Date:         Sat, 3 Nov 2001 17:54:30 -0500
Reply-To:     Greg Marshall <earthboy@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Marshall <earthboy@HOME.COM>
Subject:      high idle problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hello folks,

First of all, thanks to all who offered tips on replacing my valve
gasket covers.  The process went smoothly and I no longer have oil
leaking out onto my heater boxes, and consequently, my van doesn't smell
like burning oil when I'm driving anymore.  Anyhow, the latest problem
is a rather high idle when I stop at lights, stop signs and so on.  This
problem just started a couple weeks ago.  The van is an  82 aircooled
california model van.  Recently, I changed the exhaust system over from
the rotted out california setup to a setup with federal (49 state)
heater boxes and a bugpack header system.  With this system, I removed
the O2 sensor and the Cat, because I just couldn't work them into the
new setup.  The van is running very well, has lots of power, and my
mileage has only dropped a bit, about 19 mpg city.  I have recently
cleaned up all the grounds, fixed the vacum leaks, and replaced a few
other corroded connection in the engine bay.  One other thing to add is
that the van has no Idle stabalizer like the bentley says it should.  It
doesn't even have The two black plugs for the idle stabalizer.  However,
there is a screw hole beside the hall sender unit where I think the idle
stabalizer used to be.  It appears that the previous owner has removed
the idle stabalizer, and plugs, and connected the wires directly.  I can
see some wires with modern looking connectors attaching them together
over near the hall sender.  I'm new to being an aircooled mechanic, but
I'm learning fast, and I'm hoping I can figure out this idle problem on
my own.

Any suggestions of what to check, or if i should do anything about the
lack of 02 sensor and idle stabalizer?  Will putting these back in
somehow make the van run better?

Thanks a bunch. This list is the best.

Greg.