Re: 4000Q that won't start after a good rain?

[Jeremy R King <kingjer@eng.auburn.edu>]

First and easiest thing to check is the distributor.  Make sure the cap
isn't cracked like on my old Quantum wagon.

Jeremy R. King
'86 VW Quantum GL5
Auburn University, Alabama, USA

On Fri, 10 May 1996, John wrote:

> Please help!  My '85 4000Q is getting harder and harder to start.
> 
> In the morning after a rain, the starter seems strong, but nothing
> else happens - except that after after 5 seconds of the starter turning,
> I hear a small thump or clunk.  When I release the starter, sometimes
> I hear a tiny hint that it might be starting, but that's all.
> 
> I tried DRYGAS twice, and after a couple of hours it started.  But once
> I just waited a couple of hours without DRYGAS and it started.  But lately
> it's been raining a lot and I haven't driven my Audi in 2 days.  I am trying
> DRYGAS again this morning.
> 
> I tried jumping it (more volts) and that didn't help at all.  A visual
> inspection also turned up nothing obvious.
> 
> Some of my vaccuum tubing is a bit old - can a vaccuum leak cause this?
> 
> Why does it seem to happen after a good rain!?  All suggestions welcome!
> 
> Thank you,
> John
>