Date:         Thu, 1 Mar 2001 21:21:52 -0500
Reply-To:     James Flanigan <vanagon40@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         James Flanigan <vanagon40@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Creek crossing (rainy day) blues
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

I think I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but do not rule out a
water/fuel problem.  This problem drove me crazy for almost a year.  There
are two plastic tanks located directly behind the two front tires.  They
have lines running from the bottom directly to the gas tank.  On top the
tanks, there are large, round seals (with more lines).  On my van, the top
seals were bad.  Every time it rained heavily, my van ran like crap, but the
problem cured when the road dried and the sun came out.  It turned out water
was going in those plastic tanks and then directly to the gas tank.  Between
running on watery gas and plugging the fuel filter, sometimes I was lucky to
hit top speeds of 15 MPH.  To compound my problem, the fuel line froze in
the winter, until I began buying fuel antifreeze (alcohol) in bulk.

I found the problem by removing the engine cover one night following a heavy
rain when the van running lousy.  I installed a fuel pressure gauge and also
hooked up a timing light to on cylinder.  I had one of my kids monitor the
fuel pressure, while the other pulled the trigger on the timing light.  Sure
enough, good spark, low pressure.  I determined my fuel filter was plugged
only because it was 10:00 p.m., and the only possible thing I could buy to
attempt to fix the problem was a fuel filter.  Replaced the filter and ran
like new.  I spent the next several months replacing fuel filters on a
regular basis until I located the defective seals.  I have no idea what
purpose the plastic tanks serve.

The symptoms sound identical.  Often, the morning after a heavy rain, the
van would appear to be running on maybe two cylinders.  Driving down the
road, thing would eventually begin improving, and it seemed the other
cylinders would begin firing one at a time.

Like everyone else, I was convinced this was an electrical problem--wet
weather problems = electrical problems, right?  Not necessarily.  I may be
way off base, but though I would share this experience.  Good luck.
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