TheSamba.com :: View topic - Van wont start suspected to be a fuel problem

Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:58 pm

First will give you a quick rundown of the van's condition. At first there was some hesitation with the van while accelerating. Before taking further action we ran some fuel system cleaner (techron) through the system and drove it around for a while. Did not fix the problem... we brought it to our mechanic (not a VW specialist, a foreign car specialist who has worked on our van for many years). We had the spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor, and fuel filter replaced. This was supposed to be just a somewhat major tune up to get it ready to go from chicago - st. louis and back and then chicago - pittsburgh and back (college move out). The van seemed to be running fine, we drove it probably 20 miles before it was scheduled to go to saint louis. The van was loaded up with boxes and a large couch (how many vehicles can you do that in) and was headed to saint louis. I was not in the car at this time. About 30 minutes on the road (going approx 65mph) the van, from what i have been told, just died and was pulled over to the side of the road while in neutral. My mother was driving and my sister saw some white smoke work its was to the front of the van (could not determine the source because the van was loaded with boxes). Needless to say, the van was towed home. The van would not start and we took a few steps to narrow the problem down (see my previous post from the time the problem occurred). The van has been sitting in our driveway for about 3 months now :( . I just charged up the battery because it was completely dead and did not want to loose it. After, my father and I made an attempt to start the van, with full starting power. It sounded like it was going to start. My father pushed the gas pedal a little and it started :shock: . My dad had to keep the pedal almost fully compressed to keep the van running (was not revving up). Once he eased off it died :cry: . Seems like there is not enough fuel getting to the engine. We have a new bosch fuel pump and filter on their way from busdepot :) . Not sure if that will fix the problem. I am concerned because that would not explain the smoke inside the cabin. I thought i would see if you guys had any suggestions. Like I said in my previous post 3 months ago, it might be an electrical problem but I don't know what that would be or how to diagnose it. Well, I will keep you guys up to date on this one. Hopefully I will have the fuel pump and filter by this weekend. The fuel pump that is in there now is stock and the filter is new, but not bosch might be a Mann, very hard to read the label. This site has made me realize the full potential of this van. Thanks guys, sorry for the long post.

Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:32 pm

You need to get hold of a Bentley or a Haynes manual and follow the instructions for the fuel injection diagnostic test and the fuel pressure test. All it takes is a multi-meter and a 0-60 psi fuel pressure gauge + the necessary hoses and fittings. Everything should be readily available close to where you live. Spend enough money to get a good multi-meter and it should last you for decades.

It will probably take you a couple of hours to do the diagnostic tests the first time, but if you ever have to do them again you will be able to easily do them in just a few minutes.

Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:34 am

As our expert TENCENTLIFE has explained many times, start with the basics: fuel, spark, and compression. Sounds simple, but it can be a pain to narrow down. Spark is an easy check: remove the center coil wire from the distributor cap, and using insulated plyers, hold the copper tip about a half inch from a good ground source (any metal away from a fuel source!). Have a helper turn the ignition key. You should see a good fat spark. If so, move on to the fuel. You've already bought a fuel pump and filter, but that may have been a waste of good money, as perhaps the fuel filter may have been the culprit. You could have easily removed the fuel line from the fuel pressure regulator, held it so it was pointing into a coffee can (or other container), and had the buddy turn the key to on. A good stream of fuel should be pumping into the can. The other and prefered way is to connect a fuel pressure gauge to the system and check for correct fuel pressure. Here is where the Bentley repair manual pays for itself.

White smoke usually indicates water into the combustion chamber. Removing the spark plugs (one at a time) will provide you a good indication of what's going on in each cylinder. If you do have a water leak into one or more cylinders (rare for the waterboxers), the spark plug will be very clean compared to the others, as the steam produced from the water compressing and mixing with fuel to ignite will clean the plug. This may be why the engine is stalling; not running on all cylinders.

Just wild guesses. You need to start with basics and narrow down, rather than toss parts at it. Eventually you will fix it this way, but at great expense.

By all means try to avoid the posts that suggest replacing a part because "mine was doing the same thing.....I replaced xxxxx"

I know folks are trying to help, but throwing parts at an engine in an attempt to fix it is just plain expensive.

Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:46 am

We already have tested for spark and had a very strong spark. The water leak would be hard to determine with your suggested way because the spark plugs are new (mechanic has the old ones). I don't have very much information about this smoke in the car because I was not there. I originally wanted to disconnect the fuel line at the regulator and check for fuel but my father was stubborn and just wanted to get a new part and worry about it later. Thank you for your suggestions, I will try to keep you up to date.