Date:         Mon, 2 Feb 2004 13:01:17 -0500
Reply-To:     Mike Braden <mbraden@PHARMACY.PURDUE.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Braden <mbraden@PHARMACY.PURDUE.EDU>
Subject:      Strange hard start when warm, symptom getting worse
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

For a while now I've been putting off diagnosing a strange hard start
problem I've been having, but one of the symptoms seems to be getting
worse.  The van starts fine when cold, a little hesitant when its <20°F.
After the van has warmed up some, say driving a short distance, and
stopped, there are the following symptoms:

Immediate turning over of the engine never "catches", just keeps turning
over without hesitation.  If I wait until I hear the fuel pump priming
(sometimes 3-4 seconds), and then turn the engine over, there is usually
a little hesitatation then it turns over again and catches.  Lately, and
especially with the cold weather we have been having, that hesitation
has been a real struggle for the engine to turn over.  In addition, now
when I try and start immediately (not waiting for the fuel pump to
prime), it is trying really hard to turn over the engine.

I recently replaced the Temp Sensor (2?...at water pump), so I don't
suspect that.  Could it be as simple as a failing start motor?  Wouldn't
I have starting problems all the time, not just when hot?  Could it be a
relay issue, as I have to wait for the fuel pump to prime?  Any ideas
would be greatly appreciated.

aloha
Mike Braden
'83 Van 1.9L '85 engine