Date:         Wed, 28 Mar 2001 04:34:59 -0600
Reply-To:     Max/Joyce Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Max/Joyce Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
Subject:      Strange" no start" symptoms(long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Running out of patience with my 90 GL.  After removingthe old motor and
installing a 1'2 Lilley from Bob, I get ready to start the engine and it
doesn't want tot fire.

I check the conections, I check for spark, I open up the fuel T and there's
gas getting that far.

One thing that appears to be different from before the engine R&R is that
now, when I turn on the ignition switch, my accessory vdo op and oil temp
gauges rise up to their mormal "0" location, but when the starter is
engaged, both needles drop way back to the left of their normal resting
spots, almost as if there's a short or the polarity of the gauge wires is
getting  reversed(they haven't been at least by my hands and they worked
fine before the swap).

After grinding on the starter for 20-25 seconds, when the key returns to the
ignition on position, the oil pressure gauge begins reading  a drop from a
30 pound reading or so  What's going on here???.

Some off list help from Darrell B. steered me to try a different ECU to see
ifthat would get the van going,   NOT SO!  The van has actually coughed and
tried to start a couple times, but instantly quits.  Pulling the plugs
reveals a very wet porcelain center.  I pulled each injector bank
outindividually and did the crank test, but the spray of the injectors was
just that, more of a constant spray than a pulsing type effect like I was
led to believe it should be.  I guess they could be pulsing and it just
seemed like a spray as I haven't any experience in watching injectors.

I was really hoping to use the old FI system to break in the new motor for
the first 1000 miles or so and then switch over to the new Haltech system,
but now I'm forging ahead with the rewiring of the back end of the van and
installing what will hopefully fix the problem.  A long article is brewing
on the ups and downs of the haltech installation, but hopefully it will all
be worth it in the end.  I really want to hear this motor run.

As an aside, it's been interesting watching the cooling system slowly fill
up as the back end is elevated at this time.  Initially got about 2 gallons
in the totally dry system,then opened up the air bleed on the top of the T
stat housing and another gallon or so went in, and every day or so for thew
last 10 or so days, the expansion tank level will drop, and I'll add more
coolant.  I've got almost all of the 4 gallons that was premixed, and should
then only have another half gallon to go while doing that all-important
first 30 min of engine running.

Can anybody help me with my starting problem??  TIA

Dimwitted Moose and Flying Squirrel