[T3] Couldn't start in the rain

Aaron Leiby fireonyoursleeve at hotmail.com
Sat Oct 13 13:36:32 PDT 2012


Sounds like a common problem.  I've sifted through the archives and found lots of stuff to try, but so far have been unsuccessful in getting things to start.  Hopefully, I can describe my specific situation and get a little more specific in things to try here.
If I leave my car out, and it rains overnight, it refuses to start - usually until we've had a couple nice days for it to dry out.  Starts up great normally.
I have a small leak in the back that I think is coming in where the hinges on the back door connect... at least that's where it tends to pool below.  I've never caught it in action.  The rubber mat catches this water, however, and does not appear to get anywhere near the engine.
I have a kit to replace the air vent tubes for my gas tank, but have never gotten around to it.  This seems like an unlikely culprit, however, as I believe that's only a problem when driving around and water gets splashed up there by the tires?  My problem happens when the car is just sitting outside in the rain, having not been driven at all.  Also, I wouldn't expect if water got in the tank, that it would clear itself up after a day or two of sunshine.
I've checked all around the engine and nothing looks damp at all.  I have those spark plug cover things, though they are a bit cracked, but didn't see any sign of moisture.
I had my wife turn the engine over while I looked for sparks, but didn't find anything.  I may have to try again when it's dark out.
The distributor cap, rotor, points and spark plug cables have all been recently replaced.   The old spark plug cables had cracked and were giving off shocks, which is why they were replaced.  I was hoping this was the culprit, but appears not to be the case.  The points and rotor were replaced because they had .. I forget what it's call... carbon build up from bad sparking?  Seems potentially related pointing to a larger issue?
I have a couple leaks up in the footwell area on both sides (though it might be a single leak that just drains to one side or the other based on which way the car is leaning).  This usually shows up near the doors.  I can't tell if it's just coming in from the doors, or elsewhere.  I know some people have reported leaking from the antenna area which gets into the fusebox.  I haven't had any indications that I'm getting leaks around there, but I suppose I should double check to make sure that's not getting wet.  I'd expect more severe problems in that case though (like wouldn't turn over at all).
So yeah, the starter works fine.  It just turns without ever firing up.  Seems like an ignition problem.  Occasionally, when I let off the key, it'll sputter to life for a second before dying out.  Seems like maybe a clue?
This is a 72 Squareback.  Fuel Injected.  I pulled the computer as well, and that was all nice and dry and sealed up, and made sure to fit the tabs in correctly so no water gets in from there (I had fixed this a long time ago, but figured it was worth double checking).
Anyway, I'm stumped.  Hopefully someone here can help me out.  The good folks at thesamba.com pointed me this way.
Thanks! 		 	   		  
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