88 Vanagon wont stay running without start fluid

[outbackmc]

**88 VW Vanagon*** Was sitting 7 years. Would only start on starting fluid but shut off when stop spraying it. Replaced the fuel pump. Pump runs and injectors getting pulse. Still wont stay running without continuing to spray it. Has fuel in tank and getting to injectors. Any help guys?? Really appreciate it!

[mikedjames]

Split air hose somewhere.
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[Spezialist]

Start fluid is caustic to a healthy engine. Will blow the necessary carbon off the rings in about a New York minute= loss of compression and now will only start and run on the either that killed it. There is a way to fix this issue, if the rings haven’t scored the cylinders too bad. Probably too late.
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[FreeBug]

Start with the basics: does it have compression, does it have a good spark at the right time? How are the lifters acting?

Air leaks are it's worst enemy, and there's lots of potential spots.

Does it have an O2 sensor? The coolant temp sender is also a source of trouble, local VW tech told me they routinely change them both just to be safe .

Oh , and there's a black one and a blue one, they're different.

And you have to go through a procedure to do everything right, IIRC you need to unhook the coolant sensor to set the timing, and you need to disconnect the O2 sensor to adjust for emissions (not at the same time ) . Needs to go to off and to 3000 r.p.m each time to "reset" it.

[nsracing]

Just because you have power to the injectors does not mean they are firing. They could be frozen.

You need to make sure the injectors are actually spraying. Pull them off and put plastic bottles under each see if they are spraying.

Spraying starting fluid and it running tells you all you need is a fuel source.

Make sure the ignition system is all working. Did you even take compression readings?

[Dale M.]

Ok you have ignition, so you have narrowed down to a fuel issue...

Dale
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[Busstom]

[lelef]

better also a new fuel filter and replace all the fuel in tank ,after 7 years no more octane and should be water in it.
Switch on and off the ignition several times without cranking to recirculate the fuel in the fuel injection system, there should be air bubbles and water.
Then with the ignition disconnected (should be done removing a fuse) and without the spark plugs make some cranking to rise oil pressure this help the hydraulic lifters ,pay attention to no overheat the starter motor.
Put a small quantity (some drops) of fuel into the cylinders from the spark plug holes ,put on spark plugs reconnect the ignition and try to start.
Every efi system has a priming pulse for extra fuel when you start cranking so trying to start several times for few seconds is better then cranking continuously