Date:         Tue, 24 Oct 2000 20:07:19 EDT
Reply-To:     CMathis227@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chuck Mathis <CMathis227@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Emissions Problems/90 Vanagon Syncro
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I'm in the process of replacing the exhaust system in my '85.  After reading
all the posts about the hollow cats on the mid '80's non-California models I
expected to find a hollow cat since I purchased the van with only 41K miles
from an older couple that bought the van new in Ohio -- should have factory
non-CA system.  The cat is not hollow.  Lucky for me it is in good shape.

While doing some field work on the Nisqually River in Washington I found a
guy dinking with his '83/'84 Vanagon and we talked about the hollow cat
posts.  I wandered off to get some work done and when I came back he had his
off and was making it hollow with a hammer and large screwdriver!  His system
had been replaced at some point so I don't know if his non-hollow cat was
original.  Of course he also insisted his system had been installed backward
and his van had a Porsche engine -- the tailpipe came out on the right hand
side and the bottom of his engine looked just like my 1.9 only grubbier.

If I needed a new cat I'd find a generic high flow model like the ones sold
by A-1 Performance here in Houston (they're going to be fitting my van with a
Dynomax muffler in the next week or so).  I believe The Bus Depot and
Van-Again have stock replacements for around $100 a pop.  On my 1.9 I'd try
fiddling with the idle speed and timing (if the readings were close) but I'm
not sure how much you can do with the Digifant.  Another thing you might want
to do is make sure all the air intake related hoses and seals downstream of
the AFM are in perfect condition -- a little unmetered air could throw you to
the rich side.

Chuck
'85 Westy Wolfsburg

In a message dated 10/24/00 6:43:30 PM, koloski@TOAD.NET writes:

<< When I replaced the exhaust system on my '90 Vanagon GL, which I bought new

in Maryland (in '98 I think, at about 140k miles, but

I don't keep good records) I observed it to be full of an (intact) ceramic

honey comb. I reused my cat. If I had needed to replace it  and VW wanted a

ridiculous amount for a new one I would not have hesitated to an install an

"el-cheapo universal replacement".

----------

From: Gary Stearns <gstearns@SPRINTMAIL.COM>

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Subject: Re: Emissions Problems/90 Vanagon Syncro

Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 8:07 AM


I posted a similar question about the empty cat a month or two ago.  The

list provided several responses saying that they were delivered this way

new!  Seems that VW equipped the Vanagons headed for California with cats,

and rather than design a new exhaust for non-california vehicles, they just

installed empty cats.  This made sense to me cuz my cat showed no evidence

that it ever had any guts in it.  It was an empty can.  The Vanagon was

imported as a light truck not a passenger car.  I think this is how VW

could get away with this.  Your emissions problems can probably be solved

without the cat.


Gary

  ----- Original Message -----

  From: Roger & Marilyn Ehret

  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

  Sent: Monday, October 23, 2000 11:04 PM

  Subject: Emissions Problems/90 Vanagon Syncro



  HELP!


  I am having a problem with emissions on my 90 Syncro Westy.  It failed

the emission test here in WA, but only on the hydrocarbons at idle.  It

passed the hydrocarbons at 2500 RPM.  It also passed the CO and CO2 at idle

and at cruise.  Subsequently, I found that the catalytic converter was

empty!  What's the best way to solve this as I can't renew my license tabs

until it passes the emissions test.


  Is it possible to lean it down on idle to pass for HC?  Do I have to

install a new cat.-- they are expensive.  Does the engine run better, ie,

better mpg and power, w/o the cat?  Any experts on this subject out there?

 If I need to install a cat. to pass the test, anyone in my area

(Seattle/Tacoma) have a cheap used one?


  Also, need because of rock damage:

                                Right Main Headlamp (lens unit only)

                                Left High Beam Headlamp (lens unit only)


  Thank you, Roger Ehret, Gig Harbor, WA  (253) 851-6100  e-mail:

ehretrm@msn.com >>