[Vwdiesel] '93 EV no-start - help ??

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/25/2005 12:07:08 PM Pacific Standard Time, rbp at 4u2bu.org 
writes:

> >indicator reads 1.00 mm up from ZERO (is this correct? travel of dial 
> indicator
> >is @ 2.2 mm total per cyl (varying not more than 0.025 mm at the troughs 
> and
> >peaks))

  All of the >4 cylinder VW/Audi/Volvo diesels I've worked on had 
thermostatic controlled timing advance.  If that's not released then 
it's like setting the timing with the advance knob pulled out.


> >starter:
> >- repacked &greased; spins fine, but batterie(s) are somewhat run down; 
> tried
> >jumping it from a second vehicle; not a real fast spin, but should have 
> been
> >enough to fire

  I just started the Dasher the other day after sitting several weeks.  It 
took 
about 3 sessions of a good 20 to 30 seconds of cranking to get it to fire.  
It 
takes a bit to get the pump going even if you make sure and fill it.  The 
faster 
it cranks the quicker it gets fuel to the cylinders.  :-)  Slow to slowish 
cranking 
can easily have the cranking speed too low by the time fuel gets there.

> 
> >fuel:
> >- I'm not seeing much fuel move in the return lines; pump does not seem to 
> be
> >drawing much from the tank; I did nothing to the IP except remove throttle
> >shaft
> >and replace it; don't think I messed anything up (I've done this before and 
> it
> >ran fine afterwards)
> >- I'm not smelling anything at the exhaust on cranking; this indicates to 
> me
> >that either NO fuel is getting to injectors or timing is WAY off (like pump 
> is
> >180° out)

  Even at 180 out, you'd get raw fuel smell and it WON'T start with it being
a 5 banger.  Sounds like it hasn't fully primed up.  Might fill the pump, 
through the return line banjo, with fuel and try again.


> to fire, a diesel engine needs:
> - adequate compression;
> - correct timing;
> - proper fuel delivery;
> am I forgetting something?


  Air.  Easy one to overlook is air.  Especially in cold weather and/or slow 
cranking speeds.


> >BTW, when I spin the engine by hand, I hear a series of "pocking" sounds, 
> like
> >tennis balls on concrete
> >not loud, and not on every cylinder, but maybe 3 out of 5
> >I am assuming this is valves closing
> >is this normal (for a rebuilt head), or is this why I'm sitting here not 
> moving
> >(no compression)?


  I usually only notice a huffing/hissing sound as air leaks past the rings, 
when cranking by hand.  Don't often go full tilt past TDC and all that by 
hand though.  
     Loren