Are you sure your timing is correct? Try disconnecting the idle stabilizer and double-check. How does it run with it by-passed? The stabilizer could be shot. They do tend to run rich on cold starts. Could be valve-related. A collapsed lifter could prevent the exhaust valve from opening. Any lifter noise? Check out Boston Bob's lifter adjustment technique. http://www.bostonengine.com/articles.html Put a gauge on the test port to check the fuel pressure. There is a metal connector that has a small screw you remove to attach a piece of fuel line and a gauge. (It is near the distributor on your '85.) Should have around 28 psig at idle and 32-36 with the vacuum line removed from the fuel pressure regulator. Shut off the engine and see if it holds pressure. It should not drop for quite a while. If it drops immediately, you may have a leaking injector or injectors. Jay
Ronald D Maxseiner <RONMAXSEINER@PRODIGY.NET>@gerry.vanagon.com> on 06/13/2002 11:12:47 PM Please respond to Ronald D Maxseiner <RONMAXSEINER@PRODIGY.NET> Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM cc: Subject: Help with starting problem.
Before I bring my van to an untested repair shop I was hoping for some help from the list. I've had bad luck with repair shops in my area and would really like to avoid taking it to one. I'm reasonably handy but I don't even know where to start with this problem. My problem is that the van is backfiring when it is starting. Not all the time but every fifth or sixth time. It also seems to happen more when the engine is hot. This seems to be causing my exhaust header on the left rear cylinder to slowly be blown apart. I've tried repairing the header with a patch kit but every time it backfires the repair is blown apart. Here are my guesses as to what it could be. 1. Leaky fuel injector on this cylinder. While it is sitting it leaks gas and on start-up it backfires. This seems to fit the symptoms and is my pick but how do I test this? 2. Running rich when it is starting. This doesn't explain why only one cylinder would be having a problem. 3. Leaky exhaust is causing the backfire. (Is this possible??) 4. ???? Any help would be greatly appreciated, Ron Maxseiner 1985 GL Stinky Pete |
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