This last summer I met Randy in the the parking lot of Bow-Wow FLAPS here in
Victoria. We discussed engine bay temps and I mentioned that the stock heat
shield over the muffler (I retained the stock diesel muffler in my
conversion) helped to moderate the engine bay temperature. Randy's
conversion didn't have any shielding and has the added heat source of a cat.
We have no real proof, but we guessed that the radiant heat from the muffler
and the cat would make the engine compartment really toasty when the car is
idling or right after shut-down.

I have no hot start problems with my conversion (1800 Digifant). My computer
and ignition module are located under the back seat. The fuel pump relays
are mounted  on the forward firewall of the engine bay (I have replaced one
of those relays). The coil is mounted on the diesel fuel filter bracket.  I
added a plastic housing to the "back" of the alternator (from Porsche 944 I
think) that connects to a 2" hose. This supplies cool outside air to the
alternator (and maybe some ventilation when idling).

David Marshall's suggestion about checking the coolant temp sensor is a good
one.  It is easy to check resistance vs. temp, the details are in the big
grey Bentley. Replacements are cheap, I've had one for 75K miles :)

As to whether the car will run on 2-3 cylinders with a non-functioning fuel
pump, well my experience is the engine will not fire if the fuel pump is not
running.

Alistair

----------
>From: Randolph Feuerriegel <RFeuerriegel@BC.SYMPATICO.CA>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Eurospec problem
>Date: Tue, Oct 12, 1999, 10:54 PM
>

> Hi Grant
>
> I don't know if this helps or not, but I find that I have hot start
> problems if the van sits longer than 15 min. The 2.0 Audi requires a
> fair bit of fuel pressure and the stock vanagon pump I am using may be
> suspect. I don't think it has a check valve in it, but Jetta's etc do. I
> am thinking about changing fuel pumps. One difference though is that my
> FI is CIS-E and yours I believe is pulsed. My poor starts do clear up
> rather quickly once enough fuel is getting thru. I had never considered
> an electrical problem, but that also a possiblity for my setup. As you
> say, there is alot of heat in that engine bay.
> Good luck.
>
>