A few days ago I mentioned how many Vanagon engines get ruined by support
systems and other outside influences. I have seen many engines damaged by
no-starts being incorrectly diagnosed and from the repeated starting
attempts.  At best you are grinding the heck out of the pistons and
cylinders due to no lubrication as there is no splash from the crank. Then
all that unburned fuel or water mess is washing the cylinders dry of any
lube that may be there. I have seen engines get locked up this way. Then
every time you cycle the ignition or trying to crank you are putting fuel
into the cylinders. Yes you can hydraulically lock up the engine this way.
Then when you can't get it to crank you can push start the vehicle. Now you
may even get to bend a rod!

Seriously, get a fuel pressure gauge.   The pump was filled with crap. It
probably needs to be replaced. Even if it works for now how long before it
leaves you stranded? The tank was contaminated. At least drop it and get it
cleaned. The water and stuff inside is you sign the vapor recovery system is
probably leaking. Tank condensation only occurs if you are exchanging air.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Steve Cotsford
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2013 4:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Bluestar project.no start yet

Checking over the system as I have not started it yet.     I have managed to
get a few pops but no more.

I have fuel getting to the engine after several hours of work.   I managed
to get at least 3 cups of water out of the tank by continuously flowing
about 5 galls of gas through to the entry of the fuel pump and then
discarding the water etc.    The gas now comes out clear but there is
probably more rubbish in the bottom of the tank.       I have not yet bitten
the bullet to drop the tank.    The amount of rust I have seen is minimal
compared to the amount of what I assume to be water that settles at the
bottom of my containers.

I fitted a pre-filter before the pump and added fresh fuel to the tank.
Hopefully this will enable me to get the tank reasonably clean.
The fuel pump was pretty clogged and would not run but cleaning out on the
entry side enabled it to run and flow fuel.     Fuel that flows is clean.

I have run the pump to pressurize the system.    I see no fuel on the return
side of the pressure regulator however.    I think this means that I am not
building enough pressure to cause it to relieve although I can feel a
vibration on the regulator while the pump is running.

Am I correct in assuming that absence of fuel in the return indicates
insufficient fuel pressure ??    I don't have a gauge on hand yet.

How close to the bottom of the tank is the fuel pick-up?

The next job I think is to remove the injectors and test them and to more
accurately check the ignition timing.

Any other well known tricks to try?

Thanks Steve