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Thu Jan 02, 2003 10:03 pm

I have trouble starting my '78 Westy after it sits for more than a week - I recently bought a new battery which I thought would do the trick, but I just got back from a trip and had to resort to push starting it once again. I pump the gas while it's turning it over, but it's not doing the trick. Any suggestions?

Fri Jan 03, 2003 5:48 pm

Matt, is it that your battery is being run down? If so do you have anything that draws while the ignition is off? On my '78 the radio is wired to a constant hot wire. I think that is how the factory wired them. If the battery is not being drained and is turning over the engine normally it could be a few things. If you still have fuel injection you dont want to pump the gas while you are turning it over. It could cause a backfire up through the air flow meter and ruin it. Its not a cheap part. Not starting with a good battery could be several problems with the fuel injection including fuel pump or cold start injector.

Is this a deluxe Westy with the fridge, not an ice box? If so check to see that the fridge didnt accidently get turned on. It will drain only the auxilliary battery but in turn, when you try to start the bus, the relay from the auxilliary to starter battery will try to equal the the voltage across the two. Making the starter battery to weak to turn the motor.

Need more details.

JC

Fri Jan 10, 2003 3:20 pm

JC,

You're right - the radio is hot wired, but I always detatch the face plate when it's turned off so as not to draw any power. I had my mechanic check for any additional draws, but he didn't find any. My westy doesn't have a fridge - just an icebox and a sink. I don't have an auxilliary batter, but i'm looking to put one in in a few months. I think what is happening is that after sitting for more than a few days it takes so long for the engine to turn over - I crank for 5+ seconds several times before the batter starts to die; it just doesn't catch. When it dies my only alternitive is to push start or get a jump. I'll try not pumping the gas the next time it happens - any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Matt.

Fri Jan 10, 2003 6:43 pm

Matt

Does the battery seem to be turning over the engine at a normal speed? If you have a volt meter a good fresh battery should test at 13-14 volts. That may be a good place to start. When was the last time you did a full tune up? It might be something real simple like just needing a new set of spark plug wires. I know I just checked mine and they were real dry and brittle. Check to see if you are getting a good spark to all of your plugs and from the coil. How does the bus run once you get it started? If it runs OK once it's started I would think that your fuel injection system is not the problem.

You might want to post your problem at www.shoptalkforums.com in the Bus Barn section. There is a lot of knowledge over there. Not that there isnt here, but it couldnt hurt.

Good Luck
JC

Sat Jan 11, 2003 9:05 am

A hot wired radio with a faceplate would still be drawing power even if the faceplate is removed to keep the clock/preset memory. Something may be shorting out there. You may want to disconnect both radio power wires and let it sit and see if that helps.

-=Rob