The crack is the problem. Air is entering the system after the AFM. Replace
the boot. If you can't do that immediately, seal the crack temporarily.

John Flaherty
1984 GL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Olson" <kdosmm@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 7:47 PM
Subject: followup: won't start, 1984

> 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
>