Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2006 09:28:44 -0500
Reply-To: Raceingcajun <raceingcajun47@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Raceingcajun <raceingcajun47@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: Won't Start
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
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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