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Subject:Stuck fuel injector cures?
From:Rob Scott
Date:Mon, 20 Oct 2003 18:14:39 -0700

My 1990 Multivan has had an eight month siesta while I looked for my round
tuit to fix the (improperly installed by a professional shop) leaky port
side water jacket gasket.  Well, I found my tuit and got the beast all
buttoned up last night.

My to my discouragement, the van is not running happily.  Oh, I got the #3
and #4 spark plug wires mixed up at first (it's amazing that the thing will
start and run (badly, but run) on two cylinders) but that was easy to
figure out and fix.  Now it's running on 3.5 cylinders.

Removed the plugs and all except number 4 looked good.  Number 4 was not
looking like it was doing much.  I ran a quick compression check to make
sure that my handiwork on the port side was up to par.  Yup, 135-140 PSI in
all cylinders.  Put in new plugs and checked the fuel injector spray on the
port side.  Uh-oh.  Number four isn't putting out much.

Apparently the eight month lay up has allowed the #4 injector to stick
closed or become clogged with varnish.  Does anyone have any suggestions or
standard Vanagon wisdom about clearing the injector?

I've put in a bottle of STP injector cleaner.  It can't hurt.  I'll run it
a bit to see if heat and fuel circulation loosen it up.  Any other ideas
appreciated.  A new injector is $126 and all of the shops in town (Seattle
area) will have to order it.  I'll check with Campbell-Nelson used parts in
the morning.

Cheers.
Rob

              It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
                    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
                     Rob Scott, mailto:rob@unixguy.com
        Langley, Washington on Whidbey Island (a suburb with a moat)