Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2012 22:19:17 -0700
Reply-To: Aaron Robinson <a.robinson.lists@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Aaron Robinson <a.robinson.lists@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Never brag (and please help get my van started...)
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Hello.
Our 87 westy has been running well for the last 2 years. But now seems to
have an issue. Perhaps brought on by a lack of humility on my part. Read on
for more info.
When I first got it, it needed an exhaust and a number of little things,
which tuned into snapped off studs on the passenger cylinder head resulting
in replacing the head. Since that and a bad running issue (broken ground
wire in harness) it's been running well and weve had no issues. It did
always seem to require more cranking than any of the other 2 vans I've had,
but always started.
Fast forward 2 years.
8 weeks ago - hard start and rough warmup after 2 nights at Mt. Rainier. I
figured it was cold, but it really wasn't that bad. ~15-20F.
6 weeks ago - the hard starting is seems a little more noticeable.
Stunbles/runs a little rough after it first starts. "perhaps it that temp2
sender that I never replaced". I think about doing it. We don't drive it
all that often, so it's always "I'll get to it later".
2 weeks ago - brake pedal starting to drop while at stoplights. Figure I
should replace the master cylinder before plowing into the back of someone.
3 days ago - pick up some parts (seats and seatbelts to prepare for kid #3
coming in 6 weeks) from a listee who is parting out a van. Tell him "it's
been running great". Big mistake!!!
3 days ago - while backing out of said listee's driveway, shifter was stuck
in reverse. The bushings by the tranny were worn and ironically chose that
moment to get stuck. Got it unstuck and drove home slightly more humble.
2 days ago - pull van into garage to replace the master cylinder. While
driving the van up to the garage, it was very hard to start and ran rough.
Very unusual. Time to replace the temp2 sender? Focus on brakes first.
Today - Fix brakes. Start van and it's really rough. It dies and I try to
start van and nothing but cranking. Temp sender? Replace and enjoy the
coolant bath. Still nothing but cranking.
Now I'm beginning to be much humbler. for quick checks, I pulled the
injectors. I have fuel. I also checked all plugs and have spark. While at
it checked compression - ~135 on passenger cylinders. ~145 on driver
cylinders. Thought "perhaps it's a vacuum leak". Wasted most of a bottle of
brake cleaner and burned a hole in the ozone trying to find a vacuum leak.
It's touch to say though since it wasn't actually running. Exhaust smells
of gas after some time cranking.
I now realized that my downfall was saying "it's been running great".
Instead I should have said "it starts and runs. What else should I ask
for?" Now I come humbly and ask for assistance. I'd call myself an advanced
novice. What would help me most is a sequence of things to check. I can do
the labor part, but the understanding the system/thinking is always what
gets me. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge, vacuum gauge, timing light,
but I do have a multimeter and a 5 year old to ask me questions while I
look at things.
Thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. The wife is beginning to like the
sound of "new minivan".
Humbly,
Aaron
'87 Westy
Bremerton, WA