Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:37:43 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: A newbie needing hard starting help
In-Reply-To: <361701.20751.qm@web54304.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
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On 8/15/09, Rene Ditton <rditton@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hello!
>
.... My husband and I recently purchased
> an '83 Westy with a rebuilt '87 2.1 watercooled engine from a Syncro. .....
> It's hart to start. When it's cranked cold, it has a bit of a delay before
> kicking over (a fraction of a second).
>
> We're in Alaska now and have replaced the starter & bushing (per the
> instructions on the list which were GREAT!). With the new starter, came no
> change. It's still as hard to start as before.
.....
>
> The other little things we're having a problem with may not be important,
> but if it's related somehow I just want to mention it. We have a dual
> battery system, though we're not sure it is hooked up correctly. The
> refrigerator runs fine on 110 and propane, but won't hold temperature while
> on the battery. ......
>
> And one final question. We have the Bentley manual and have been
> contemplating purchasing the John Muir book How to keep your VW alive - but
> it appears it's geared to an air cooled. Would the book benefit us, having
> a watercooled engine?
I would suggest the Muir book if you two are new to wrenching and/or
into getting your hands dirty. Heck. Even if you don't become hands
on, still useful IMO. It does offer *some* pertinent advice. Maybe
find one on sale or just read one at the library? ;) Personally I
like the pictures!
Fridge on 12V ? I just tested mine on 12V. Was never wired for 12V.
Fins got fairly cool fairly quickly. My feeling is that it should work
fine. i.e. 12V element on fridge ok. And this fridge was a little
abused by PO.
Start with checking the fuse first, (Bentley should show where this
is) but here's why I mention my fridge. I had it hooked up straight
to battery/charger for testing purposes. My point: dirty or corroded
contacts/wires will likely reduce the juice getting to the fridge.
Possibly there is no power geting to the fridge. Check if 12V present.
Start at aux. battery to check it's condition, then trace all the way
to connector at fridge. (under sink in cabinet). This way you also see
condition of things. Beyond that, you need to pull the fridge IIRC.
Bottom line: I bet PO did wiring wrong, or poorly, and/or things are
dirty, or maybe just the fuse.
Re: starter. A long shot, but is it possible the engine has higher
than stock compression? This might account for the starter behaviour.
Anyone know if this is possible?
Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
