Date:         Mon, 29 Jul 2002 08:40:42 -0500
Reply-To:     Jeremy Speer <jspeer@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeremy Speer <jspeer@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      The Mystery Machine saga continues
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Folks,

Well, the Mystery Machine is again back on the road. The leaking oil at
the clutch seems to have been fully eliminated... i've got four new
control arm bushings too.

Now that the major (known) mechanical problems have been fixed i'm
starting to wonder about performance.

When i first brought the vehicle up from St. Louis this past winter, i
was amazed at the pep it had. Also even in the coldest Minnesota
mornings it would start right up. Turn the key, the starter would spin
the engine for just a split second and she would fire right up and idle
strong.

Recently that has changed. There is no single moment or event i can
point to and say, "that is where it started," but over the past month
starting and idling has become more of an issue, and performance once
warm is declining. The engine's sound has changed too. At idle it once
sounded like a well-muffled Harley Davidson... you know, pop pop pop
pop. Its become quieter now...more sedate.

I tried swapping the idle control relay AND the idle stabilizer valve...
it made NO difference at all in the starting/idling behavior.

I replaced the very old 02 sensor and sealed a leak in the exhaust
system... no difference at all in warm performance... in fact no
difference at all at any temp. I've also replaced the Temp II sensor.

I now run with the 02 sensor disconnected.

I've got new (<2,000 miles) sparks, rotor, cap, coil, ignition wires.
I've had the engine ground wire replaced.... other ground connections
are clean and bright.

What about ignition timing? Could slightly-off timing explain all these
symptoms?

Other suggestions?

Many thanks,

-jspeer
'89 Westy, "Mystery Machine"