Date: Wed, 16 May 2001 07:40:15 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@charter.net>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@charter.net>
Subject: Re: New Engine, Poor Power, Low Gas Mileage - Update
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Mike, I just went a round with my 88 GL w/2.1L WBX engine. I had a
surgeing or bucking problem. Fortunately, Joel Walker, list member, put
me on track to a quick identification of the problem and a temporary fix
so I could use the vehicle.
With the engine warm, disconnect the idle stabilizer valve which is
right on top of the engine ....very prominent.... and then check your
idle RPM. Should be 850 rpm. If not, adjust to 850. Then drive the
vehicle with the stablilizer valve disconnected. If you have a
stabilizer valve problem, the engine should run smooth in all ranges. If
not, then the problem is elsewhere. This is a quick and easy check and
worth doing.
My problem was my stabilizer valve.The faulty valve caused the engine to
run very rich, and rough. An overly rich engine will not develop proper
power.
Good Luck,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Mike Finkbiner wrote:
>
> I haven't put many more miles on my new Boston Bob engine, although now I
> can track it with the odometer working again, but I finally got into the
> shop to have the emissions tested.
>
> To re-cap, I have about 1200 miles on a new 2.1l engine with a longer
> duration cam and ported and polished heads. The gas mileage has been about
> 15-16, power off the line is poor, and it surges rythmically at times.
>
> My digitool readings look normal. The one problem we have found is the fuel
> pressure regulator is running about 4 psi high.
>
> I had a local shop run the vehicle emissions tests, assuming that if the
> fuel pressure regulator were the problem we would see it there. Here's the
> results -
>
> RPM Idle 1800 2800
>
> HC 1398 299 140
> CO 1.51 0.94 0.66
> CO2 8.86 12.7 13.8
>
> According to the mechanic, that looks pretty good. He doesn't see any need
> for adjustments to the AFM idle mixture screw. The one thing he thought was
> high was the Idle HC, and a longer duration cam could explain it.
>
> Not sure what to do next. We will probably check the valve adjustments, and
> have discussed replacing the Temp II just because it's cheap, but with the
> digitool readings looking good, I'm not sure. I sort of hate to just throw
> parts at it. Do you suppose the pressure regulator could be a problem, but
> it isn't showing up in high CO?
>
> Mike Finkbiner
> '87 Westy
> Moscow, Idaho
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