okay guys...

Ususally my vanagon starts the first time.  USUALLY.
But if it doesn't (i.e. if it fails even once) then the engine is flooded,
and I need to either wait 30 minutes or start it with the pedal pushed all
the way down (which is what I do).  this is okay, if kind of a pain in the
butt.  But is it indicative of some bigger problems?  The engine (175k+
and no rebuild) is running great!

Thanks for any tips,
wes

By the way... thanks to all who replied about my flashing coolant sensor
light---it went away by itself, so if it comes back, I'll try all those
suggestions!