Date:         Mon, 31 Jan 2000 12:54:36 -0800
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon power loss
In-Reply-To:  <85256877.006C6073.00@isserv9.idx.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 02:45 PM 01/31/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>Folks:
>My '87 Syncro Westie is experiencing some stumbling, hesitating,
sputtering....
>
>It occurs only after van has been run and then rests for a little while.
After I
>begin driving again (15-30 minutes later) as I drive, van looses power (ie,
>accelerator pedal does nothing when pressed) and will slow to a stop, but it
>won't stall - it seems to idle fine.
>
>The "trick" I use to get around it is to press in clutch, turn key off
then back
>on, then pop clutch out - effectively coast starting it. It'll run for
about 15
>seconds with no hesitation and then go back into power loss mode. If I do
this
>for 5 to 15 times, then it goes away.
>
>At first, I thought it had to do with water temp, but I don't know if it
does,
>as today temp guage went from cold white area to middle of dial and I was
still
>experiencing power loss.  Maybe it has to do with O2 sensor or Cat?
>
>I've replaced both sensors on thermostat housing. I have replaced O2
sensor last
>summer.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>Dan
>

Several possable causes. Check that a vaccum hose hasn't fallen ajar. False
air will cause your symptom.

Also, the exhaust could be restricted by innards of the oxy or muffler
breaking up. Tap on them with a hammer or heal of hand to hear anything
loose rattling inside.

If not those, fuel injection diagnosis is required to determine a lean
condition. This could be a problem of low fuel pressure or delivery, or a
bad sensor giving false info or no info the the ECU or even a loose ground
for any of several F.I. components. Check quickly for free movement of the
AFM flap.

Less probabal but possable, is low energy of ignition due to an imminant
failure of a component in that system or one of it's grounds or terminals.

The first two will take a few minutes. The last two can lead to several
hours of patient testing by taking the time to follow in order step by step
the diagnostic procedures given by Bentley.

T.P. Stephens aka Doktor Tim
San Juan Island, WA