98 non start

[astroshepawd]

Hi chaps,
Problem this weekend with the van starting! Its a 98 dual fuel petrol/ LPG.

Day 1, really hard to get it to fire up, when it eventually did, it sounded like a bag of nails missing like crazy. Keeping it running on the throttle (it would die as soon as the pressure was off the pedal) I managed to get some temperature in the engine. At a certain engine temp it automatically switches over to LPG. When it did switch from petrol it ran perfectly on the LPG. (no missing or anything)
Day 2, it does not want to fire up, although it just about does but not enough to even run on one or two cylinders. Certainly not enough to let the LPG run it.

Codes thrown were 0108 map sensor high volts
0300 misfire detected
0336 crankshaft position

So basically because it was mis-firing it threw the codes! I have eliminated it being electrical because it ran fine on LPG!
Could it be the fuel pump gone bad? It is approaching the dreaded 100 thou mark. Alas I cannot get a pressure test until Tuesday as we have a public holiday on Monday. Is there anything else it might be that I am overlooking? Or could try? Yes I have fuel indicated in the tank and I swapped out the filter.
I can hear the fuel pump working as it should.
Any suggestions greatfully received.
Shep

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I would have to guess the fuel pump as well since it runs fine on LPG.

[astroshepawd]

Cheers Dean, at least we were thinking the same.
Latest update as of today.
After a lengthy wait to fit the new 'Delco' fuel pump imported from your side of the pond (mainly rubbish weather, I didn't fancy crawling around in the wet and mud under the van) the new pump was fitted. Guess what? It had made no difference! The van just turned over wanting to start but to no avail. ie signs of life, an occasional cough.
I considered the options! Whats easiest! Electrics? not much to that, a relay (fuel pump) and a 20amp 'ecm' B fuse. I checked the fuse and swapped over the relay with the similar one in the fuse box.
Probably just coincidence but the van fired up!
Missing badly but sort of revved up. It threw 3 codes:
0108....Map sensor High Voltage
0135....HOS2 Heater circuit bank 1
0300....Misfire detected
Cleared the codes and continued to warm the engine. The LPG kicked in and the engine ran sweet as anything!
Switching the LPG off and revving the misfiring engine on petrol to 3000rpm code 300 threw again, clearing that and then at the same revs 0303 threw. Then on the third and forth times code 0304 threw twice. I believe 3 and 4 denote cylinders misfiring.
So good news in the sense that at least the van is driveable again (when warmed and running the LPG) but what is going on with the misfire?
Any suggestions?

Thanks
Shep

[Kidhauler]

Could be the fuel filter but that should have been changed when you did the pump. Could also be dirty or stuck injectors on a couple of cylinders. Also try cleaning the maf sensor. If you run propane all the time how old is the gas in the tank could water have gotten in the tank from condensation from having a half tank for a long time?

[astroshepawd]

LPG side has only just undergone a service (April). Filled the tank with LPG on day one of the misfire with the petrol.
Fuel system does have a nice new inline filter fitted.
I will have a look at cleaning the sensor.
Thanks for the input, I'll report back.

Shep

[Kidhauler]

I was wondering about water in the gasoline not the propane. Good luck

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Too bad the pump didn't do it. If you can get a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, put that in the gas tank. Does sound as if there is some water in the gas. Can you check the gas line pressure? There is a schraeder valve on the main gas line under the doghouse. Should be sitting at 55 PSI or so.

[astroshepawd]

Ha, I sometimes wish I could remember stuff like not be a dummy and whilst you have the fuel tank out, why not turn it upside down and drain every last morsel of liquid out along with any other bits that might be lurking within. 'Just why did I not do that'!
I know, just to keen to get the new pump on and get the job done. Yet I did manage to rub down and paint the outside centre seam where it was just starting to show signs of rusting in a place or two!
Whats going on? Maybe getting to old! (Don't answer that! lol)
Let me say that the majority of liquid was removed from the tank before dropping it. But because water is heavier it could potentially still be in there and causing this problem. I'll heed the advice and get some of the isopropyl alcohol and stick in, just incase.
I can now drive the van to a mate who will have a pressure guage to check the fuel pressure out.
MAF sensor was nice and clean BTW.
Appreciate the help guys with this minor irritation, thanks.

Shep......reporting back!

[Kidhauler]

Thanks for the update. Glad your making some progress.