Another stranded Vanagon -- Won't start

[vanaglobal]

Hey guys,

Got stranded on a bridge today... Symptoms before it died are: Vanagon was backfiring and losing power especially in 4th gear. Seemed like one of the plugs wasn’t firing.
White smoke when I start the car from engine compartment even though it goes away after a bit. Smell gas but I feel like I always smell gas lol. I was seeing some gas seep through what I believe is the head gasket... (see photo) I assume it’s the unburnt gas from the misfiring plug.

I started by changing the spark plugs and ignition cables. Looks like the white smoke is gone as well as the leaking from head gasket. Does this mean I need to replace head gasket seals? Either way van does not start regardless.

I can hear the fuel pump. Starter is working. Just wont fire. Sputters.

I’m going to get new distributor cap and rotor. Hoping this remedies the problem, but seeing that gas through the head is worrisome.

Here are some other problems that I need to fix that might be related or not:
My gas tank is leaky and I need to replace the seals. Same with some fuel lines around the injectors, but ok for now after a bit of tightening.

Also found one screw missing where exhaust and manifold connect.

I’d appreciate any thoughts. As of now my car will not start. Turns over but will not fire up. Uploaded pics of spark plug in question as well as distributor parts and the area where I saw the leak.

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83.5 1.9l wasserboxer westfalia

[snwbrdr435]

Jump the connections in the temp 2 sender

[Steve M.]

Listen, your first priority is to fix the gas leaks by replacing the fuel lines etc., etc.
Do it this weekend.


The last picture the yellow arrow is pointing to the cylinder head to water jacket rubber seal. So it looks like you have the start of a water leak there.
Or if that is gas do not wait until the weekend to fix the fuel leaks.

Subaru Coolant Conditioner might help you there.
https://www.amazon.com/Subaru-OEM-Coolant-System-C...amp;sr=8-2

Buy a Fire Extinguisher...
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[jlrftype7]

Don’t know what happened to my original reply to this thread with my comments about distributor cap/rotor parts and fixing the ground wires, but it went somewhere....
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[djkeev]

Broke down on a bridge in NYC? I bet you were shown much love and patience!

It is time for a cap and rotor never the less.

You should NEVER smell gas as a routine smell!

You MUST find out why you always smell gas! ...... NOW!

#1 suspect ...... leaking fuel hoses ..... if you don't know their age, replace them now.

#2 suspect ..... gas tank seals on top of the tsnk

#3 suspect ..... vapor recovery tanks, cracked or bad roll over valve seals.

#4 suspect ..... fuel level sender leaking

#5 suspect ...... rusty fuel tank, the tiny metal venting pipes rust away.

#6 suspect ...... filler neck and related parts.

Fix the fuel leak before you worry about it not running!

The vapor tanks if bad could even be your running problems by introducing water into the fuel tank.

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[vanaglobal]

Thanks for the input guys. I believe there are multiple issues here that need to be solved, but the first priority is to get I started. Mostly so I can move my car.
Secondly I need it to fire up so I can work the other problems.

There’s no fuel leaking at the moment. The fuel leak can’t be why it won’t start. Am I wrong? It’s only a trickle when I fill up.

I don’t have the luxury of a garage or parking spot if that explains things. Broken glass and asphalt. Welcome to my world lol.
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83.5 1.9l wasserboxer westfalia

[djkeev]

Considering that you always smell gas
+
The poor running you describe
+
The amount of rain we have had recently

I'm voting for water in the gas.

That's where I would go first.

Dave .
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[MarkWard]

Compression, Spark, and Fuel. You need all 3 for an engine to run. When I have a non running van, I check for spark first. Yes, step 2, no, diagnose no spark. Step 2, you have spark, check for fuel delivery. That includes checking for a pulse at the injectors, fuel pressure, and volume. If you have fuel at the injectors and spark, go to step 3. If no, diagnose no fuel. Step 3, you have spark, and fuel. Time to check the compression.

Looking at your pictures, I have 2 comments. How did you get the cap off with the metal shield in place? The other comment, is the ground wires look like ass. I imagine, the rest of the wiring is not far behind. I'd start with redoing those ground connectors.
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☮️

[Steve M.]

Try this idea.
Buy the tube of this stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/Gasoila-Regular-Water-Findi...mp;sr=8-17

Get a piece of wire that is a little bit stiff so it will not curl up on itself
something like this.
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wire-Building-Wires/N-5yc1vZc57a

See if they sell it by the foot at Home Depot or Lowes

Take that water detecting paste and smear it on 6-10" on one end of the wire and shove down your gas fill so it gets to the bottom of your gas tank and let it sit for a minute then pull it out.
If the color changed you have water in the gas.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Abscate]

That rotor and cap are way past their date with Dr Death. You can’t run these cars to fail like appliances , they will bite your gluteus Maximus hard.

A fuel leak and low furl pressure will stop you cold, yes. Then it will burn your Bus hot.
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.ssS!

[vanaglobal]

Ok cool. Thanks for the direction.

I’ll start with the distributor cap and rotor because it’s the easiest. Hopefully I’ll at least be able to sputter to another parking spot if I have to.

Mark: As for the distributor cap I think it just pried out. Yes wires are shit. I’ll get to them. Something else always comes up lol.

Steve: Can I just use that gas tester from some gas out of the bleeder valve or does it need to be submerged in the tank?

After that I’ll do fuel lines and gas tank seals. I just had a new tank installed about 3-4 years ago. I’m surprised it’s doing this already.
As for fuel line I wanted to bypass that plastic connector valve. Any suggestions as to what I should put in the hole to prevent chaffing?

Thanks guys.
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83.5 1.9l wasserboxer westfalia

[Steve M.]

[Steve M.]

If you clean the rotor with fine sandpaper in the center and the end it will work better until you get a new one.

Take a common flat blade screwdriver and you can gently scrape the 4 brass contacts inside the distributor cap clean.
If it is not cracked you can still use it as well.
Not as good as new, but will work for now.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[Jake de Villiers]

[Steve M.]

[MarkWard]

Water would collect in the fuel filter. Empty it into a glass jar blowing on the “outlet” of the filter. Report what comes out. Short of a jar, dump it on the ground and water will appear as “droplets” as the gas evaporates away.
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☮️

[Jake de Villiers]

[djkeev]

[Steve M.]

[4Gears4Tires]

The spark plug burn area is a nice brown. When it was running it looked like it was running well, no oil in the cylinders, etc. I'd sand the contacts on the rotor and distributor as suggested, but I wouldn't hold much hope there. I've seen much worse running just fine. I would also sand all your grounds, that big clump of them in the leak picture. Take the bolt out and sand all of them and put them back. Probably not it either, but it's best to just start hitting all the bases.

I would check fuel pressure. You can rent a gauge from autozone/advance. Or buy one off amazon for $25.

How are your o2 sensor wires? I would check on them. There are 2 connections.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition