hi there,
yes, I see the discussions that say modern gas is different than the stuff
we are used to.
but I will also still say that I doubt it is just the 6 months old gas that
is 'the problem' keeping it from running.

it's not hard to substitute a gas can  for the fuel tank, if there is doubt
about the fuel , or fuel pick-up, in the main tank.
I'm a real big believer in 'substitute and bypass' as a diagnostic strategy.

that means things like hot wire fuel pumps to be darn sure that's
running............
running the engine off a whole other fuel source ( not that hard to do at
all, and not a hazard especially if a person has half a brain ) ..
and so forth.
I am very aware of regional and season differences in gasoline blends. For
sure add fresh fuel, and see what happens.
That it fired and ran for 8 seconds , then shut off, does not make me think
of the fuel very much.
and right there is a good reason I like a fuel pressure gauge on it while
sorting through this.
you see the fuel pressure start going down, then it shuts off.........then
you know what area to start working on/investigating.

I have an 87 Wolfsburg that does that.
It'll fire off normally,  and idle at a fast idle for 10 seconds, then just
'shut off' .  Haven't spent any time on that yet ........
also very high miles on that engine , and I'm not planning to use that
engine either..............and I can't say for sure it's the low compression
causing that symptom..  Just wanted to mention I've seen that
...........idle fine, then just 'shut off' .

----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Potts" <greg@pottsfamily.ca>
To: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>;
<vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 5:25 PM
Subject: Re: Was: dead cat kills van- What About Bad Gas

> Hi Scott,
>
> The composition of "Gasoline" varies widely by region and by the time of
> year it is purchased. Fuel refined in Texas is likely quite different than
> that refined in Sarnia Ontario, etc....
>
> I can say from experience that in these parts, gas gets stale quite fast.
>
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> 1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
> www.busesofthecorn.com
> www.pottsfamily.ca
>
> Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>> hi,
>> I've had engines start and run nicely on gas that was two years old even