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Poor starting in the damp/after rainfall when cold

Posted: 13 Sep 2010, 19:23
by illzlee
weird one this, the van has been great over the last year apart from struggling to start after rain when staring from cold.

It doesn't matter whether it starts on lpg or petrol, from cold, it splutters and dies if its been raining. Once it's warm, it will start anytime!

over the last year, i've done a full service incl air filter/plugs/leads/dizzycap/rotor arm/choke pull down and i've rebuilt the pierburg carb with the seal/gasket kit from baxter.

It's a 1.9 dg, and in the dry runs perfectly - it was fine last winter but has developed this problem over the last 6 months.

All i can think of is air leak? but why would that make a difference.
Doesn't matter what temperature it is, cold or hot - if its wet and the engine is cold i'm going nowhere.

Re: Poor starting in the damp/after rainfall when cold

Posted: 13 Sep 2010, 19:39
by VWCamperfan
Thats classic plug lead problems but you say they have been renewed. Check inside distributor cap to make sure there is no condensation build up. Also, make sure there is no dirt around the top of the ignition coil where the HT lead connects.

Re: Poor starting in the damp/after rainfall when cold

Posted: 13 Sep 2010, 19:43
by illzlee
oh yeah, its also had a new coil!

'cos the HT to coil connection was rubbish.

Re: Poor starting in the damp/after rainfall when cold

Posted: 13 Sep 2010, 20:06
by Aidan
bad earths in the engine bay, on side of engine bay close to coil, ontop of engine near disi ? always worth doing and especially the earth crowns in the dash, nearside above glove box if windscreen is leaking (and most do) as one of the wires front to back is an earth

Re: Poor starting in the damp/after rainfall when cold

Posted: 13 Sep 2010, 20:09
by illzlee
cheers for that aidan, i'll have a go in the morning. it's give out rain overnight so i can see me playing in the engine bay at 7am tomorrow!

Re: Poor starting in the damp/after rainfall when cold

Posted: 14 Sep 2010, 18:05
by 08Kev
Spray WD40 over all the electrics.