Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 14:38:49 -0500
Reply-To: Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Walter Houle <whoule@ECSCONTROLS.COM>
Subject: Re: So thar I was (Engine wouldn't start)
Mike -
This always happens to my van too. I'm one mountain over, so we're seeing
the same conditions - fog, horizontal rain, and high wind gusts. We're
also right above a desert - so things dry out very quickly once the clouds
lift. I found that parking the van with the nose pointing into the wind
actually helps - the storms always come in out of the SSW and it shields
the engine compartment somewhat. When thoroughly soaked with condensation,
my engine will start, but it won't rev much over 1,000 RPM or so without
breaking up. So, I usually limp it down the hill sputtering for 1/2 mile
or so, keep it idling with the throttle, and voila! it clears up and runs
fine. My wife is not at all happy with this technique, but it always
works. Using WD-40 or wire drying spray will certainly help speed the
process. I will try this as well.
Walter
1985 Vanagon 1.9
On Tue, 4 Dec 2007 08:29:25 -0800, 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
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