Date:         Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:12:56 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Heat, vapor lock, won't start?
Comments: To: "A. Hurley" <ahurley@SHOPVIEWIT.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=response

it could indeed be the fuel tank is restricted for fuel pick-up, inside the
tank.
'they do that'  eventually sometimes.

I have not ever seen actual vapor lock on a vanagon, though I'm sure it's
possible.

here's when I expect vapor lock ...
things are hot, very hot, van is running, then shut off......for the next 10
to 15 minutes fuel just sits in the fuel hoses on the engine getting hotter
for a while.
If there is a mysterious 'won't start after that' then I might attribute
that to vapor lock.
And I have never seen it happen actually, on a vanagon.

I test fuel pressure on them all the time .
Now and then I find one with a fuel delivery problem.
sometimes I even run them off another fuel source to make sure it's the tank
itself that is the problem.

sometimes I'll run a fuel pressure gauge on one for a week ..
I don't like having another possible leak source on the engine to do that
test, but it's very assuring when you see good fuel pressure when it should
be there.
it's also nice to observe how long it holds fuel pressure after shutting
off.

I find 20 psi still there after a few hours, down to 10 psi overnight .. (
starting from 32 or so )
if the check valve that keeps pressure in the lines after shut off were not
working, and fuel pressure drops right away after shutting off ...
that could contribute to vapor lock happening.
Fuel lines are supposed to have almost full pressure on them for a while
after shutting down.

also altitude ...I consider vapor lock more likely at higher altitude.

Scott
www.turbovans.com



----- Original Message -----
From: "A. Hurley" <ahurley@SHOPVIEWIT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 8:38 PM
Subject: Heat, vapor lock, won't start?


> Hi,
>
> This problem seems to happen only when we go to Idaho in summer - each
> year I go through the temperature sensor, fuel filter, etc - in a panic
> and the van works fine in Seattle.
>
> It's a bit of a joke that it takes three times to start on a hot day - but
> it's not a joke when you can't get it to start at all.
>
> Today I went through the air filter, fuel filter, checked all the lines,
> and then found something online about a recall due to vapor lock.
>
> One mechanic told me to install a second fuel filter.
>
> We have taken off the gas cap.
>
> It starts fine in the morning and after twenty minutes at rest.
>
> It dies in odd places that could be dangerous.
>
> Is it the gas tank?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Andree