Thanks to all who replied to my "won't start, 1984 Vanagon!"

I did spray some starter fluid into the intake boot, the black plastic piece
between the air filter housing and the throttle housing, only to discover a
crack that allowed the starter fluid to flow out.

Does anyone have an extra one of these "intake boots," OR advise on how I
might seal a crack on it? Epoxy? Silicone?

I did finally get the engine to start just now, after several days.  Since I
thought it may well be flooded, I pulled the fuel pump relay, and it
eventually started and ran for several seconds, burning off the fuel from
flooding.

I replaced the fuel pump relay and tried to start it again, only to
apparently flood it again.

Finally, after alternatively flooding, then removing the relay and burning
off excess fuel, I got it to start and keep running.

Any ideas what underlying problems I might be having?

I am going to warm it up and do another compression test. It tested quite
low in freezing conditions, before Xmas when it first would not start.  I
was beginning to worry that my engine was worn to the point of, too little
compression to start.

Another thought was fuel line freeze up somewhere, and that it started today
because of warmer outdoor weather, but if this were the case, how could I
have had too much fuel causing flooding?

Thanks again!

Scott in Idaho

1984 Vanagon
1985 Trooper
1988 Trooper