Date:         Wed, 5 Sep 2001 16:24:35 -0300
Reply-To:     Malcolm Stebbins <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Malcolm Stebbins <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
Organization: Mount Saint Vincent University
Subject:      Re: Help Please; engine bogging loseing compression and shutting
              off
Comments: To: Chris W <Madinvestor2001@AOL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <119.4459034.28c7c507@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Same symptoms happened to me.  Turned out it was the
fuel pump that was intermittently (and randomly) failing.
It was good for awhile and the cut off and I rolled to a
stop.  What was so maddening about it was that when I
was trying to diagnose the problem I could hear the fuel
pump pumping up (when I turned the Key 'on') and I
then eliminated that as a problem.  After 3 different
mechanics in the Wash DC area, the third mechanic put
on a fuel pump gauge and showed me that when the
engine cut out, the fuel pressure went to zero.  NEw
fuel pump and away I went.

So, when your van cuts out, can you still hear the fuel
pump ticking?? IMHO Put a fuel pressure gauge on it if
you can.

This is just a SWAG but something that you did not
mention in your post as either being suspect or having
been replaced.

FWIW I'm guessing that compression has nothing to do
with your problem, you are loosing spark or fuel.
Compression goes slowly over time or goes CLUNK-
DAMN.

Good luck,  Malcolm