Date:         Wed, 18 Dec 2002 13:26:38 -0500
Reply-To:     Dan Erlandson <danoer1@ECLIPSE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dan Erlandson <danoer1@ECLIPSE.NET>
Subject:      Tough to start on cold mornings
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So it was about 16 o F this morning in NJ and this was the second time where
my wife had trouble starting the Van when it was down into the teens.  Don't
think we have had many mornings as cold as this one.  The other time it had
trouble was about 2 weeks ago. The van has been starting and running fine
otherwise.
My wife tells me that it cranks, starts for a moment and then dies.  I've
come out both times and gotten it started by cranking it and keeping the gas
pedal down.  It has taken a few attempts but I have gotten it started both
times... runs fine after that.  Before she finally starts it sounds as if
the engine is stuttering.. trying to start, but doesn't quite catch.  Turn
the key and it cranks normally and then skip, skip skip as it tries to
start.
I ran some fuel injector cleaner through last time this happened... and just
last night the gas tank was down very low... into the reserve.
My battery is good (I think) and is about 2 years old (VW brand), the coil
was replaced a few years ago using a FLAPS brand, and there is a Bosch
starter on it that we had put in about 3 years ago.
She has been running great otherwise.

Anybody have some thoughts???  Thanks
--
Dan Erlandson
Flemington, NJ
danoer1@eclipse.net
91 VW Vanagon GL
99 VW Passat