Date:         Wed, 28 Mar 2001 12:27:09 -0600
Reply-To:     Marshall Ruskin <mjruskin@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marshall Ruskin <mjruskin@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Re: Strange" no start" symptoms(long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Timing checked out OK?

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Max/Joyce Wellhouse" <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 4:34 AM
Subject: Strange" no start" symptoms(long)


> 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