Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:30:04 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Intermittent hard starting
In-Reply-To: <CAJRLdXa==KaJf+n05R-vgLVC8qytWW4VaiZ8u2bFW1zw6P1wxg@mail.gmail.com>
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Define "horrible" gas mileage. If really out of range then likely you are
running rich or have a miss-fire situation. Poor engine condition can also
be a problem. With the hard warm re-start issue I would begin at the temp 2
sensor or more likely the wiring, connector, or ground. A bad connection or
resistance in the ground path will make the ECU think the engine is colder
than it is. In the extreme this will prevent the ECU from going into closed
loop, O2 sensor controlled operation. The milder symptom is hard warm
restarts due to the overly rich mixture flooding the engine. Like starting
and older engine with the choke stuck closed. Also, the temp2 sensor and the
gauge sensors are different. Many vans have sensors with the same connector.
I have seen a number of them swapped.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
TJ Hemrick
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 12:57 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Intermittent hard starting
All,
I've been running well for a few weeks now. I've been running her hard
also. NLT 2.5 highway hours a day for 5 days a week and did two 5+ hour
highway trips on the past two weekends. Two days a week (school) I'm adding
another hour on top and some days, another two if I have to take someone to
the airport so some days, I've hit 4.5 to 5,5 hours on the beast. Gas
mileage is horrible but it's been running well otherwise. New fuel pump,
new fuel system (hoses, clamps, cleaned out the tank, filter), great
starter, new distributor cap, and redid ALL the grounds.
Day 1: I made a 20 minute trip, shutdown for less than 10 minutes, hard
starting on key turn. Was spinning over like crazy but that's it. Didn't
smell excess fuel but after a few tries, I thought maybe I was out of gas
(gauge still broken). I shouldn't have been empty, but not taking a chance,
I broke out the spare gas container and topped off 2 gallons.
Jumped in and it started up fairly easy (similar to when the pump has to
prime). On my way and never thought twice. I did wonder however, why, as I
was not low on gas and knew I shouldn't have been (without a fuel gauge you
get to know your time/distances you can drive pretty tightly).
Day 2: I drove 25 minutes or so, shutdown, was in a store for less than
10 minutes and started fine. Drove 5 more minutes to another store, sat for
30-45 minutes and had the same hard starting issues. Engine rotation but
that's it. Didn't have a helper in either case so no chance to investigate
the engine more closely.
Day 3 Started up this morning (cold start) immediately (1 or 1.5 times
engine rotation). Let it idle for 15 minutes, shutdown, restarted just
fine. Let it rest 20 minutes and it started right up like normal. Let it
rest 2 hours and it started right up again.
Day 4 Started up this morning just as always. Drove 20 minutes, shut
down (accidently). 5 minute break, went to restart and it took over 3
minutes. Various modes of priming the pump with the key only to till the
light came on but not engaging the starter did not help. I *thought* I
detected a "cough" right at the initial rotation sequence so I started to do
short bursts of the key and then off again followed by re-engaging the
starter almost immediately. Can't say 100% it helped but I did managed to
get it started.
Day 5. The ONLY constant I can find is that pure cold starts are normal.
Why or how the intermittent nature of the issue with no regard to how long
I've been running or how hot the engine is, is killing me. Anyone have any
ideas?
It's an 87 Wolfsburg, Automatic, 2.1, bone stock.
Thanks,
TJ
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