Date:         Sun, 4 Dec 2005 10:39:39 -0800
Reply-To:     Evan Mac Donald <macdonald1987@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Evan Mac Donald <macdonald1987@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Van won't start with strong gas smell...
In-Reply-To:  <35261daf0512041012x757f66e4o89ed45d660532eef@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

For safety, first FIND THE SOURCE OF THAT FUEL LEAK!!! When that is repaired or at least localized, then start trouble shooting. And since this is a "major" fault, it should be easy to find out which of the Infernal Combustion engine "Big Three" it is.
  1)  Are you getting spark? If the plugs don't fire, you do not have "secondary" ignition. If you don't, check for power to the coil. That's "primary" ignition. If you don't have that, then it's likely a wiring issue.
  2)  Are you getting fuel? If the tail pipe smells of fuel, then you are. If it doesn't then you aren't. Check for fuel pump function, then maybe if the injectors are workingas required.
  3)  Are you getting air? This is the least likely cause of Vanagon no-start issues. If the air vane arm has gotten stuck, the engine will usually still start, it just won't do any more than idle, badly.

  There are a thousand or more individual things that can stop working, and keep you from running. Hall Sender, ECU, ignition switch, ... ...you get the idea. But before you worry about thast, find out which set of controls you are needing to fix: air, fuel, or spark.

Jim Quan <full360@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
  List population,

Van has been sitting for a few weeks while we sell of our beloved '98
Audi A4 Avant Quattro wagon. We have three cars now and only need two,
the third car is a new addition from my business and I don't want to
sell the Syncro Westy so unfortunately the Audi has to go.

Went out to take it and the family to get our Christmas tree and it
wouldn't start. Seemed like it wasn't getting any fuel. Noticed a
strong gasoline smell and some gasoline leaking onto the driveway.
Could this be the fuel lines? Maybe sitting for an extended period and
the cooler weather created this problem. No matter, I am looking to
the list once again to steer me in the right direction before I dive
in and fix the problem.

Thanks,

Jim
1991 Syncro Westy