jeff:

just for kicks, pull the 3/4" hose that goes from the black tower to the
intake. plug the intake, and vent the blow-by from the black tower to the
atmosphere. if this works to keep her lit, adjust the idle as necessary,
and please let the list know the outcome. although i don't operate her
this way, our '84 does idle best in this condition, a rock solid 900 rpm
+/- a bit @ 12 deg btdc initial timing (as opposed to book 5 deg atdc).

dan

On Mon, 1 May 2006 03:23:13 EDT, Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM> wrote:

>My Vanagon has been sitting for about 6 months without running for a
myriad
>of complicated reasons--most having to do with injury, finances, and work
>scehdule. It ran fine when I parked it 6 months earlier.
>
>Finally getting back to the bus I started it and it runs like a bear for
>about 5 seconds. (5 Seconds is actually longer than it sounds in the
scheme of
>things.) It runs good and strong in that time at idle without touching the
>accelerator. Then it just dies all together.
>
>I'm not sure if touching the acclerator will kill it--but I think it will.
>It's difficult to check because I can start it and let it run the 5
seconds
>about 5 times. Then she doesn't want to start at all.
>
>I've checked all the vacuum lines and they seem to be in good condition.
>Nothing clogging the air filter. The gasoline does not smell of varnish,
and I
>think if that were the problem it would not start at all. The fuel filter
>before  the pump is due for a replacement, but I did remove it to check
it and can
>blow through it with ease--I'm not sure if that proves it's not clogged. I
>temporarily reinstalled it.
>
>I'm suspecting the fuel pump. But I'm not all that savvy with the electric
>pump system.
>
>My theory is the pump can get up enough pressure to start the engine but
>can't keep the supply or pressure up to keep her going.
>
>The pump is making an intermittment noise that can be heard at the pump.
It
>can;t be heard from the driver's seat. The frequency of the noise is in
sync
>with a noise from the fuel pump relay. I'm not sure if the two relays in
the
>private "high voltage" box are both for the fuel pump. But at least one of
>them is definately making an audible rapid clicking sound in about one
second
>intervals (one second on one second off) when the ignition switch is on
with
>the  bus NOT running. The sound from the pump is in the same one second
>intervals and sounds like it could be the sound of the pump normally
running with a
>slight squeak and a slight sucking sound.
>
>I'm not sure if this pulsing is normal, but I suspect it's not.
>
>I replaced the fuel lines and fuel regulator about 4 years ago. So I guess
>not all that recently. The pump appears to be the original.
>
>I'm looking for suggestions on what to look for and how to tell if the
fuel
>supply/pump/relays could be the culpret--or what else I might be looking
for.
>
>And it's worth mentioning again, for those 5 seconds the bus runs it
sounds
>great.
>
>Thanks,
>Jeff
>83.5 Westy
>LA,CA