T25 2litre engine

Hi Chris

Any history leading up to the problem ?

Did you just go to start it one day and it wouldn't go ?

Did you drive it hard the last time it worked ?

Did you do anything to it ? - plugs leads points etc ?

Where abouts are you in the UK ?

Rich

Did the T25 (US Vanagon, I think) have carb?

I would try to turn the engine by hand to see how tight it is. Repeat with the spark plugs removed. (Could try running the starter with plugs removed.) Possibly a compression test.

My line of thought was leading to possible hydraulic lock due to cylinder flooding.

Anyway, a few very simple tests should point the direction to take and hint at whether the engine is kinackered or not.

Speedy Jim

I think all over here are carb - Ive not seen or heard of any FI .

I was thinking he could have overheated and put the cylinder walls out of shape ? maybe melted a piston ?

I did on a ford once - got me home, but wouldnt turn over easily next morning when it cooled down.

Hand turning without the plugs would maybe show that too.

Rich

hey all in refernece to rich, i think your thougts may be quite valid. the lsat work i did in the van was quite heavy, as i towed a caravan 60 miles and then the next day, she was dead. Ive removed the plugs already and the engine turns over nicely wihout them. also turned by hand which didnt seem to be a problem. im living in harrogate near leeds. if the pistons have melted or the cylinder walls are outof shape, would it be cost effective to repair this in your opioion?

Hi Chris

The next step is , as speedy suggested, buy/borrow a compresion tester and test each cylinder. See which, if any, is out. You should get the same reading, ish, on all four. If one is alot lower then you are getting closer to finding the problem.

I assume you have checked the obvious - good tight and clean connections to battery, earth leads, and starter motor ?

If speedy's idea about the flooded barrel is right and you can spin the engine without the plugs in, try spinning it over then put the plugs in (even just finger tight) and try spinning it again. It should spin both times.

Did you smell petrol when you removed the plugs ?

Leeds is a bit far for me to come and have a look - I'm in coventry. (lady godiva to all you not in the UK ! )

As for where to go next - if you are looking for a replacement engine, 2L's are quite rare over here, you are much more likely to get a 1.7 or 1.8. but lets see if we can fix yours 1st :-)

Rich

Have you looked at Timming ...if your timming was retarded it could cause the problems you were talking about.

Mario