Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000 21:42:23 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject: Re: Engine stops running at red lights
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Julie, all the 1988 vanagon based vehicles, including the '88 Westfalia had
2.1 liter fuel injected wasserboxer engines. (affectionately known by list
members sometimes as wasserleakers due to their propensity to have leaking
coolant seals.... or WBX)
Unless your engine was modified with carburetors, there should be only a
Digifant Fuel Injection System present. It is pretty straight forward.
Pretty simple in operation. Pretty automatic in its operation.
I can't answer to a WBX retrofitted with a carburetor, but if it does in
fact have fuel injection, the idle might be a little low...900rpm would be
better. Also, if the Digifant system is present, you idle problem at stops
is probably due to a faulty idle stabilizer valve. The stabilizer keeps the
engine idling on cold starts and under certain other conditions, like when
the engine drops back to idle at a stop light. The valve can actually be
fully functional but if the idle mixture is not properly adjusted so the
proper rpm is maintained, the engine will die at every stop. The mixture
must be set to idle at 900 to 950 rpm. On the fuel injection system there is
a funny little device that is toward the rear of the vehicle, and mounted on
the fuel injection system. It lays horizontal crossways to the vehicle. On
the left end there is a connector. After warming the engine thoroughly, turn
the engine off, then disconnect that wire. Start the engine. If the idle
mixture is proper, it should idle at 900 to 950 rpm. If the engine dies, the
mixture needs adjusting. There is a large screw slot on the throttle body
that is the mixture control. I am trying to recall, but it seems you have to
turn that screw to the left but one way will increase it the other will
decrease the mixture. When you have it idling again at 900 to 950 rpm, shut
the engine down, reconnect the idle stabilizer connection and start it back
up. It should idle smoothly if the stabilizer is ok. If not, just disconnect
and go about your business until you can replace it. The engine will be hard
to start when cold because it won't idle until warmed up.
Get yourself a copy of the Bentley publication for Vanagons. The Westfalia's
are in there.
Now, if in fact you do have a carburetor, I can't help, but maybe some other
list member can.
But I think it's a poor mechanic who would swap a really good fuel injection
system for a carburetor. Fuel injection systems are much more fuel efficient
than carburetors.
Good luck.
John Rodgers
"88 GL Driver
Julie Tremblay wrote:
> Hi everybody,
>
> I'm new on the list so here's a quick intro: I live in Montreal, Quebec,
> and own (with my boyfriend) a '88 Westfalia. We have it since 1996. We
> bought it from a "mecanician" who did some work on it.... let's say we
> had to put some money, and then more, to get it back in shape! At least,
> now we know a little bit more about buying used vehicules...
>
> We have a weird problem since a couple of summer: whenever we slow down
> for a stop sign or red light, or sometimes when making a turn, the
> engine just stops. We hear a little click, and then nothing!
>
> We will take a look at the carburator to see if it needs to be cleaned.
> or would a new carburator kit resolve the problem? We were also thinking
> maybe the gas pump needs to be changed. The engine idles at around 800
> rpm - is that ok?
>
> Did someone already had this problem? Anyone has any idea of what we
> should be checking before we get ruined at the mecanics?!?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Julie Tremblay
> Montreal, Quebec
> Westfalia '88
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