Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2006 17:55:09 -0400
Reply-To: Stu Schwartz <sschwartz999i@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stu Schwartz <sschwartz999i@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Won't Start
In-Reply-To: <003701c66874$90bf77c0$c70f4ed8@workshop32>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Thank you all for the help. I went out today and it started up. Lot's of white smoke at first.
But it seems to be running fine. It was very humid and rainy when it wouldn't start...maybe the
points were wet?
--peace--
stu
On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 09:28:44 -0500, Raceingcajun wrote:
>Hi Stu,
> Was your van running and all of a sudden wouldn't start, or is it a new
>to van and you don't have any history?
> Anyway, you need gas, fire, and air in the right mixture, among other
>things, compression, etc. All at the right time for the engine to run.
> That said, check for spark at the plugs first since its easiest. Pull
>any plug wire at the plug and put a screw driver in the end, and hold the
>shaft close to some metal that is grounded. "Be careful", ignition spark can
>really "Zap" you. Have someone turn the engine over. If there is no spark,
>then you have an ignition problem. Coil, distributor pick up, bad cap,
>rotor, etc.
> If you have spark, them check for fuel delivery. This can be done by
>removing the small vacuum hose from the air intake boot, and spraying some
>flammable (some are not) aerosol carburetor cleaner in the air boot, and
>trying to start the engine. If the engine starts and dies, you have a fuel
>delivery problem, check fuel pump for operation, fuel pump relay, etc. I
>don't like to use "Starting Fluid" as it is made for Diesel engines and it
>makes a very violent explosion, and may cause internal engine damage.
> Don't start a Starting Fluid war out there. I know people use it all the
>time on gas engines, but all it takes is one bent rod to make it not worth
>it!
> Checking timing without the engine running will only be a base timing. A
>in the "ball park" setting so to speak. Remove the distributor cap, and with
>the key off, turn the engine by hand until the timing mark on the crank
>pulley is at TDC. There is a very small "notch" on the top lip of the
>distributor housing, the rotor should point at it, and line up with it.
>Remember that the rotor points at #3 cylinder every other revolution, so
>you may have to turn twice to get it to line up at the same time as the
>crank pulley.
> If all of these things check out, give us a yell and we'll go from
>there. Good luck, let us know.
>Howard
>Subject: Won't Start
>> My 1991 Vanagon won't start. The battery is new and it turns without any
>problem. Started seems to be turning...it just
>> won't start. It should be getting gas but I don't smell it. Any ideas?
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