<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:16px;"><div>Re: '71 Sqbk w/ '73 engine and trans...manual:</div><div> Car runs great when it's running...BUT starting up takes some cranking...maybe a few cranks at each of maybe three no-start ignition attempts. But that's UNLESS I first just turn the key to run the fuel relay about 5 or 6 times...with usually the little high-pitched tone getting fainter and fainter as fuel pressure builds up (if that's what that sound indicates).</div><br><div>Then, after may one, or even half a crank, the engine will start..BUT with a rough kind of sputter moment, like it's clearing its throat. No exhaust cloud or anything. Then it runs fine, no stalling, idle just right, no oil light flicker, or etc. </div><div> That's about after car sits overnight. If it's been driven recently, it takes less of the key turns or cranks.</div><div> AND...the car has whiff of gas...yet no dripping evident anywhere. Is that our big clue to something specific?<br></div><br>PS: The No. 4 spark plug hasn't been cleaned or changed recently, like the others. Reason is that I think it's in somewhat off its threads and I don't want to mess with it unless parked outside of a VW garage that can do an insert job....but there's no more shops around that'll do old VWs.</div></body></html>