Date:         Mon, 20 Sep 2004 09:32:47 +0200
Reply-To:     John Gearing <sgeaj@SAC.ECAPE.SCHOOL.ZA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Gearing <sgeaj@SAC.ECAPE.SCHOOL.ZA>
Subject:      '90 Syncro starting problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have a problem with my 1990 2.1 Syncro which I hope someone will be able to help cure. When I start it for the first time in the day, whether in the morning or the afternoon, or on a hot or cold day - it normally starts first time. However, if I stall it whilst reversing out of my driveway (or sometimes it just cuts out), it will often not start again. It cranks over just fine and sometimes will catch on one or two cylinders, but then splutters and dies. I have run my battery flat on many occasions trying to restart it. However if I get someone to push start the vehicle, it fires up and starts immediately.
 
I have searched the archives for similar symptoms, but have been unable to find any. In an attempt to cure the problem I have taken the vehicle to 3 different workshops and have done the following: 
 
new battery, new sparkplugs, new distributor cap and rotor, new suppressors, 
repair and renew starter motor, new fuel filter, set mixture, new electrical unit at ignition, 
compression test - replace inlet valve on one cylinder, fuel system cleaned.
 
After all these repairs, the fault is still exactly the same. Please help!
 
John G
South Africa