off as it was running great for the other 250 miles sat st 55 all the way

 

[thejinx]

Single carb by the way

 

[StuF]

Check the connections on the battery, might have come loose therefore not getting a strong spark and slow to turn starter over.
If the connections to the battery are tight and good, check the battery/alternator output - I know you have just changed the alt so that will be fine but the battery might be where its going wrong now.
It should turn over freely and quickly with a nice strong battery

 

[thejinx]

What about the back fire

 

[ozziedog]

Hello mate, when did the backfire start ? Backfires are usually to do with timing and or an air leak in one of the manifolds . When you say it was running great ? Did you get it off the speedo ? :lol: :shock: :shock: :lol: Or what happened ? Have a close look at your carb though for anything missing that may add to the air leak thing and give any little wires an extra nice wiggle on too. :roll: :roll: If it`s turning over slowly, it`s gotta be lack of power getting through if you is charging ok. When you check your leads, check both ends and check proper don`t just wiggle them, and don`t forget the one to the box,

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,good luck with your break bud :mrgreen:

 

[StuF]

What about the back fire

If the spark is weak because the battery is very low the fuel might not be getting fully burnt - hits the hot exhaust and backfires?
Any updates?

 

[VeeDubMan]

I had something similar...but it's not good news. Brand new battery, always fully charged, but the starting was getting slower and slower. Would eventually start but always had problems. Turned out the stock fuel pump was too powerful and flooding the twin 34ICT's, piston rings were shagged and fuel mixed with the oil which caused the oil to thin out and eventually a bearing seized. The starter getting slower and slower was that bearing beginning to go.

Now, you haven't got 34ICT's, but check that the diaphragm in the stock pump hasn't perished (heard this can happen with cheap repro pumps) and fuel is getting into the sump. Smell your dipstick too (now that sounds too weird!)

Good luck!

 

[thejinx]

Had a few beers last night. Got up fresh this morning. Have done the following:

Tightened loose Earth strap to battery
Checked and regapped points
I had a little to much oil in the sump. It doesn't smell of fuel I think I over filled in the dark yesterday. I do have a spare pump in case.

Waiting for campsite to wake up before I put the timing light on it. If it starts

 

[StuF]

Are you running a leisure battery? If you have one fitted you can jump the main battery off that.
I did it in the past when the main one went flat

 

[ozziedog]

Be a little careful, one of the signs of ^^^ as said above fuel pump leaking into the sump is a rising oil level because it's being added to by fuel getting past the pump. If it's a reproduction pump be double careful, I've had one last two weeks and I've heard of them lasting less than that, also this is not a rare thing , it's fairly common place because of crap rubber and crap parts and Ethanol too. Get other people to sniff it too, on the dipstick and if you still aren't sure, get a drinking straw and put it on your dip tube and sniff directly into the cranky case with the straw up your nostril and block the other. Please video this and post it back on here once you've holidayed and got back home again.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,then get it on YouTube for confusion :mrgreen:

 

[thejinx]

Ok changed fuel pump changed points gapped to 0.16. Checked I have fuel getting through tightened battery straps. Checked TDC. Checked rotarcarm is on no1 plug. Not starting. Any pointers. Anyone know an air cooled garage in Ypres

 

[StuF]

Whats the starter motor sound like -slow/fast?
Can you remove a spark plug to check for a spark against the engine whilst it turns over - might be the coil if no spark

 

[StuF]

If you are stuck and cant get it going recovery could get you to Rolands Bus Farm. It is only 1hr20mins away from your location
Roland's Bus Farm, Naast, Hainaut, Belgium, ROLAND LEBRUN - TEL: +32477259433 - [email protected]
He would be able to sort it in no time I bet if you cant get it going.

 

[thejinx]

Slow turning but got it started. Re timed using my gun. Going to go out and try it shortly

 

[thejinx]

Cheers for info. May need Roland before this is over

 

[StuF]

Cheers for info. May need Roland before this is over

Worth the trip just to see his BusFarm

 

[thejinx]

Oil change done. I now have a plastic bag full of oil inside a box the toaster came in. I will transport that back to the UK. I had only bought the spare fuel pump as an after thought the day we left

 

[thejinx]

Driven it, all now seems well. Thank you all. The knowledge gained over the past few years on this forum and your help today put me back on the road. I need to get a new battery which will be my next stop. Cheers