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Date:         Thu, 7 Sep 2000 12:59:50 -0500
Reply-To:     Holm <vholm@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Holm <vholm@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Runaway Dieselbox!
Comments: To: Chgolynch@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Blowby from your engine (usually caused by bad rings or a plugged breather system) is prbably where the oil came from in your breather tube. Eventually there was enough oil re-entering the airbox to allow the engine to run on its own.

Good thing you got it stopped; if the van had been put in neutral the engine likely would have kept revving until it flew apart. YIKES!

VH 84 Westy

-----Original Message----- From: Sean Lynch <Chgolynch@AOL.COM> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Date: 07 September, 2000 11:38 AM Subject: Runaway Dieselbox!

>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


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