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jacobcroke Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2011 Posts: 22 Location: Duluth, MN
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:54 am Post subject: I need help here quick!!!!!! |
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Hey y'all-
My '87 GL full camper is having issues. It would start and run just fine, but then just die outta no where. It seemed it wasn't getting fuel. I had a few buddies help we push start it ( on our way to the Willie Nelson concert.... we were not going to miss it). After the concert, it started and ran awesome. Next day, would stop dying.
I replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter, and that day it ran the best it has since I bought it. The next day, wouldn't stay running. Now (Three days later) it won't even start.
Any help/suggestions would be AWESOME
Thanks
Jake _________________ 1987 Vanagon Westy Full Camper
2008 Honda Element
1998 Subaru Forester |
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stormforge Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009 Posts: 355 Location: Adirondacks NY
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:08 am Post subject: |
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I'm assuming that it cranks (if not - check battery & starter).
First step on any vehicle which cranks but won't start is to figure out if you are missing fuel or missing spark.
Read up on TheSamba how to check spark. You can pull a plug wire and see if it will spark to a ground or you can use a cheap spark tester.
To check if you're missing fuel you can spray some starter fluid in the air intake and then crank it. If it starts and runs briefly that suggests that everything else is ok & you're not getting any fuel.
Report back and let us know which problem you have and we'll give you next steps.
Cheers,
-Bill
'89 Syncro |
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jacobcroke Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2011 Posts: 22 Location: Duluth, MN
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:48 am Post subject: |
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thanks forge-
I get spark. Fired then stopped after I sprayed the intake.
Next Step? _________________ 1987 Vanagon Westy Full Camper
2008 Honda Element
1998 Subaru Forester |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10239 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:52 am Post subject: |
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Any history - how long have you been driving it? How old's the fuel pump, the gas?
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:55 am Post subject: |
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sounds like a fuel delivery issue maybe, if you sprayed the intake with(I assume starting fluid and not PAM cooking spray) that you need to check fuel pressure me thinks. |
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camerahunter Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2009 Posts: 567 Location: Tacoma
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:59 am Post subject: |
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What's the rush?
You are dealing with a vanagon after all. They are never in a hurry.
I say it's flooded.
Unplug the fuel pump, start it, let it run until it runs out of gas, then plug it back in and see how it runs.
If this works you need a new fuel pump.
Thank you,
David _________________ 1984 - Daily driver |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10239 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:03 am Post subject: |
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Camera,
I don't agree with that approach. If it's flooded, the fuel pump is working but either the fuel pressure reg or injectors have an issue. Once he got it running on the spray, any and all fuel would have burned out, so it could not remain flooded after that.
History always helps. Its usually about here that you find the van sat for 2 years and this was the first trip, or someone put diesel fuel in it at the gas station accidentally, or the battery was connected backward before the trip, etc. Just trying to help the PO get to the issue as fast as possible and with hundreds of Samba folks poised to help the best thing possible would be information to process.
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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stormforge Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009 Posts: 355 Location: Adirondacks NY
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:31 am Post subject: |
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My next step would be to check fuel pump power. Do you hear the pump make a brief "whir" when you turn the key to the on (but not start) position? If not, it could be that the pump isn't getting power.
Look elsewhere on the Samba (sorry - busy today!) to find the fuel pump relay and how to check/diagnose that.
Cheers,
-Bill |
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rcook52459 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2011 Posts: 492 Location: PORTLAND ORE
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:33 am Post subject: |
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if there's a harbor freight around you they have a fuel pressure tester for $16.99,then download a 20% off coupon. _________________ 85 westy tiico conversion.auto trans triumph TR250 1980 Suzuki GS1000l |
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jacobcroke Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2011 Posts: 22 Location: Duluth, MN
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Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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Ok. It makes the "whirll" ing sound when the key is turned.
The vans history is pretty unknown to me. I bought it in May, and untill two weeks ago, my partner, son, and myself put 200-300 miles a week on it with no problems. I have no idea if it sat for a while (I am assuming it did) and I know it has the factory fuel tank, fuel pump, and fuel lines. I have replaced belts, alternator, spark plugs, and changed the oil.
That's where I am sitting. I am capable of working on the van, but I have no idea how to diagnose these things
Thanks for the help, and if anyone has a next step for me, I'd appreciate it
Jake _________________ 1987 Vanagon Westy Full Camper
2008 Honda Element
1998 Subaru Forester |
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Perales Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 2046 Location: Nova Scotia
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