I have a Ford Transit based motorhome, built in 1992, with a diesel engine that will not start.

I called out a local mobile mechanic, who thought it might be the seals / gaskets on the fuel injection pump, but he has replaced them and it still will not start. He does not know what the problem is, but thinks it might be electrical or the fuel pump possibly.
The battery has also recently been replaced by the same mechanic.

Previously the van has started first time, every time, and we drove it from England to Spain in March without any problems, other than it stalling when over – revved.
I only moved it 100 metres to a new parking spot last week, and it started first time, but 3 days later when I went to move it to a permanent parking space it would not start.

Any ideas = the mechanic is stumped !!

Leigh, August 2012

I suspect its loss of compression get mechanic to check even if he has done past visits and found nothing. Read up this site to see how it works and look for compression faults.
I had in my time 20 old bangers road worthy but needed nursing. One 1949 standard flying 12 nice runner. Other two had faulty valves cleaned them re-seated them fine started straight away) sometime they woul run on 3 cylinders. However I think diesels need all cylinders.
Take a look on this site give full cycle of working of a diesel engine. www.kent4x4offroading.co.uk/how_does_a_diesel_engine_work.htm if it doesn't come up in your search engine box type how does a diesel engine work then look for the above website.
sorry doesn't show faults but may give ideas what to look for try another mobile mechanic or get hime back show him the info on the site.

bob, August 2012