Not sure where "here" is for some of the folks who responded but here
in Indy it was down to -15F Friday morning (-29 wind chill). I went
out to start my Vanagon with some trepidation.

I popped the key in and slowly turned it. At first there was nothing
but I continued to hold it in the start position and after a pregnant
pause of about 2 seconds the starter engaged and the engine fired up
almost immediately. It did grumble and sputter a bit but slowly
smoothed out and increased in RPM. There was also a whine coming from
the engine, probably the power steering pump or something else that
didn't feel like turning. I let it idle and after several minutes and
it was purring. All rumbles and grumbles faded away.

Having had it for about 4 months this is my first winter with it. I
must say I was quite happy when it (begrudgingly) rumbled to life.

I didn't have the heart to drive it to work so I let it have the day
off and took the Expedition. Sadly I had to jump start it since I've
let it set unused for the last couple weeks. Shouldn't have a dead
battery but it the original of 9 years so I need to replace it (plus
my iPod charger was drawing a trickle slowly draining it).

Stay warm!

Mark K
1986 GL 2WD

On Jan 15, 2009, at 7:45 PM, Kim Brennan wrote:

> Please close it!
>
> Here south of the Mason Dixon line (okay DC isn't very far south, but
> it is technically..) we don't often get these frigid temps and
> certainly the last couple of winters have been warm enough to not have
> to worry about draining the water tank on the Westy.
>
> I just finished taking off the drain to let the liquid water out
> (started the propex for a while to melt some of the rest).
>
> DC area isn't expected to break 20F tomorrow and might get as low as
> 0F tomorrow night.
>
> Now for you midwest and Canadian folk this might not be a big deal. It
> wouldn't be if I was a polar bear either. I don't mind the cold all
> that much, but really would like the snow to play in with the Syncro.
>
> Sigh.