Date:         Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:13:00 -0700
Reply-To:     Kyle Hamilton <aerowolf@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kyle Hamilton <aerowolf@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Won't start cold (85 2.1L)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hi,

I'm having (yet another) issue with my van.  It just won't start -- it
sounds like it's out of time, but adjusting the timing doesn't change
anything.  It did this before a few weeks ago, but I let it sit for a
couple of weeks and then went out to work on it, and it started right
up.

I checked the plugs, and they smell like gasoline (after I turn the
key 'on', and let the injectors prime the cylinders), and I tried
taking the plugs out and letting the cylinders dry out a bit (on the
idea I might have inadvertently flooded them).  No dice.

When I adjusted the timing, it felt and sounded like it was fighting
itself less, but I can't find any point of retarded timing that will
allow it to start at this point.

I also double-checked the battery ground, as I've had trouble with it
before.  It did not appear to have any effect.  (The engine itself is
well-grounded to the frame, with a battery ground cable.)

Does this sound like anything anyone's dealt with?  At this point, I'm
pretty sure it's not the fuel system, and the plugs were changed about
4k miles ago.  (cylinders 1 and 4 show evidence of running rich.  I
replaced the fuel injector on cyl. 4, and I expect it to improve a bit
as time goes on.)

Might it be the starter?  How can I go about diagnosing this?  I'm not
at home, so I don't have access to most of my diagnostic equipment
(what little of it I actually do have).

Thanks!

-Kyle Hamilton