Awww man! Delilah won't start!

[tracied]

So we've been over the moon happy with our delica, which we named Delilah, since we got her in the summer. No problems, excellent fuel consumption etc. It is due to go in for an oil change and servicing which I had intended on doing next week or so, however a week ago someting strange started happening, which makes it even more pressing to get it in.
One minor inconvenience which we could live with was it took about 20 minutes for the heat to kick in, which often meant we got to our destination before the van was warm inside. This has been going on for about a month. But the more concerning issue started a week ago:
First it started making a hissing (like steam) sound when accelerating up steep hills.
Then on Thursday evening, it wouldn't start. Because it was cold and it sometimes takes time i attributed it to the cold. We were in a hurry so we just walked to our destination which we would have done in the first place if we were not running late! Then Friday, allowing myself more time to get where I needed I went out to start her up. Still nothing. It sounds like the engine is trying to turn over but can't. So I start thinking maybe it is the battery. This morning i got someone to come and try jumpstarting me. Nothing. Still won't start. The more I tried, the weaker the engine got. So now I don't want to push my luck in case I do something really bad.

This is really really bad timing as I am a photographer and have shoots all next week and they are all over the place so I need my van! I can't afford to get it towed anywhere (and of course I would want to get it out to CVI if I could as that is who I got it from). Please tell me this is something simple and easily fixable? I am seriously in the hole moneywise once my rent comes out on the first. :(

Anyone want to trade photography for repairs? :p

[jessef]

For the heat, you may need to bleed the cooling system as it's closed looped.

Where is the coolant level at first of all.

Second, look above the intercooler on the right. You'll see a little black tube facing the front of the van with a plastic 10mm bolt threaded in. Remove the bolt while the van is running with the heat on max and blower on full and wait until coolant comes out. Once coolant starts coming out, put the bolt back in. This should resolve your slow inside heating.

Another is the thermostat. It's possible it is not opening up. It's an easy fix to swap out a new one (just two 12mm bolts) but you'll have a lot of coolant coming out of the block and will need to replenish it. This is best done at a service shop.

For the starting, again, make sure your coolant is good. Hopefully you're not empty on coolant.

Boosting from another vehicle is good. On top of the fuel filter, there is a pump. Pump it for a few mins and have someone turn it over while you pump on it. This should push enough diesel through to start it.

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

From my experience, this is not a good sign for your engine.
Take your car to CVI where you get it from and let the professional check it out.
Hoping it might be a small problem.

Anyone want to trade photography for repairs?

I would suggest do not try to start until you get a clue.

Good luck .

[davidwwc]

Sorry to hear about the problem with your van . , hope this is not going to be a big problem . As the hissing sound, it sounds like your waste gate actuator is siezed. I have done this to my L400 too. You can search the web on this as there are load of information on how to fix it.

DC

[tracied]

Woo hoo! Thanks for your suggestions. I had someone come over and look at it for me (coaxial?) and charge up the battery. Got her started and I am going to go fuel up and put an additive in, then take it for an oil change this week to get a thinner oil in. For the other stuff (heat etc) I will look at that later.