Faulty starting

My trident camper has been "hiccupping" over the last 6 months but no reason has been identified.
Last week I stopped to fill up with petrol but could not restart.  It was turning over fine.  The AA came but could not restart it so attached a tow bar.  He told me to switch on the ignition and it started!  I went to Hereford and came back with no problems except one hiccup.  I am reluctant to go to Scotland (as I had booked) as it is so far away.  I was going to take 2 days travelling but am worried in case I get stranded again.  Similar episode occurred in Derbyshire the week before.

For those not familiar with a "forum quirk" (which provides a field to put useful information in that is then not displayed when you read the message), this relates to a 1991 rear engined VW.

Unfortunately, what you really need is a mechanic that understands how to do old-fashioned engine diagnostic work, and that work can typically only be done when the fault is present. An AA man will probably give up when he discovers that there is no diagnostic port to plug a laptop computer into - these days they don't seem to be up to the task of any real fault-finding. They would far rather just tow it to the nearest garage and be on their way, in most cases...

It might be worth taking it to a garage (possibly one that specialises in classic cars) to have the ignition and fuel system checked over for any obvious faults, but if the problem doesn't occur while the garage has it, it is likely to remain.

Moi Rosalind!

I dont know your VW so well but if I were you I would clean/check carbarator put an inline fuel filter (if not fitted) and check your spark plugs and check/relace (if needed) your HT cables also inspect your points. Your conntact spinner may need replacing (little red or black thing inside the timming mechanism). Remember you only need 3 things in your engine fuel/air/spark check each one in turn.


Tervesia:

MF

As the fault is not there all the time I would have a leaning towards dirt in the fuel line. 
 
It is also possible as already suggested could be the spark plugs and not just the gap/sparking points but tracking can ocur where there is dirt build up on the ceramic part of the plug.

35 years ago I had a similar problem with my V8 petrol Range Rover, absolute swine to start, but once running, it was perfect, everything checked out or changed, finally turned out to be a worn distributor top-bearing, this allowed the rotor-shaft to 'wobble' & alter or even close the points-gap, but once it DID fire, the higher rotation speed somehow centralised the rotor & it ran fine, that is, until it was stopped. 
Easy to check, simply pull the rotor from the shaft, grasp the top where the cam is & try & pull it back & forth, any movement will reveal wear.
Another failing in that area, apart from the points, themselves is the condenser, the usually silver thing that resembles a little battery with one wire coming out, this very important little hicky, is vital for correct spark-making.

Hi From the first post i would go for a faulty intermittant ignition switch.

regards

Mike

Or the fuel cutoff solenoid on the carb?

Frank

Hi Rosalind
I'm assuming your T25 is water cooled, petrol and 1.9 and not the 2.1 fuel injected engine. If so a common problem is the worn bush on the starter motor causing the engine to turn over but too slowly, which can result in hit and miss starting. 
Regards
John

Just heard Rosalinds van not sorted yet.

Added to that her PC has broken down hence us not getting any feedback as she hasnt seen your suggestions.