Yet Another Hot Start Problem Solved

["Southerlin, Russell S" <russell.s.southerlin@lmco.com>]

Smitty and company,
I had more hot start problems rare their ugly head in the last couple of
weeks.  Smitty gave me some suggestions, most of which I had already tried
in one way or another over the last couple months.  I had narrowed it down
to leaking injector(s) - everything else checked out fine. One suggestion
Smitty had that I thought was worthwhile, was to check the spark plugs after
a hot soak and if the intake valve is open you will have a wet plug.  I took
his suggestion one step further and cranked the engine after a hot soak  but
not enough to let it start. I then pulled the plugs and #3 plug was soaked
with fuel!!!!!!!!!  I replaced #3 injector with an old used one I had and I
believe my starting problems are once again fixed.

BTW all my injectors were new/used/rebuilt from 1-800-VWPARTS or whatever
it is that they sell you as reconditioned.  I will have to see if they will
replace the bad one.

One other interesting thing I found: looking down into the spark plug hole
of #3 there was raw fuel inside the cyclinder on top of the piston!!!!!!!!!
Pretty scarey knowing I have been driving around with that much raw fuel
washing down the cyclinders for a month or so!!!!!!  A quick oil change is
in order.

It seems that pulling the spark plugs is a real easy way to check for
leaking injectors for hot start (or even cold start) problems.  I would also
suggest taking care of any starting problems as quickly as possible to
prevent oil contamination if it is leaking injectors.

Happy Troubleshooting!!!!!!!

Thanks Smitty

Russ
87 5KCSTQ
Littleton, CO