1989 Westy Hard to start after Heavy Rain

[slyder]

Every time I have a heavy rain my camper is hard to start. I have to crank it over for about 5 minutes before it will start to even show signs of getting fuel. I also have to hold the gas pedal down, like it was an old carbed vehicle. Once it starts to show signs of fuel it will fire. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to look for? Or how to fix this so it doesn't happen everytime. I am worried about it especially since I live in Canada and don't want to have this problem when it is snowing out.
By the way the Westy is an auto not stick.

Thanks all for your help and suggestions.
_________________
'97 Jetta Trek
Looking for Pre-70 Convertible
www.campinginstyle.com
Camping in Style Rv

[Alan Brase]

What comes to mind is always high tension electrical problems:plugs, wire rotor, cap, possibly carbon build up on the coil tower.
I had that problem with my 87 a while back when we had 100% humidity, like fog or dew.
new plugs and wire solved my problem.
Why moving the gas pedal would make any difference, I don't know. Might be too rich without depressing the pedal.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[j8]

hey slyder, when you say every time, how long have you had your vanagon? i'm just wondering if the occurrence is more frequent lately or how long this issue has been in place. and when was your last tune up?

like al, i'd first look to electrical plugs/wires (with extra love and curiosity at the distributor cap) and then checking the larger mix, even checking the mundane things like the air filter.

please let us know what you discover and what the fix was!

-julia

[Phil G]

Also open up intake air vent grill on the passenger side and make sure the 'snorkel' is all there, not damaged, oriented correctly, and the duct hose isn't delaminating or collapsed. Water collecting in the intake tract will also cause the problems you describe.

[slyder]

I think I finally figured it out. Wouldn't start, turned over but no spark. Got fed up and sprayed the wires with lube to displace moisture, and it fired up right away. So I think I am going to replace the wires, especially before winter. Now should I also replace the ignition coil? I think it is original and I have 320000 kms on him.

Thanks for the suggestions.
_________________
'97 Jetta Trek
Looking for Pre-70 Convertible
www.campinginstyle.com
Camping in Style Rv

[Alan Brase]

I wouldn't consider the coil a replacement item unless there is damage to the coil tower (where the Ht lead attaches.)
I'd change every other piece of the high voltage system, though. Cap rotor, wires, plugs.
BTW, one can often tell the wires are bad by watching them at night and seeing sparks!
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[slyder]

Thanks for that suggestion. I never thought of looking at them at night. I will do that.
_________________
'97 Jetta Trek
Looking for Pre-70 Convertible
www.campinginstyle.com
Camping in Style Rv

[danfromsyr]

indeed I had two vans in the yard that the snorkle would like to 'collect' rain when it was heavy.. much of a PITA only the syncros have the water trap, and that doens't hold much anyways.