Date:         Sun, 19 Aug 2001 10:20:04 -0700
Reply-To:     jim&kim <ims14519@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jim&kim <ims14519@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Re: 89 Vanagon engine misfires, coughs, backfires, won't idle
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

  You have spent far to much money and received far to little in return. (1)
Pick up a Bentley manual and research the various systems in your new westy.
Bentley outlines a battery of test that can be performed at home, with
inexpensive tools, that will allow you to diagnose most anything that might
arise. (2) Find a local mechanic who regularly works on waterboxers.   If
you rely on the dealer for diagnostics and repair, you will quickly be cured
of any desire to own a vanagon.
Some folks mentioned fouled gas, check for this by removing the fuel line
coming from the tank to the filter/fuel pump. Drain a good measure of fuel
into a clear container and check for water /rust. If the fuel is
contaminated tank removal is not that big a deal. I did mine last week,
removed/rinsed/installed in an afternoon. If fuel is clean it is obviously
something else. From what you describe I would suspect fuel pressure
regulator. If you need help with anything feel free to contact me.  Good
luck,  Jim 83.5 westy.



> 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
>