Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 13:43:14 -0800
Reply-To: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: So thar I was (Engine wouldn't start)
In-Reply-To: <00cd01c836bd$d7ff70e0$6401a8c0@TOSHIBALAP>
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Where's a fellow get one-a them remote starter switches? What be the
best way to hook it up if it's 35F outside and the van is sitting in a
2'' deep puddle of water?
On thing's for sure: we'll be calling AAA on Ye Celle Phone before we
soak our fat white a$$ in icy water and then try to see whether there is
spark while standing in 40 mph wind.
I have cell service in that location. YMMV.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR
On 12/4/2007 1:37 PM Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote:
> Nice story.
> I've said this about a hundred times, and I'll just keep saying it - never
> go anywhere without a remote starter switch. It's a fantastically useful
> tool, both for cranking the engine by yourself when you are by the engine,
> and for diagnostic purposes. Can't say it enough.
> The cost benefit ratio, considering the size of the tool, what they cost,
> and what they can do, like rescue your butt, or help you work on the van by
> yourself is about 5,000 to one.
> I'd rather go without a spare tire than not have this simple tool always
> with me, they are that useful. I'd rather carry one of these than a fire
> extinguisher almost, if I had to choose.
> Not having one of these in your bag of tricks or tool box or spare parts
> stash would be like not having a flashlight or head lamp along. I think
> I've made my point. I hope it has some impact.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Jake de Villiers
> Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 8:49 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: So thar I was (Engine wouldn't start)
>
> If it was moisture, take along a can of WD-40 - Water Displacement is what
> it does best.
>
> Some more description of the engine's behaviour when it did finally start
> might be helpful....
>
>
> On Dec 4, 2007 8:29 AM, Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> All adventure tales should start with, "So thar I was . . ." This alerts
>> the listener that some old codger is about to embark on a long, rambling,
>> and ultimately pointless tale.
>>
>> This alerted, the smart listener knows that it time to leave the room,
>> mumbling some excuse about needing to check the mail or get a lung
>> removed.
>>
>> But anyways.
>>
>> So thar I was last Friday, camping at 6,000 feet in the mountains east of
>> San Diego. We were having a record storm: 40 mph winds, several inches of
>> rain, and lows in the middle 30's (F). By many standards, that ain't much
>> of a storm, but around here it's notable.
>>
>> Mellow Yellow was parked broadside to the wind and while the gusts shook
>> the van, the poptop showed no sign of stress. However, the force of the
>> wind pushed water right through the fabric on the weather side. Things got
>> a little damp in the spice rack.
>>
>> The rain blew horizontally. All day and all night.
>>
>> In the morning, the rain had stopped, but the wind continued. Easily
>> Beaufort 7 (moderate gale). I packed up and went to start the engine, but
>> it didn't want to cooperate.
>>
>> Cranked and cranked and cranked. But there was no indication of
>> combustion. I paused, thinking, "I don't want to have to call for help! I
>> just want to go home to Mrs Squirrel."
>>
>> After waiting a bit, I tried again -- lots of cranking, and after a bit
>> the engine caught -- grudgingly, it seemed -- and shortly thereafter I was
>> on my way home.
>>
>> Here's the thing: I am scheduled to go up that mountain every month and
>> spend a couple of nights. December, January, and February. If the engine
>> didn't want to start this last time, I worry that it might be worse next
>> time. it might not start at all.
>>
>> I don't know what the problem was. There was gear covering the engine
>> hatch, my fingers were cold, and I didn't have an assistant to crank the
>> engine while I checked for spark or other stuff (actually, checking for
>> spark is about the limit of my skills, anyway).
>>
>> Cold, altitude -- those both cold affect starting, I reckon. I wonder also
>> whether a full day and night of sideways horizontal rain might have gotten
>> the ignition parts wet. I don't have enough information to hazard a guess.
>>
>> So my question is: if you had just had this experience, what would you
>> have done? What might you bring along the next time to help get the darn
>> engine started, in the snow or rain, with no one to assist?
>>
>> --
>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
>> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
>> KG6RCR
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> Crescent Beach, BC
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/
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