Date:         Sat, 18 Aug 2001 19:04:22 -0700
Reply-To:     gregg and allison <ellins@SPEAKEASY.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         gregg and allison <ellins@SPEAKEASY.ORG>
Subject:      89 Vanagon engine misfires, coughs, backfires, won't idle
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I am a new proud owner of an 89 Westfalia. I do emphasize proud, but there
is a large problem. I have spent roughly $2700 in repairs at the local VW
dealership trying to get the engine to run the way it's supposed to. They
first replaced the O2 sensor, one head gasket, cat converter, muffler.
Allegedly, it ran great and passed the smog inspection. After driving around
the block from the dealership, I noticed it was missing -- a lot. And, it
was running very rough.

Took it back to the shop and they spent two days figuring out that the
injectors were fouled and needed to be replaced. Ok, another $800. I picked
it up and it ran great.....for about 20 miles. Then, it started missing,
coughing, cutting out and bogging down when trying to accelerate. When I was
able to get the rpms up, it ran a lot smoother. But, when I turned off the
engine and then back on.....lots of bogging down, missing, coughing, etc.
Once I was able to get the rpms up, it then ran a lot better.

Oh, I should also mention that it won't idle upon initial start up. It'll
run roughly for a few seconds then die. After this is fixed, I will NOT be
using the services of the overpriced VW dealership. One thing I was willing
to pay for was their expertise. Since this has proven not to be the case I
will look for a good independent Vanagon mechanic.

Any ideas on the root source of the problem and a good Vanagon shop in the
Hollywood, California area?

Thanks in advance,

-Gregg