[T3] Cold Starting Problem

[Bob Rogers]

The fuel pump is a newly re-build.  The fuel pressure was originally steady at 31psi.  I thought that top limit might be causing the engine to flood in cold temperatures so I adjusted it to 28lbs. Cold starting problems occur at any temperature under 50 degrees.  Average high temperature here in Kansas this time of the year is about 30 degrees. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Adney 
  To: type3 at vwtype3.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [T3] Cold Starting Problem


  On 22 Dec 2010 at 17:03, rcrogers1 at peoplepc.com wrote:

  > My '73 FI Squareback seems to have developed a cold weather starting
  > problem.  I have set the valves, installed the distributor that Jim
  > repaired, set the timing, checked that all of the wires are connected
  > and set the fuel pressure to 28lbs.  It takes five or six tries to get
  > started.  Once the engine is warmed it starts much better.  One
  > peculiar thing-It seems to respond better (start) if I pump the
  > accelerator.  I don't know why that would be in an FI car.  

  First off, what is "cold" for you?

  When you set the fuel pressure, was it off? Was it stable while you 
  watched it? The pressure regulators VERY seldom need adjustment. I've 
  NEVER had to re-adjust one, unless it had been tampered with.

  Try this: Next time you park the car, let it cool off for a few 
  hours, then restart it and let it run just long enough to get all 
  cylinders firing, less than 1 minute. Then let it sit for a few more 
  hours, or overnight. Next morning see if it starts right up like it 
  should.

  If it does, the solution is to add a switch under the dash to run the 
  fuel pump for a few seconds before you try to start the car. I have 
  these switches in each of my cars and I sell a kit to add this to any 
  FI type 3 ($10 for MT, $11 for AT.)

  This MAY be a hint that your fuel pump is about to crap out. They're 
  all starting to do this by now. There's a small rubber bit inside 
  there that serves as a check valve and after 30+ years, those bits of 
  rubber are starting to crumble. If/when that happens to you, the car 
  will no longer run at all, but sometimes we get some warning shots 
  before the whole thing disintegrates.

  I can rebuild the pump and replace the rubber bit with a Teflon piece 
  that I machine to fit. The cost for this is $75 plus return shipping. 
  The rebuilt pump will be more robust than the original.

  -- 
  *******************************
  Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
  Madison, Wisconsin, USA
  *******************************

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