Vito 02 Starting Problem

[gigidinut]

A few months ago I have bought a Vito from 2002 with a refrigeration system attached. Until about two weeks ago everything was fine then it started this weird behaviour.

Sometimes it starts normally, after 10 seconds it stops running and then it won't start for 1-2 days. Then it works normally for a few days and then it's the same story again. I wasn't able to find anyone with a similar problem, hence my post.

Mentioning that the glow plug light doesn't go off and never did, the previous owner said there was nothing to worry about. I'm thinking if it was the glow plugs it either wouldn't start at all or have a constant behaviour.. Any suggestions?

Thank you

 

[V6Matty]

glow plugs do make a huge difference to starting and also the running of the engine. As a start I would change them, after that it could be the coils that have failed but more likely the glow plugs.

 

[gigidinut]

I went to a specialised service and they told me that due to the age of the car, when they try to replace the glow plugs there is a chance that something may brake and to fix it they would need to take the engine apart which would result in a cost well over £1000... To be honest, I'm not willing to take the risk since I have paid less that £2k for the van.

Could it be anything else since some days it runs flawlessly?

 

[M80]

Faulty glow plugs won't cause the engine to cut once started, that is usually air in the fuel lines but with yours not restarting for so long it would suggest electrical to me.

When it starts after the long wait is it easy or after much cranking?

 

[gigidinut]

When it finally starts, it starts normally and it acts as everything works fine.. This is the thing that is most confusing

 

[M80]

If I understand it starts after the couple of days stood without much cranking??
That leaves me thinking the problem is less likely to be air in the lines.

It's better to have the fault codes read but my wild guess would be CPS, or its connector.

My experience with the earlier 2.2 CDI's is that they start readily without glow plug assistance. My 07 Vito (same engine(ish)) will need cranking some without the pre heat, that could be a mileage thing though.

 

[gigidinut]

Thank you so much for all that info. Is there any DIY way to test CPS?

 

[M80]

Maybe others could suggest the meter readings you might expect but I couldn't, sorry.
I don't know how compatible to OBD11 yours is, but a BT EML 327 code reader that can be interrogated by Torque on an Android phone is cheap enough. Maybe any codes present might point to the CPS??
I would expect a new CPS to be around £35 for a DIY fit.

Often an engine will cut when warm and fail to restart until it has cooled. That would point to the CPS. Not really what you experience but maybe your CPS is behaving different or a poor connection to it.

When air gets into the fuel lines that often gives the symptom you have. It starts, uses up the residue of fuel, then the air lock gets to the injectors and the engine cuts. For a restart it shouldn't matter when you restart as the cranking will pull the fuel through.
The age of yours means you can expect that problem as there are 6 or so 'o' rings that can pass air when very cooler.

 

[gigidinut]

Thank you for all the information, you may have saved me hundreds of pounds. I have a friend of mine who has a car service and I will ask him to check for the things you have pointed out.