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Date:         Wed, 21 Apr 2004 20:28:19 -0700
Reply-To:     Norm - RoweBoat <norm@ROWEBOAT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Norm - RoweBoat <norm@ROWEBOAT.COM>
Subject:      Starting problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

We purchased a 1985 Vanagon about two weeks ago. It had been sitting for 3½ months (the owner had died). I got the keys, opened it up, put the key in the ignition, turned it, and the engine started immediately! We were doing just fine with it for three days, then it started doing something really screwy. It would start up just fine, but as soon as we turned it off again, it wouldn't start again. It would turn and turn and turn, but not even a cough or apparent attempt to fire. Gas pedal up, gas pedal floored, no difference. Even pumping the gas pedal did nothing. Spark was going to the plugs, gas was getting into the cylinders, but no start. Let it sit for 45 minutes or so and it will start up just fine. Doesn't make any difference if it's been driven for an hour or a minute and a half. Drive it a half a block, turn it off, and it won't start again for 45 minutes or so. For a majority of our driving, that's not a problem. But we can't turn off the engine at a gas station unless we're going to leave it at the pump for almost an hour! (Most gas station people don't like that.) If we're going in the store for just a few items, We're going to have to wait after we're done shopping. Put in a new battery. No difference. New plugs (no wires in stock), rotor, and distributor cap. No difference. Starts like a champ first thing in the morning. Drives very nicely and smoothly. Idles great. Turn it off, and it won't start again for a while. But 45 minutes or so later, it starts like a champ. Any ideas? Thanks.

Norm


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