Date:         Sat, 22 May 2004 18:15:03 -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:      Reassembled 1.9L from head gasket replacement won't start/idle
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Hello,

I finally got my 1.9L digijet engine put back together today after doing
a head gasket replacement and wanted to fire it up and pressurize the
coolant system to check for leaks before I send off my fuel injectors
for cleaning.  I had removed the FIs but put them back on.  I also
replaced the distributor rotor and cleaned the contacts in the cap.  I
think I may have wired the distributor wrong, and after moving the wires
I did get her to start, but she will only idle (roughly) with the gas
about halfway down.  My things to check and questions:

I realized after sealing and tightening down the first head that it was
on the wrong side.  I just moved the small metal piece blocking the
coolant port to the other head.  Will this matter? The heads are
symmetrical, arnt they?

I am going to recheck that my pushrods are seated properly.

I am pretty sure all my connectors and grounds are reattached correctly,
but I will verify.

I know that the ignition sequence is 1-4-3-2, but which cylinder is
which?  I assumed that cylinder 1 is the driver's side front cylinder, 2
is driver-back, 3 is passenger front and 4 is passenger-back.  Is this
right?

Whats the best way to check that my fuel injector plugs are connected
properly?

Finally, in cleaning the heads, I may have gunked up the spark plugs, so
I will replace those and check.

As a lot of fuel drained out when I removed the fuel injectors, do I
need to bleed the fuel system?  I loosened the nut at the T junction
before the FIs and it leaked out gas, so I assumed it had bled after
multiple start attempts

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks
Mike Braden