77 Westy seeks a more reliable start, possibly more

[Biospherewalker]

It all started when I took my bus to the beach late august. after parking on the dunes overnight, it took a couple of tries to get the thing fired up. I thought "weird" because it always cranked on the first try. I chalked it up to damp ocean breeze or whatever.
The next morning, it did the same thing, only it took about 7 tries to get it going. I checked under the cap for condensation, etc. but nothing. anyway, I expected this problem to go away once I got her back to Tennessee away from those evil damp salty breezes from the Gulf of Mexico, and it did - for about a week and a half. I tried all the traditional theories - vapor lock and all that, and I've recently heard about the cold start valve (but not much). Incidentally, this is my first VW and I love her dearly. I'm searching for knowledge, so pardon my ignorance. Here is your laundry list of clues:
It starts ok on warm sunny days, or after It's been running.
Lately it's been colder, and it's like pulling teeth at 7:00 am.
If I push start her, she cranks right up, and even if she doesn't, turning
her over one time makes it crank with the key afterwards.
77 body, 78 engine, 2.0L, hydraulic lifters, fuel injection, electronic
ignition, rebuilt 60,000 ago.

thanks a million guys.
Luke

[jeremysmithatshawdotca]

You might check the Head temp. sensor, near the number 3 cylinder. Jeremy