Date:         Wed, 19 Oct 2005 19:49:27 -0500
Reply-To:     Tim Marciniak <tmarciniak@WI.RR.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Marciniak <tmarciniak@WI.RR.COM>
Subject:      Hard Starting Cold and Hot
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

I have a 90 Vanagon 2.1L with Automatic, 95k, that I am having hard
starting problems with when the engine is cold and when it is hot.

When cold it starts readily but the idle is fairly lumpy and if I press
on the accelerator there is a major lack of power and it seems just
like a spark plug miss.  After about 1-2 minutes the idle evens out and
it runs ok.

When the engine is hot if I turn it off and try to start it about 1-5
minutes later it starts fine.  If I try to start it about 15-30 minutes
after it was completely warmed up it is very difficult to start.  The
starter spins the motor fine but it does not start.  In order to start
i have to press the accelerator pedal to the floor and the crank the
key like you do with a flooded carbuerated engine---in a few seconds it
then starts and the idle evens out and it runs fine.

What I've done so far:

-cleaned up ALL grounds
-added two additional ground wires, one from the tranny to the body and
another from the starter housing to the neg on the battery
-new o2 sensor about 5k ago
-cleaned idle stabilization valve and it hums
-new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, rotor and distrib cap are ok
-checked engine vacuum--no leaks
-checked intake system--no false air
-checked throttle switch--ok
-replaced coolant temp sensor
-checked air flow sensor--ok
-checked fuel pressure--ok--residual pressure ok
-checked ignition timing--ok


things i have not done:
--pulled and check the fuel injectors, I cant see why it would be this
when it runs fine otherwise
--not sure how to check the idle stabilizer control unit

I am close to giving up on this problem and take it to my local
mechanic.  It has been a long time since I had to take the van in since
I have been able to fix most everything that has gone wrong with this
van.

I would appreciate any suggestions from the list.  I would sure like to
fix this problem on my own.

Tim
90 Multivan (hard starter)
95 Passat GLX
03 New Beetle Turbo S
89 Jetta GL
99 Jetta