80 Vanagon Won't Start

Hi everyone,

My 1980 Westy won't start.

Chronology:

A few weeks ago, it was running just fine, though we rarely drive it anymore. I started it up to move it and noticed a fuel leak in the long line between the pump and the injector rail. Replaced that line, she started fine. A few days later I went out, cranked it, and nothing. I noticed the line had come lose from the fitting, but no gas had spilled. I reattached the line. Since then it hasn't started once.

The tank was low on gas, so I put about 7 gallons in there. I've tried jumping the two contacts on the air flow meter harness to get the pump to run without the engine, and it sounds good, like a fuel pump pumping fuel. I can smell fuel when I do that too. But still, the engine won't catch.

Nothing has changed on the van except that one fuel line, and it's been running just fine for years. Spark is fine, haven't touched the timing, points, etc..

I know the injection on these needs to be pressurized, and it sounds like it's not, but how can I repressurize the system?

Any suggestions are very appreciated.

Reply to
ahecht
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The pump pressurizes the rail to about 30psi as the starter cranks. The contact in the AFM maintains the pump running after the engine has started.

Put a pressure gauge on the rail test port.

The pump shouldn't need priming or anything like that.

This page on my web site has basic FI control info and a simplified diagram:

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Also, go here:
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Click on Library. Click on "F" for Fuel Injection.

Speedy Jim

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Reply to
Speedy Jim

Thanks Jim. I'll try those things (if I can find a pressure guage before the city tows it).

Some more clues:

Double checked the spark and timing today, and it's dead on. I disconnected the fuel line at the injection rail (well, just north of the firewall anyway), ran the pump, and... nothing. Suspecting the pump or the filter, I disconnect the line at the pump end, ran the pump... gas!

So, my current theory is that the non-stock fuel line I got has a much smaller inner diameter than the original line, and the pump isn't strong enough to get gas through it. Gas is coming from the pump, but not making it to the rail.

Is this likely?

I'll try to find a piece of wider guage line tomorrow and see what happens.

-anthony

Reply to
ahecht

I have forgotten, but is the fule filter not AFTER the pump on a vanagon? Check if there is fuel AFTER the filter. Your filter may be jammed up, and IMHO this is the most likely culprit. Also, if you had one fuel line break................guess what? All the others of that same vintage are about to break too. Replace them all....do not use

1/4" line and typicla screw drive clamps! Use the metric hose (seems like 7mm ID) and the european style clamps that squeeze the hose rather than grip them and chew them up.

If you canno f> Thanks Jim. I'll try those things (if I can find a pressure guage

Reply to
vgonman

one fuel line break................guess what? All the others of that same vintage are about to break too.

What?? The fuel lines are only a qtr-century old! (Tongue-in-cheek.)

Heed Tony's advice! More Vans/Buses have burned to crisp due to brittle lines.

He's probably right about the filter too..

Speedy Jim

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Reply to
Speedy Jim

The square white fuel filter goes before the pump. It isn't intended to go on the pressurized side of the pump. California vans apparently had two filters: one before and one after the pump. The one after is a metal cylinder that is designed to handle the pressure.

I'll echo the advice to replace all of your fuel hoses. The hose you use must be intended for the high fuel pressures found in FI systems. German Supply has a fuel hose kit for late Bays which will also fit your Vanagon (you may end up with some extras):

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Or you could just order a length of the correct hose and cut it yourself.

Reply to
Lyle Beaulac

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