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Subject:Re: WHAT JUST HAPPENED???
From:Joseph Fortino
Date:Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:05:38 -0800

This is what I was thinking, ECU could trip up and cause much flooding.
find out what they touched if you can and work from this point.

Joe
-----Original Message-----
>From: Ken Lewis <kdlewis@NORTHSTATE.NET>
>Sent: Feb 22, 2008 7:51 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: WHAT JUST HAPPENED???
>
>Chad,
>Our 85 would exhibit these symptoms if you stalled the engine. It would turn
>over but not catch and stink of gas. I discovered the work-around of
>activating WOT (wide open throttle) to get it started.
>My theory was the timing advance mechanism in the distributor was getting
>slammed into a fully advanced position when the engine was stalled. WOT
>caused three things to occur; it dropped the intake manifold vacuum to
>retard the timing closer to normal, fooled the ECU in thinking it was still
>in idle (since the WOT sensor and idle position sensor are the same switch)
>and allowed a lot of air in to clear the flooding.
>The problem never returned after I lubricated the timing mechanism. Your
>owners manual states the felt button under the rotor should receive a few
>drops of lubricant at every oil change.
>I would get used to the "miraculous cure just before the tow truck arrives"
>syndrome. ;-\
>Good Luck,
>Ken Lewis
>http://neksiwel.20m.com/

"the possession of anything begins in the mind" - Bruce Lee