Date:         Mon, 24 May 2004 09:46:13 -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:      Resolved: Vanagon GL 90 2.1L engine unexpectedly stalls while
              driving
In-Reply-To:  <BAY17-F9Vd94wyrvK0K00084c3f@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Thank you everyone for your info, tips, and suggestions.  While replacing the spark plugs, I checked the compression of each cylinder.  While they are all low (110-120 psi), cylinder one was definitely too low (0).  I checked the pushrods and re-seated the one that felt like it wasn't quite in there.  I also put the old cap/rotor back on just in case.  After no startings at all a few times, and wondering why my spark plug wire to cylinder 1 was so tight, I got the wires connected right and she started up just fine. Did a quick fill/one person "bleed" of the coolant system.  The brakes were making some funny noise (2 months of disuse maybe?)  So I turned back from a test drive and got a little hesitation coming back up the slight hill to my house.  The idle is also seemingly a little rough and giving a ~30 Hz vibration.  Ah well, she seems to be holding her seal, so the next step is to send off the injectors for cleaning, replace the plug wires, maybe replace the air flow meter ($$$, but I can see deep tracks in the circuit and ohmmeter jumps when testing), make sure I have the right cap/rotor in there and get those brakes looked at.  Thanks again!

aloha
Mike Braden

> 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