Date:         Wed, 10 Jul 2002 14:17:31 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: High elevation adjustments?
Comments: To: Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.GSO.4.44.0207080925340.1043-100000@paiute>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

If all is working well, the O2 sensor will adjust the mixture as needed.
Keep in mind that any normally aspirated engine will lose approximately 3%
of it's power for each 1,000 feet of elevation. This is due to the reduced
atmospheric pressure reducing cylinder capacity. My motor home with the Ford
V-10 also struggles at these altitudes.

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Andrew Fox
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2002 11:34 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: High elevation adjustments?


I routinely drive my van at elevations ranging from 5,000-14,000 feet here
in Colorado.  Above about 8,000 feet i experience loss of power such that
I am only able to maintain about 30 mph while keeping the engine floored
in second gear.  I know its a crime but i routinely drive my van with my
foot to the floor for a half hour or longer while going uphill in second
gear (auto tranny).  So my question is are there any adjustments I can
make to have a better high elevation driving experience?  Any Colorado
listees out there that can tell me if they get better or worse performance
on some of Colorado's steep/high highways (ie I-70)?  Going east up to the
eisenhower tunnel on I-70 my max speed is about 30 MPH (second gear, foot
to the floor, 2.1L, AT).

Thanks,
Andrew Fox
86 Westy
Ft. Collins CO