James,

It would be worth checking the injector pump timing and the cold start
control to trouble shoot the missing when cold.  The miss can be a sign of
retarded injector timing.  If the injectors have more than 90,000 miles
on them, I would pull them and have a diesel injection shop check them
out.  The smoke could be caused by worn injectors. 

Mike
82 diesel

On Tue, 2 Jul 1996, Miller - James W. wrote:

> Hey Everyone,
> What would cause an 83 diesel vanagon to start stalling?
> 
> When I first start the van up it runs great.  I pull out ant drive 100 
> yards to a stop sign.  As I hit the breaks it begins to sputter then 
> stalls.  I have to then crank it over longer than usual to git it to 
> run.  I noticed a little bit of white smoke right after restart up.  It 
> runs fine after this and does not stall until it sits for the night.  
> This has happened maybe 4 times in the last month.  It seems as if it is 
> running out of fuel when it stalls.
> 
> I also have noticed more haze/light-dark smoke during acceleration and 
> normal driving.  It has never billowed smoke.  I first noticed the smoke 
> at night as a car was tailgating me on the highway.  Looked hazy in the 
> guys headlights. 
> 
> any answers --suggestions?
> 
> Jim Miller
> RADHAUS 83 diesel westy
>