Date:         Fri, 19 Jul 2002 22:31:00 -1000
Reply-To:     Ed Sato <edsato@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ed Sato <edsato@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: future is looking bleak....(no Fish content)
Comments: To: keepongrowin@HOTMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Sounds like your catalytic convertor may be toasted. If it is your
exhaust system will be like a potato plugging it when the engine gets
hot.The valve noise is probably from the clogged convertor. Try checking
the exhaust pressure with your hand when the motor is hot.  Hope this
helps. Aloha, Ed


On Fri, 19 Jul 2002 16:55:50 -0400 Richmond Mike
<keepongrowin@HOTMAIL.COM> writes:
> Ok, So I just replaced the AFM with a used and much cleaner part. I
> thought
> this should do it. It does seem to be idling and picking up much
> better at
> first, but after picking up speed and then when coming to a stop and
> then
> accelerating again it's the same old thing. No response after
> stepping on
> the pedal till I mash it to the floor.
>   Also the exhaust is definitely getting MUCH hotter than normal.
> Now the
> mechanic that saw it last week (who doesn't have much vw exp.) heard
> noises
> from the valves on the right side. Till my usual guy gets back from
> vacation
> I won't know for sure what I'm dealing with. So, if any of you could
> tell me
> your stories, experience, or give me some hope I would greatly
> appreciate
> it.
> million thanks
> -Mike
> 85 wolfsburg weekender automatic
>
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: "Robert Steven Fish" <fish@salzburg.co.at>
> To: "Richmond Mike" <keepongrowin@HOTMAIL.COM>
> CC: "Vanagon Mailing List" <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: Re:      future is looking bleak..
> Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 13:27:15 +0200
>
> ---- snipped --------
> quick  inspection shows that the exhaust has super heated. the
> engine temp
> guage is about a third of the way up but my nose tells me somethings
> really
> wrong.
> ---- end snipped ---------
>
> Check a few items:
>
> AirFlowMeter for the intermitent "pauses" in power at highway full
> throttle... could also be the idle switch, but I had the same thing
> happening with my 1987, and after replacing the AFM it was better.
> (I also
> had the dreaded intermittent vanagon syndrome, which has disappeared
> too).
>
> If your exhaust overheats, and the engine coolant is not boiling...
> then it
> may be a timing issue, leaky fuel injectors, or as was the case in
> my
> situation, a switched spark plug wire.  I switched the right side
> inadvertently, and although the van ran (not so smoothly) it built
> up enough
> heat fighting with itself, that the cat became red hot within 15
> minutes or
> so, and the insulation from the wires above the heat shield bagan
> to
> smoke... stank like hell.
>
> The idea is that fuel can, when things are out of adjustment, pass
> out of
> the cylinders, and into the exhaust ... if there is a ton of
> gasoline in
> your pipes, burning... then it gets rather hot in there.
>
> Hope this helps!
>
> RSF
>
> IMPORTANT!!! In order to reply to me, you must have the word "FISH"
> somewhere in the subject line of the email.  Otherwise it goes
> directly in
> the trash.
> <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{   <º)))>{
>
> Robert S. Fish
> Salzburg, Austria
> 1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon 2.1 GL Weekender
> 1987 Golf Cabriolet
> 1991 Golf
>
>
>
>
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