Date:         Wed, 9 Aug 2000 10:11:43 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.com>
Subject:      Re: Sluggish
Comments: To: Richard Ferguson <fergusrh@yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To:  <20000808121048.24393.qmail@web3203.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 05:10 AM 8/8/00 -0700, Richard Ferguson wrote:
>Hi Volks,
>
>I'm wondering why my 85 Westie with the rebuilt 2.1 litre engine with
>the ratio rockers and new valves is still so sluggish. I literally have
>to keep the pedal all the way down constantly to maintian 60-70mph once
>it gets up to speed, which can take an eternity sometimes. It is really
>frustrating to have spent so much money and have such minimal
>performance to show for it. The last mechanic to work on it is the best
>I have met yet...he adjusted and tuned everything as good as can be
>expected...he did mention he thought the compression was on the low
>side... around 120...what could cause this on a year old rebuild? also
>I recently put a fuel injector cleaner in the tank but that has not
>seemed to help either. Thanks for any helpful advice.
>Rick

A few things to check besides the top.  Brake drag can be a real pain.  It
may only show up at higher speeds. Look for stuck e-brake cables and
hardware.  You may live in an area that is just now getting re-formulated
gas. (if you want to call the stuff in the pumps gas anymore, heck it
doesn't even smell like gasoline).  If you're tuned for gas and you're
running this modern junk your performance could go right down the drain.

Check also for:
Spark advance.. no advance means really poor performance
Fuel Pump Pressure
restricted fuel filter
low tire pressure (a long shot)
something stuck under the gas pedal  (don't laugh, I've done it.. drove me
nuts for 2 days)
large bungee cords tied to bumper
Cow stuck under van (this problem will typically go away after a few trips
though)

Good Luck
Chris Smith