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Date:         Tue, 4 Dec 2007 14:54:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: So thar I was (Engine wouldn't start)
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <00cd01c836bd$d7ff70e0$6401a8c0@TOSHIBALAP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

On Dec 4, 2007, at 2:37 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.

Was I snoozin when this was discussed? Are these FLAPS accessible or where? Why don't I have one?????

Tom B.-you can never have too many tools, even if you don't use em

> 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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