1. Charge the battery

2. Verify that glow plugs are heating when activated. They should be noticeably = warm to the touch when cycled 2-3 times.

3. Verfiy that fuel is getting to the injectors. Loosen one or more fuel pipes at = the injector. Fuel should be pumping out when the engine is cranked.

4. Verify injector pump timing per Bentley.

The = van should start without any movement of the accelerator pedal. Using the pedal may = PREVENT it from starting. "Pumping" of the pedal only has an effect on = carbureted gasoline vehicles. Usually it floods the cylinders with = fuel. If there is any doubt about whether the cold start mechanism is needed, use = it. It will not prevent a properly timed engine from starting in = warm weather. Given the description of your problem, I suspect injector pump timing. I believe that the timing belt stretches as it wears and = causes the timing to shift. The beauty of the diesel is the = simplicity. Heat + fuel + timing = combustion.

Mike Snow
Camp Pendleton, = California
1982 Westfalia 1.6TD
1983 ASI 1.6D

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List = [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of Bill Nienhuis
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2000 6:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 82 Diesel won't start

I = have an 82 Diesel that just cranks and cranks and cranks, but won't catch and = start. This has happened on and off until today, when it simply didn't start and = just kept cranking. Now, my battery [which was purchased new 2 weeks ago...] is = low from all the cranking, and I really can't get the van to start. Doesn't = matter if I pull out the cold start knob, or if I leave it in. I try to keep the = pumping of the gas pedal to a minimum, but still, nothing.

With = this limited description of the problem, anyone want to take a stab at what might = be happening?