> Date:    Thu, 25 Jun 1998 08:46:32 -0500
> From:    Berry <augrad65@MONT.MINDSPRING.COM>
> Subject: Diesel question
>
> My 82 diesel Vanagon starts quickly when it is cold, like after sitting all
> night.  It will also start quickly if restarted immediately after shutting
> it off.
> However, if after driving you shut it off and leave it for just a few
> minutes it does not restart easily (like after a stop at the service
> station).  It cranks over an unusually long time before starting,
> and then when it does start it blows out a lot of smoke initially.
> Can anyone explain this or tell me what to suggest to the mechanic to try to
> fix.
> The injection pump and injectors have recently been rebuilt.
> Thanks for any help.
> James Berry
> Pike Rd, Alabama (Montgomery)
>

Berry,

Try pulling the black knob that sits below the steering wheel (just to the left of the heater controls). This acts like a 'choke' on older gasoline cars (but instead of
richening the mixture, it adjusts the diesel injection timespot a little earlier) and will help you start immediately. Push the knob back in when the engine runs.

At least, that's how it works on my European-spec 1984 Westfalia diesel.

Regards,
Robin Oomkes
Leiden, The Netherlands
'84 Westfalia poptop diesel