Hello members - my first posting, be kind... :) I am not a mechanic, just a hobbyist with limited knowledge but wanting to be more self-reliant. I've seen that this group is made up of many very talented, knowledgeable members. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
My issue: '87 Vanagon, updated the engine to a Subaru Legacy 1990-1994 model, end of 2022. ODB1. The engine has generally performed brilliantly compared to the older waterboxer (speed! climbing hills!). However, one show stopper has kept me from enjoying this performance increase. During cold weather (defined as anything colder than about 45 degrees), the engine will not start. It turns over effortlessly, but never "catches", for lack of a better description. As the temperature rises to somewhere above this, it starts easily.?
I have a video - about 197 mb - that demonstrates the problem. I think that is too large for this message system. Any way to get the video out to interested members?
I have checked the grounding, it appears solid. The original team who did the conversion - name withheld for now - recently changed the MAF sensor, put a different computer in, and checked fuel pressure, which was ok. No improvement. If anything it starts a bit rougher, much lower idle than before the changes. Perhaps they modified the idle system, or the computer is now affecting something else. I am not sure. Now they are thinking to check the crank shaft sensor. I will be taking it to them again (6 hour drive from my house!) next week for round two. It is REALLY hard to test as the company I am working with is in San Diego area which doesn't often get the cold weather to test against. And now spring is here. But the intention is to be able to visit more extreme areas (mountains, deserts, etc) and I simply can't take the vehicle into these areas currently.?
I am hoping to learn where we should be looking. My thought is that a sensor or two or three may be feeding the ECU incorrect or incomplete information after a cold night in the elements. Anywhere else we should be considering? Many thanks for any input you are willing to share.?
-Terry
Terry Cline