Engine will not start after running and parking.

I have a problem with my SC.

The other day I started the van to move it off the drive, and parked up. Went to put it back on the drive and it would not start - sounded like fuel starvation, the engine turned over fast, but it would not fire.

I left the van for the day, then pumped the priming knob at the top of the fuel filter, and tried it again, and it was fine.

It ran for 4 days, and then did the same again, I towed it home and charged the battery (as it went flat trying to start it)

The next day it started fine again.

It has a new fuel filter, I am wondering if it could be the tank vent or fuel line or fuel pump?

Has anyone any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks

Martin.

Check fuel filter is seated correctly.
On a cold engine prime the fuel pump it should only take a pump or two. Drive it and park up,check primer again it should be rock hard. If the primer is clamped down that would indicate a blockage from the tank.
If it is soft air is getting in somewhere, check all hoses but I would suspect the primer pump itself.

Hi Martin,
I have just repaired the exact same fault. I initially thought it was a fuel problem but turned out to be engine ECU. I have read almost every post on this forum looking for answers and it turns out to be a very common problem as the car gets older. I also read about similar problems with Toyota Surfs on a different forum, seems many owners were brave enough to do the repair themselves which is basically replacing the capacitors inside the ECU. Not that hard if you have ok electrical knowledge and for the $9 it cost me I thought I'd give it a shot. Fixed the problem but created a few others, I put up with it for about a week then located a second hand ECU. Put it in and everything is sweet now. Hopefully this one lasts a while. Can't complain really, I've had my Super Custom for 8 years and this is the first time it has ever let me down. Good Luck
Camo

Hi Camo,

If you don't mind me asking - what other problems came up? If it happens to mine I will probably try to repair it myself - like replacing old caps on a computer motherboard. Sometimes this worked - sometimes not.

I have met one faulty ecu whilst owning my SC. The guy who I bought my machine off swapped in an ecu to try and clear the airbag light and it would cut out after about 30 min driving, then go again for a few minutes if left to cool down for about 5 minutes. I ended up pulling the trim and checking - it was really hot. I got my ecu back and reset the airbag warning fault myself (there was no issue with the airbag itself - the dome light fuse was out and caused the fault to be logged).

Cheers,

Dave

mine also happened today , i cranked the start for longer seconds with manual diesel pump , finally started . this just happend since we bought the car but with no problems . i suspected maybe airlock.