Date:         Wed, 11 Jul 2012 03:05:13 +0000
Reply-To:     Skip <skiplaubach@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Skip <skiplaubach@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      No Start Phenomenon - then corrected!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

'84 Westy, 1.9 case with a 2200cc (96mm pistons) GoWesty Kit

Interesting experience this evening.  I drove Pearl (formerly Vanna, now named Pearl with the rebuilt engine - 1500 miles so far) to the office and back today.  Lot's of stop and go traffic (local suburban Chicago stoplights) on the way home.  I mention this as I shifted frequently through the gears...think warm/hot clutch maybe?  Ambient temps in the mid-80's, low humidity.

Then, upon arrival at homestead, I cooked some hot italian sausage on the grill (another story)...then returned to the garage for some fine-tuning of the timing and idle.

After removing the hatch, etc., I walked up to start the engine, reached in through the open door (shifter at neutral) and turned the key.  Nothing.  Then again, nothing.  A few more times (fuel pump pumping each time).  Started (no pun intended) to wonder?  I checked the voltage at the starter (12.6), at the alternator for kicks (12.6), checked the battery - good.

Went back to give it another go, same thing.  Then I smelled "electrical heat".  I went back to the engine and sourced it from the starter.  OK.  Then I grabbed the Bentley, Haynes, and the "VW Transporter Workshop Manual (1982-1989), Owners Edition" (printed in England) - pretty good one, IMHO.  No help in Bentley this time.  Haynes and the other one were pretty good (trouble-shooting guides).  Said it may be the "starter motor pinion jammed", starter solenoid defective, even ignition switch.

Replaced lot's of new stuff over the winter, including ignition switch, starter, grounds new and cleaned, new battery, and more.

So, I read in Haynes that the clutch might be "stuck", plus some other checks with the headlights on (checking for battery goodness and voltage to the engine - OK).  I returned to the garage, got in the van, buckled up, pushed in the clutch and the engine cranked!...still no start.   Hmmm...maybe it's flooded.  (2 minute pause here...)  Went back out just now and it started right up, albeit with a pretty good squeak from the belt?

So, my conclusion is that with all the traffic-driving today, the clutch kind of "stuck" after I shut her down and she cooled off, and when I tried starting the van without the clutch pressed in, the engine wouldn't turn over. Then when I depressed the clutch pedal, all was well.

That's my story.  Any comments, contradictions, similar experience appreciated!

Skip