Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 03:23:13 EDT
Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject: 83.5 Runs for about 4 seconds
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My Vanagon has been sitting for about 6 months without running for a myriad
of complicated reasons--most having to do with injury, finances, and work
scehdule. It ran fine when I parked it 6 months earlier.
Finally getting back to the bus I started it and it runs like a bear for
about 5 seconds. (5 Seconds is actually longer than it sounds in the scheme of
things.) It runs good and strong in that time at idle without touching the
accelerator. Then it just dies all together.
I'm not sure if touching the acclerator will kill it--but I think it will.
It's difficult to check because I can start it and let it run the 5 seconds
about 5 times. Then she doesn't want to start at all.
I've checked all the vacuum lines and they seem to be in good condition.
Nothing clogging the air filter. The gasoline does not smell of varnish, and I
think if that were the problem it would not start at all. The fuel filter
before the pump is due for a replacement, but I did remove it to check it and can
blow through it with ease--I'm not sure if that proves it's not clogged. I
temporarily reinstalled it.
I'm suspecting the fuel pump. But I'm not all that savvy with the electric
pump system.
My theory is the pump can get up enough pressure to start the engine but
can't keep the supply or pressure up to keep her going.
The pump is making an intermittment noise that can be heard at the pump. It
can;t be heard from the driver's seat. The frequency of the noise is in sync
with a noise from the fuel pump relay. I'm not sure if the two relays in the
private "high voltage" box are both for the fuel pump. But at least one of
them is definately making an audible rapid clicking sound in about one second
intervals (one second on one second off) when the ignition switch is on with
the bus NOT running. The sound from the pump is in the same one second
intervals and sounds like it could be the sound of the pump normally running with a
slight squeak and a slight sucking sound.
I'm not sure if this pulsing is normal, but I suspect it's not.
I replaced the fuel lines and fuel regulator about 4 years ago. So I guess
not all that recently. The pump appears to be the original.
I'm looking for suggestions on what to look for and how to tell if the fuel
supply/pump/relays could be the culpret--or what else I might be looking for.
And it's worth mentioning again, for those 5 seconds the bus runs it sounds
great.
Thanks,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA