Date:         Tue, 29 Jul 2003 10:53:34 -0400
Reply-To:     Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Was my Vanagon Trying To Tell Me Something?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Well, this is an interesting one. My '84 Westy (purchased back in March) has always idled like crap. At first it was the fluctuating idle, I finally got that solved, but it still just wouldn't idle smoothly, especially in gear (automatic). Sunday I decided to give one of those Interdynamics R-12 to R-134A kits a try since my air was not working either. That went extremely well, a/c now blows ice cold air. However, turning on the air really made the engine run like crap, usually stalling as soon as the air was turned on. Came out Monday morning and the Vanagon wouldn't start. Tried and tried, but no go. Sooo, I pop off the engine hatch and start going over everything, figuring I knocked something loose. Couldn't find anything until I look under the left side of the air box-what's this? A vacuum port with nothing connected!!!! A quick check in the Bentley shows this to be the vacuum port to the fuel pressure regulator. My fuel pressure regulator was tee'd of the line to the distributor. Hmmm. I hook up everything per Bentley, and now it runs perfectly, even with the air on!! I should also mention my brakes also used to feel a bit weak, no more!! This port was right next to the brake vacuum connection. When I first bought my Westy, I went through the engine compartment and replaced every inch of vacuum line, but one for one-I never thought to check that someone had screwed it up! I've been running all this time with a vacuum leak!.   Jeff