Date:         Sun, 15 Dec 2002 22:19:31 -0500
Reply-To:     Marc Perdue <marcperdue@ADELPHIA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marc Perdue <marcperdue@ADELPHIA.NET>
Subject:      Update: More idle issues for idle hands and minds
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

What a great resource this list is!  Thanks for all the suggestions!  Here's
what I've done and the results:

1) Checked the idle stabilizer valve.  It was vibrating normally.  Took it
out and cleaned it thoroughly with carb cleaner.  It was pretty dirty.

2) Pulled the idle control unit, disconnected and reconnected it several
times to clean the contacts and re-installed it.

Results: Well, the temp. outside was not as cold as it usually is in the
mornings when I start the van, 40 degrees F, so the results may not be
totally conclusive.  The van started slowly, per usual, but idled at 1000
RPMs and didn't skip as much.  After a couple of minutes, the idle was
smoother, but the same speed.  I didn't take it for a drive, but pressed the
gas a few times to see if the idle would change.  It did, increased to 1200.

So, before I replace the coolant temp sensor, the oxygen sensor, and/or the
idle control unit, I thought I would pass on a couple of things I observed
while doing this work.  First, the vacuum hose going to the fuel pressure
regulator looked like it was in pretty rough shape, though it was hard to
tell the actual condition of the hose because it's wrapped in some kind of
cloth cover.  This confirms my suspicion that the dealer didn't do a good
job of checking the hoses.  Could a leaky vacuum hose to the regulator cause
these symptoms?

The oxygen sensor looks to be a fairly well sealed unit.  I was kind of
surprised at this because people had suggested that it had gotten wet and
had caused my problem a few weeks ago wherein my van stalled several times
when it was really rainy.  How would one go about sealing the point where
the wires enter the O2 sensor?  Silicone caulk?

About six months ago, I had to replace a section of the exhaust pipe, the J
pipe just before the cat. converter.  The joint between the pipe and the Y
in front of it seemed to be leaking exhaust.  Could this interfere with the
readings of the O2 sensor and cause the symptoms I'm seeing?

Regarding hose quality, there's a kind of fat hose below the one that
connects to the idle stabilizer valve that connects to, what, the throttle
body, the AFM?  It's all squished and cracked.  What is this?  I know, I
could be more specific, but I'm just getting into learning my way around the
engine compartment of this vehicle, thanks to my crappy dealer service.

Regarding the grounds my dealer "checked" . . . they don't look like they've
been touched.  I'll have to come back to that one . . .

Thanks all,
Marc Perdue

Marc Perdue wrote:

> '87 Westy, 2.1l, automatic
>
> So, thermostat's replaced and grounds and hoses supposedly checked, but
> here're the symptoms I'm seeing:
>
> Cold start:  Van acts like the battery's weak when I start it (it's
> not).  Turns over quick at first, then slower, then finally jumps to
> life.  Idles up and down at a low idle, sounds like plugs are misfiring,
> until the engine warms up a little, about a minute or so.  Most cars
> I've ever owned/worked on idle high at first to warm the engine up, or
> something.  What is the cold idle speed supposed to be on a Vanagon?
>
> Once warm:  Idles around 900-1000 RPMs, idle smooths out, puts out a lot
> more stuff out the exhaust, particularly when it's cold out.  Gas
> mileage has dropped from 16-17 down to 14 MPG.
>
> Drive for 20-30 minutes into town to work:  When I'm ready to park it, I
> put it in Park (yes, automatic), and the idle jumps up to 1400-1800 RPMs
> for a few seconds then settles down to 1000-1200 RPMs.
>
> I was trying to keep track of all the suggestions that have been made
> here recently since the cold weather hit and everybody seemed to all of
> a sudden have idle issues.  Unfortunately, there were so many different
> suggestions of things to check for, I figured I better ask again.
>
> Thanks for any and all help,
> Marc Perdue