I've recently been given a '80 camper by a friend. I'm very new to the VW
world and never really had must interest in autos etc. other than as
transport. I've found myself very intrigued with this vehicle and I'm
slowly addressing its many problems.
Fortunately I've got lots of books and docs that came with the vehicle so
I'm taking a crash course.

My big problem with it is initial starting. It initially turns over fine
but then dies. Successive starts get successively better and by the 6th or
7th try something seems to catch and the engine perks up and works like a
champ. Once "warm" I can turn it off and it will start immediately without
trouble, the problem only happens when I do a cold start. Strangely this is
the first vehicle I've ever had with fuel injection so I'm really clueless
what to even look at. Any tips would be appreciated.

I want to learn enough about the basics of the vehicle to feel pretty
comfortable with troubleshooting it myself, it is a camper after all and
that's what I've got planned for it. This is the perfect rig to use to haul
big telescopes out to remote dark places away from the light pollution in
the cities.

Has anyone done business with Petrosillo Bros. In Somerville, MA? They were
recommended as being good with Vanagons.

This mail list has been a great resource for me. I've enjoyed reading it
over the last week and look forward to diving into the archives. I'll try
not to ask too many naive questions. I've noticed how tired people seem to
be about questions on tires (though I'm still undecided on good off road
tires).

Thank you all in advance.

        Dan - Boston