Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 20:36:39 -0500
Reply-To: Alan Pickersgill <pickersgill@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alan Pickersgill <pickersgill@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: Sick Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
The way Doran Nugent describes the symptoms does not sound like the wiring
harness thing to me, but if it is I posted the part # in a message to the
list a couple of weeks ago. Look under Pickersgill - I'm the only one I've
seen on the list.
However I don't think that sounds like what's wrong. I had that problem and
its much more consistent with bucking, not so much loss of power.
FUEL STARVATION
What this sounds like to me is either some kind of fuel starvation,
intermittent pump problem or vacuum in the tank - blocked vent.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Another real possibility is the catalytic converter is broken inside and the
ceramic part is rotating to block the exhaust, then it moves to allow normal
flow and goes back and forth. It will feel v. much like fuel starvation. Can
be checked by waiting till you've got the symptoms, then check to see if
exhaust is coming out in normal volumes. Obviously check to determine normal
volumes/pressure on your hand when engine working normally - establish the
benchmark. I had this and it was quite confusing for a few days.
VALVE SEAT
One last possibility (I hope this isn't true as its pretty much terminal for
the engine) is that a valve seat has come unseated, then re-seated then
unseated etc. You can't hear any noise at highway speed just dramatic loss
of power. However in my case when I slowed down and the engine had something
to echo against ( a toll booth) when I rolled down the window I heard
something like a cross between a connecting rod about to come adrift and a
hydraulic valve bled dry. Mine got me from Pennsylvania (around the Bus
Depot) to Ottawa Canada (7hrs) but I had burned a piston by the time I got
there. Let's hope it's one of the easier things.
Alan Pickersgill
Ottawa Canada
----- Original Message -----
From: J. C. <jcblues@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2000 3:58 PM
Subject: Sick Vanagon
> My mechanic @ vw dealership predicted this would
> happen to my '84, and it did. Said it would feel like
> a gas problem but is actually electrical, and that VW
> sells a replacement wiring harness that can easily be
> installed by owner. Don't have the name of it here,
> but sounded like a common problem. Haven't gotten
> around to changing it out yet b/c it's so
> intermittent.
>
> Jim Carter
> 84 westy
> (the Orange Violin)
>
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