[Vwdiesel] '84 Quantum TD no start :(

[Andrew Buc]

Here's where things stand now:

No visible/smellable diesel on or around the IP. Fusible link looks  
OK, and while I was in there I brushed everything w/contact cleaner.

I got in touch w/the guy I bought the car from, and he was kind  
enough to make some suggestions, including this one:

"Fuel delivery (can you see fuel and maybe a few little air bubbles  
moving through the big clear fuel line when the engine is being  
cranked?).

"Plugged fuel filter (usually lots of big air bubbles and maybe no  
fuel in the clear line).  Usually a plugged filter manifests as  
gradual loss of power over several miles."

Well, I got a helper to crank it over while I watched, and I have the  
"no fuel in the clear line" symptom in spades, although I hadn't  
gotten the gradual loss of power when the car was running. I replaced  
the fuel filter, and still no fuel in the clear line.

Air filter looks good--not brand new, but not obviously filthy.

At this time, the question of whether the glow plugs are heating is  
still unaddressed. The reversible ratchet wrench was so handy when I  
was working on the wiper linkage a few weeks ago that I'd like to  
have one the right size (8mm, IIRC) to unhook the bus bar from the  
glow plugs, assuming that I go that route. Or I may want to get an  
infrared thermometer, and this looks like a decent one:

http://urlzip.org/bApbrF

In any event, I wouldn't be able to get the ratchet wrench or IR  
thermometer until later in the week, which pushes back checking the  
GP's to the weekend of Jan. 6-7.

I was thinking of ordering a GPR and ratchet wrench (or IR  
thermometer) on the theory that if nothing else, I've had them for  
future use. But at this point I'm inclined to hold off buying  
anything to pursue the glow plug angle until I've resolved the no- 
fuel angle.

Suggested next step(s)? Happy New Year!