Date:         Tue, 4 Jun 2002 19:30:17 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Installed new clutch,
              "used-in-good-condition,recently-rebuilt transmission, and, now,
              "no start."
Comments: To: "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

An apparently sluggish starter may have an unrelated cause. Here are a
few things to try and see if one helps.

Try cranking the starter with the clutch pedal to the floor and see if
the engine turns any faster. If so, maybe bad tranny.

Try turning the engine a couple complete turns by hand or with a wrench
on the crank pulley bolt to see if it turns freely. If not, take out the
spark plugs and check each for flooding. Then see if it turns very fast
with the starter while the plugs are out. This will also blow any fluids
out of the cylinders through the spark plugs holes.

Another cause may well be the starter bushing in the tranny bell housing
but this is hard to determine with the tranny installed. Did you perhaps
look closely at it before installing the tranny? A rebuild does not
necessarily mean this external bushing was replaced.


Mark

"Thomas D. Hanlon" wrote:
>
> Listees,
>
> The subject describes most of the problem.
>
> I installed this week a new LUK clutch kit in my '84 Westfalia.  The
> project included surfacing of the flywheel, the fittings of new throwout
> bearing, new throwout bearing guide, new pilot bearing, felt seal,
> spacer, and new CV joint boots and the grease involved.. The
> "recently-rebuilt" (according to the PO)  091/1 transmission came from
> an '84 GL donor which I've acquired.
>
> The Westy was running "close" to perfectly before the clutch
> installation and the transmission exchange. I have made certain that the
> transmission-to-chassis ground connection is shiny, intact and seated..
> The connections to the starter are as they were in the installation of
> the previously perfectly operating starter which I transferred from the
> Westy. (THe sarter int he donor van is in need of rebuilding. Before
> dismantling any components, I tagged all the wires and connections. The
> battery is charged. to capacity.  The ignition switch is operating as it
> has, previously. Yet, the starter just barely "lugs," and gives the
> impression that the it is not getting enough "juice" to turn the
> flywheel .... and the engine does not "fire."
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to solve this "no start"
> problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tom Hanlon
> Palm Springs, CA
> 84 Westfalia