Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 08:40:26 -0400
Reply-To: Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Subject: Re: Help with starting problem.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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
