Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (February 2003, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 17 Feb 2003 09:50:15 -0700
Reply-To:     "Richard A. Jones" <Jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Richard A. Jones" <Jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: 81 won't start in Colorado
Comments: To: Dylan Spurgin <vanagon@MAIL.SPURGIN.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Dylan:

You didn't say WHERE in Colorado you '81 won't start. If you are above about 9000 feet, you may be having just normal behavior. If you are in the front range, then what I'm saying doesn't apply (to my VWs), but from what you say, you are still flooding.

I drove my '76 and my '81 all over the mtns in winter, skiing, etc. After many failures to start and begging pushes or tows from big SUVs, and messing with the cold start valve, I finally figured out that it is just a little too rich and you have one chance to get it started---crank with the pedal to the floor for max air and to rev it up if it catches. If it doesn't start the first time, you are flooded.

I don't know how many times I chugged 100 yards on the starter to get to the downhill slope after skiing at Brainard Lake. I bet I have 2-3 miles total on my starter! ;-)

I put a switch in the wire to the fuel pump. The switch is under the drivers seat. I just turn off the pump, keep cranking and when it catches, turn the pump back on. I have always been able to start with this switch.

With over 200,000 miles of this stuff in these two vans, I am convinced there is a design flow in the injection system. I suspect they didn't test at 10 degrees F and 10,000' elevation!

If I can help, call me at 303-601-0451 (cell).

Richard A. Jones Boulder, Colorado '81 Vanagon Mr Bus '87 Syncro Westy El Jefe


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.