1.  Charge the battery
2.  Verify that glow plugs are heating when activated.  They should be
noticeably warm to the touch when cycled 2-3 times.
3.  Verfiy that fuel is getting to the injectors.  Loosen one or more fuel
pipes at the injector.  Fuel should be pumping out when the engine is
cranked.
4.  Verify injector pump timing per Bentley.

The van should start without any movement of the accelerator pedal.  Using
the pedal may PREVENT it from starting.  "Pumping" of the pedal only has an
effect on carbureted gasoline vehicles.  Usually it floods the cylinders
with fuel.  If there is any doubt about whether the cold start mechanism is
needed, use it.  It will not prevent a properly timed engine from starting
in warm weather.  Given the description of your problem, I suspect injector
pump timing.  I believe that the timing belt stretches as it wears and
causes the timing to shift.  The beauty of the diesel is the simplicity.
Heat + fuel + timing = combustion.

Mike Snow
Camp Pendleton, California
1982 Westfalia 1.6TD
1983 ASI 1.6D

 -----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of
Bill Nienhuis
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2000 6:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 82 Diesel won't start

  I have an 82 Diesel that just cranks and cranks and cranks, but won't
catch and start. This has happened on and off until today, when it simply
didn't start and just kept cranking. Now, my battery [which was purchased
new 2 weeks ago...] is low from all the cranking, and I really can't get the
van to start. Doesn't matter if I pull out the cold start knob, or if I
leave it in. I try to keep the pumping of the gas pedal to a minimum, but
still, nothing.

  With this limited description of the problem, anyone want to take a stab
at what might be happening?

  Thanks.

  Bill

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