Howhardgerrard · Feb 19, 2023

Hi guys
I have a 1988 Defender which had a Isuzu 3.1 Trooper engine transplant about 10 years ago.
I’ve had it a year and it’s been driving ok. Recently I had a issue with starting the car. It just cranked but didn’t start.
I replaced the battery,starter and re wired the starter wiring. It worked for a week.
Problem now is it’s just doing a crank no start again. When I spray easy start fluid the car cranks up right away and drive lovely. I can drive all day. But when I switch are off and try to restart the car in the day , it just cranks but no start again until easy start is sprayed again.
One mechanic sed it’s fuel related whilst another said it’s the starter relay under fuse box( I thought it was all or nothing on fuses).
I just don’t want to throw parts at it does any have any suggestions?

many thanks in advance

saxavordian · Feb 19, 2023

You say using starter spray works fine so you can discount electric. Check your fuel line for air getting in. Does this show seepage on the ground.

tottot · Feb 19, 2023

Sounds typical of fuel drain back after stopping. Do not know the set up on Izuzu unit with regard to fuel pump, mechanical or electric, in tank or external or on engine. And type position of fuel filter but recon it will be a problem with one letting air into the system when stopped.
When you get it running the injection pump bleed system removes the air and engine keeps going. Do not keep doing this.

Howhardgerrard · Feb 19, 2023

saxavordian said:
You say using starter spray works fine so you can discount electric. Check your fuel line for air getting in. Does this show seepage on the ground.[/

tottot said:
Sounds typical of fuel drain back after stopping. Do not know the set up on Izuzu unit with regard to fuel pump, mechanical or electric, in tank or external or on engine. And type position of fuel filter but recon it will be a problem with one letting air into the system when stopped.
When you get it running the injection pump bleed system removes the air and engine keeps going. Do not keep doing this.

Don’t not keep doing what mate ?

landowner · Feb 19, 2023

Sometimes pump on top of fuel filter lets air in due to age (Izuzu filter)

saxavordian · Feb 19, 2023

Howhardgerrard said:
Don’t not keep doing what mate ?

Start spray is pure ethanol. Like a junkie this can have a side effects on carbs and injection system. In the end the vehicle can end up relying on starting fuild.
We used to have this in the forces for certain vehicles with starting cartridges.

freelance · Feb 19, 2023

Do your heater plugs work?

tottot · Feb 19, 2023

saxavordian said:
Start spray is pure ethanol. Like a junkie this can have a side effects on carbs and injection system. In the end the vehicle can end up relying on it.

Plus you are turning the injection pump over dry.

Colthebrummie · Feb 20, 2023

Is this engine a diesel?

Col

Turboman · Feb 20, 2023

saxavordian said:
Start spray is pure ethanol. Like a junkie this can have a side effects on carbs and injection system. In the end the vehicle can end up relying on starting fuild.
We used to have this in the forces for certain vehicles with starting cartridges.

Occasional use won't do any harm.

I have worked on Bedford MKs that had the ether bottles on the dash. The ones I worked on were long decommissioned, so no ether in the bottles.
Only intended for Arctic conditions, for UK temperatures glow plugs or a flame starter are adequate.

Turboman · Feb 20, 2023

Colthebrummie said:
Is this engine a diesel?

Col

Wondered about that myself. And also how old said engine is.

saxavordian · Feb 20, 2023

Turboman said:
Occasional use won't do any harm.

I have worked on Bedford MKs that had the ether bottles on the dash. The ones I worked on were long decommissioned, so no ether in the bottles.
Only intended for Arctic conditions, for UK temperatures glow plugs or a flame starter are adequate.

Yep true I remember the cartridge being part of my pol stores work in saxavord.
You get a video training by James Stewart on clearance for aircraft engine

for mt drivers

not being the brightest bunch.

GRATCH · Feb 20, 2023

Is there a fuel cut off solenoid on the injector pump?

Howhardgerrard · Feb 20, 2023

freelance said:
Do your heater plugs work?

I’ve checked these and yes

Howhardgerrard · Feb 20, 2023

I’m not sure

GRATCH said:
Is there a fuel cut off solenoid on the injector pump?

on these a

Turboman said:
Wondered about that myself. And also how old said engine is.

About 10 years old In the engine

Howhardgerrard · Feb 20, 2023

Colthebrummie said:
Is this engine a diesel?

Col

Yes diesel

Shippers · Feb 21, 2023

Do a compression check on all cylinders...

Shippers · Feb 21, 2023

saxavordian said:
Start spray is pure ethanol. Like a junkie this can have a side effects on carbs and injection system. In the end the vehicle can end up relying on starting fuild.

Indicates a worn engine if it only starts on ethanol nothing to do with being a junkie...just because engine was fitted 10yrs ago god only knows it's age and mileage...

saxavordian · Feb 21, 2023

Shippers said:
Indicates a worn engine if it only starts on ethanol nothing to do with being a junkie...just because engine was fitted 10yrs ago god only knows it's age and mileage...

True it a bad habit to start with but it helps if the engine whooped. Thankfully the military had an endless supply of parts during my yoof.

AllanWorms · Feb 21, 2023

Shippers said:
Do a compression check on all cylinders...

'specially since it's probably one of the Isuzu 3.1 from the Bighorn/Trooper, with the chrome bore issues???

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