[Vwdiesel] Occasional hard starting, ideas?

[David Cook]

As I said earlier, I got the clutch in yesterday, and
it drives well.

What I left out is this: 
When I went to test drive it, the first time I turned
the key, as the glow plugs cycled, all that really
happened was smoke came out of the engine compartment
and the area near the relays. (I presume the GP
Relay.)

I discovered that the little fuse box for the GPs was
shorted against the block.  (I've never screwed it to
the firewall... [sheepish look on face])

I quickly fixed that and finally got around to putting
in an actual fuse.  [another sheepish look]

I guess that little story was mostly for your
entertainment, but may help you help me.

Anyway, after taking care of the fuse deal I went to
start the car.

After much cranking, the engine wouldn't start.  I
verified that the relay was clicking when power was
applied, but it acted like (I thought) there was no
fuel.  The motor spun over very quickly   , but it
wouldn't start.

Eventually, it coughted a couple times and started
right up.  

This afternoon, after sitting for several hours, the
same thing happened.

It cranked and cranked (and quickly).  Every time I
cranked it, a little bit of smoke came out of the
tailpipe.  Finally, it started up, blew a ton of
smoke, and ran pretty well without smoke.

I'm kind of thinking that this means that maybe the
glow plugs aren't always running.

I had thought the relay was getting flaky because
sometimes the indicator (I know it is just a timing
light) didn't come on, I'd have to turn the key once
or twice extra to make it run.

Anyway, does it sound like probably the glow plugs
aren't running properly?

It seems weird that I'd get some smoke out of the
tailpipe before it would even cough while starting.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,

David

David Cook
Red '86 Cabriolet Diesel Powered
Red '90 g60 Corrado 
Brown and White '78 Westy Campmobile "Bear"
and others in various states of disrepair
Pictures here: community.webshots.com/user/superdave5599


		
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