Date:         Thu, 20 Aug 1998 20:26:18 -0500
Reply-To:     Joel Hembel <jhembel@EXECPC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Hembel <jhembel@EXECPC.COM>
Subject:      Re: 82 Diesel Westy Problem
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Kristopher B. wrote:
>
> Hello all.. recently it has been very difficult to start my 82 diesel..
> I have to pump at the gas ferociously for it to finally catch, and this
> process can take up to 20 seconds or more... It's a new battery, I am
> using the choke, the glow plugs are warmed..
>
> Here is another real problem... when I go downhill, if I don't have the
> foot on the gas and reving high, my westy will stall out, and I will
> have to wait a few seconds and try to start her again.. also, it will
> take some time to get her going back to normal..
>
> There must be a problem somewhere in my fuel setup here.  Its a new gas
> filter, I think the injectors are clean.  Air in the line?
>
> Thanks in Advance... Kris
> --
> http://www.i2.i-2000.com/~krisbee


Hi, first of all, be careful on how long you crank! You may burn out
your glow plugs. As long as the starter is engaged, the glow plug
circuit is on- heating those plugs into meltdowm. I think your two
problems are related. Your injection pump creates a suction that draws
fuel from you fuel tank. There ar no other pumps, etc. Since you
mentioned that the fuel filter is new; are you sure you installed it
tight enough, and that the pet cock on the bottom is closed? I think you
are sucking air from somewhere, and losing your prime to the pump. Fuel
siphons back into the tank- so when you go to start it again, you have
to pump all the air out to re-prime the injector pump. It's like when
you have a hole in straw, and have trouble drinking your soda. There
also should be a see thru fuel line by the injector pump- you should see
few or no bubbles in the fuel supply. If your filter is fine, chec your
fuel lines from the tank for holes and damage.

As for the glow plug idea, it too can cause poor starting when cold. It
should not affect a warm engine. Check to see you have voltage at the
glow plugs. There is a in line fuse between the glow plug relay, and
glow plugs- that can burn out. More questions or info, let me know! I've
had many VW diesels..............Joel Hembel