Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 12:27:08 -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: <c4e7c5f90712040902g5bb77c77l1618aea20784e109@mail.gmail.com>
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No big puddles. Van sitting broadside to 40 mph wind and rain for 24
hours. Wasn't driving when it was raining. Weather side of van was
driver's side, unlikely water got into fuel supply, unless you know
something I don't.
I don't think these WBX engines have engine tin, do they? My aircooled
1600dp does.
But anyway, packing list for next trip now contains:
1. WD-40
2. 99% methyl hydrate. Is there a brand name product I should ask for at
my FLAPS or am I going to need to find a smart counterperson?
--
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 9:02 AM neil N wrote:
> Hi Mike
>
> Off the top of my head in a hurry.....
>
> a remote starter
>
> 99% methyl hydrate to add to gas tank. (did water get in your fuel?.....
> sideways rain)
>
> I doubt sideways rain *at a standstill* would have done the deed to any
> ignition parts, but any big puddles? Water could get onto/into ignition
> parts that way. (not likely if all "tin" in place)
>
> Gotta go!
>
> Neil.
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> On Dec 4, 2007 8:29 AM, Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@gmail.com
> <mailto: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
>
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia -
> "Jaco" (Bustorius) http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
>
> Engine swap beginings: http://musomuso.googlepages.com/home
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