Itinerant Air-Cooled

Ever since I got my bus up and running it has always had what i think is a long cranking before firing up problem. I really havent looked at it too closely other than checking fuel pressure which i think is in spec. My bus does this hot or cold so i dont think it is the CSV. I think my pressure is bleeding off somewhere. Is it true that both the fuel pump and the fuel pressure regulator is responsible for holding the pressure in the lines? If so there must be some sort of check valve in both. How do i find out which is bad? If not please point me in the right direction. Thanks.

I know you know this, but in case someone else sees this in the future, one cause for having to crank a long time before the engine catches is points that are out of adjustment.

IFBwax wrote:I know you know this, but in case someone else sees this in the future, one cause for having to crank a long time before the engine catches is points that are out of adjustment.

I run pertronix

RZAR wrote:

IFBwax wrote:I know you know this, but in case someone else sees this in the future, one cause for having to crank a long time before the engine catches is points that are out of adjustment.

I run pertronix

What are your other specs? Year, fi or carb, etc...

chitwnvw wrote:

RZAR wrote:

IFBwax wrote:I know you know this, but in case someone else sees this in the future, one cause for having to crank a long time before the engine catches is points that are out of adjustment.

I run pertronix

What are your other specs? Year, fi or carb, etc...

Dang, Im sorry. 1977 bus stock 2L with FI

You can go to your profile and put a description of your bus and engine there, and it will appear in all your posts at the bottom. You can also state your location. That might help in connecting with other local VW owners.

Welcome to the IAC!

"a long cranking before firing up problem"
I have a 78 2.0 FI, and I had the same problem a little while ago. It drove me crazy trying to find and fix it.
I checked and/or replaced everything in the fuel system and still had the problem; the engine would turn over forever before it would finally catch and start.
I found that a rubber fuel line had collapsed internally. I had previously replaced ALL of the lines, and apparently this section was bad. It was the short line that runs from the pressure regulator to the tank return. The line looked normal from the outside, but when I felt it I could tell that it was soft. The outlet from the regulator and the other steel line were misaligned just enough (sort of like this -~-) to cause the rubber line to bend and pinch shut.
I replaced the line and the engine has started within a turn or two ever since.

Check all your fuel lines carefully. I hope your problem is that simple.

I know this is long over due but i havent had a chance to work on the bus for a while until this weekend. I think I might have stumbled on the problem. I found that inside CSV connector (harness side) there is a broken terminal. I was able to pull the wire out of the connector. Now i just need to find a replacement. Would this cause long cranking times cold or hot? I went on to Youtube and Ratwell to listen on how the engine is supposed to start up and it seems it should start rather quickly.

You can get that terminal from a number of places including Bus Boys.

While you are in there, make sure you are getting 12 volts to the Thermotime switch.

Stick your fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail to remove any doubt about your residual fuel pressure.