Date:         Thu, 7 Sep 2000 12:29:26 EDT
Reply-To:     Chgolynch@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sean Lynch <Chgolynch@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Runaway Dieselbox!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Well, I had a rather hair-raising experience yesterday. My diesel Vanagon
decided to start accelerating by itself, would not switch off by the key, and
was stopped only by jamming it into 4th and standing on the brakes until it
stalled. Fortunately, this all happened in a matter of seconds. Nothing seems
to have blown up, but I noticed copious amounts of oil down the breather tube
that runs from the valve cover to the intake manifold. I suspect it started
siphoning oil, and running on straight engine oil. The oil level wasn't low,
the temp was fine, and the engine gave no prior warnings befor doing this. No
leaks or drips, just a lot of smoke when it started running straight oil. I
notice the breather in the valve cover is kinda clogged, but what else could
cause this condition? After cooling off for a while, I drove it home safely,
and since it didn't repeat the scenario, I think it's safe to say it hasn't
eaten any rings. It has a plastic splashguard under the valve cover, too. I'm
at a loss though, and so is my buddy who runs a VW shop. Dieselheads beware!
However, the acceleration curve is pretty nice...;)

                                     -Sean L.

                                              '82 GL Diesel "Donder"
                                              '86 GL "Blitzen"
                                              '86 GL Weekender "no name"
                        coming soon!   '80 L