Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 22:27:29 -0800
Reply-To: Jere Hawn <jbrschawn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jere Hawn <jbrschawn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Strange problem with '91 Carat
In-Reply-To: <78.1e6d7ed2.2935b1f3@aol.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Hi Tom,
It sounds like it could be a static charge in the AFM which is solved with
adding an adapter (I got mine in 95 for $125). I have a 90 GL I am not sure
if this fix is applicable to your but it sounds like it
Jere
90 GL
88 GL
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
Tom Stone
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 7:20 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Strange problem with '91 Carat
I just returned from a Thanksgiving week trip from central Illinois to
Silverthorne, CO and back -- about 2400 miles in all. The van handled the
job remarkably in most respects. Mileage was 17.7 mpg on the westward leg
(uphill with an occasional west wind) and 20.1 on the return (downhill with
the same wind). This fall, I redid the valve adjustments and installed a
new, more accurate fuel pressure regulator. I couldn't be happier with the
mileage and performance in general.
However, when driving for extended periods of time with the cruise control
on, I began to experience Vanagon syndrome. Sometimes just a little hiccup
every now and then but occasionally a gut-wrenching, rod throwing, valve
sticking sensation that forced the foot to the clutch pedal and that van to
the side of the road while I listened for expensive noises. I fiddled with
turning the key off and coasting for a few seconds and with varying the
speed and that seemed to help so I'm pretty certain it is Vanagon syndrome.
I have the info on how to fix this with the tantalum capacitor so I'll
attack it before a trip to Florida and back for Christmas.
Another problem occurred that I have not seen mentioned on the list. If,
after sustained driving at speed with the cruise on, I pulled off onto an
exit ramp and slowed down, the van would not rev smoothly. It would idle,
occasionally stall, and rev very slowly regardless of the pedal position
until it reached 3k or so and then it would rev at higher rpms OK. When I
stopped for gas or to eat and the van cooled down, it would rev OK until I
got on the highway. I said "cool down" but the engine was not hot, the
needle was mid point-between the light and the marker on the cold side and
the outside temperatures were in the 30-60 range. I don't think it was heat
related.
Could this be related to the Vanagon syndrome, which I understand is
caused by static electricity affecting the FI computer? Both problems
seemed to go away when the engine was not running for 15 mins. or so. I
plan to check the AFM tracks as well. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Tom
'71 Westy, '85 Westy, '91 Carat
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