Date:         Mon, 17 Feb 2003 10:27:10 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 81 won't start in Colorado
Comments: To: Jones@COLORADO.EDU
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Do 91 vanagons have this problem too with high altitudes? ? ?

Couldn't you just take the fuse out for the fuel pump and then stick it back
in... well, that would be awkward - wouldn't it?

>From: "Richard A. Jones" <Jones@COLORADO.EDU>

>If you are
>above about 9000 feet....
>>
>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!
>
>                         Richard A. Jones
>                         Boulder, Colorado
>

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