Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 17:58:32 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: Low Top Speed - Help! (revisited)
Why'd the PO D&C the cat? If it was falling apart, you might have bits of
cat material throughout your exhaust. This would cause your top end
performance to go straight to he**. It'd be a bit noisy, but you could try
what I did when a cat disintegrated on vacation a couple years ago. Remove
the muffler and spin a nut onto each muffler bolt so that there is a quarter
inch space between the cat and the muffler. Drive. If the muffler is
clogged, you'll feel like you're going like a bat out of hell. You'll sound
like it, too!
In answer to your question, "No, the holes in the muffler won't
significantly affect your performance".
Good luck,
Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: "gbasey" <gbasey@LINK2000.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2000 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: Low Top Speed - Help! (revisited)
> First, thanks to those of you who offered suggestions for this problem.
>
> A couple of you suggested the the full throttle switch. I tested it a few
> minutes ago and it responded as normal. I was hoping that was it. Also
> some suggested AFM, I tested all the resistences and adjusted the board a
> while back to no avail. Finally, the PO gutted the cat (good or bad) so
I'm
> sure it isn't plugged.
>
> While doing the tests I got an idea and plugged the exhaust to see what
> would happen. This might be a dumb idea but I wanted to see if the
exhaust
> had any leaks. On other cars plugging the exhaust would cause it to die.
> Not on my van. The exhaust just vented out the apparent leaks. Mostly
the
> left side heater box. the van didn't die, it just choked a little.
>
> Could these exhaust leaks be causing my problems?
> or
> have I been snuffing exhaust fumes to long?
>
> Gary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of gbasey
> Sent: Friday, March 10, 2000 11:05 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Low Top Speed - Help!
>
>
> I've been having this recurring and now constant problem with my '80
vanagon
> (California emissions).
>
> At idle everything is fine. Even when I drive at low speeds there's no
> problem. In fact since I've been working on this problem, I've got the
van
> running better then ever except at higher RPMs. When I depress the
throttle
> fully the van begins to sputter and lunge. I can't get over 45 mph.
>
> Here's what I've done already:
>
> 1 changed the entire ignition system (coil, wires, plugs, cap, rotor, and
> distributor - was worn) properly set idle and timing.
>
> 2 changed the o2 sensor and the temp sensor (both needed replacement)
>
> 3 cleaned the AFM contact points and checked all ground wires, and ECU
> wiring as per Bentley
>
> 4 checked compression (105-120 all around)
>
> 5 changed the fuel filter, and replaced all vacuum lines
>
> What could be causing this problem? I'm sure its probably in the fuel
> injection but am at a loss what to check.
>
> I'm located in western Indiana, does anyone know of a good mechanic in
> western/central Indiana?
>
>
> Thanks for you help
>
> Gary
> '80 westy (down but not out)
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