Date:         Sun, 26 Oct 2003 17:40:33 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Himli <lhimli@MSN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Himli <lhimli@MSN.COM>
Subject:      Fw: I just want one nice ride
Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

 Gerry - I didn't attach anything.  Please try again.

Larry

 

-------Original Message-------

 

From: Larry Himli

Date: Sunday, October 26, 2003 5:32:39 PM

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Subject: I just want one nice ride

 

I purchased my Westy and thought I had a steal.  It is like new on the
inside - engine was replaced about 5K ago along with alot of other stuff. 
So, I paid $3,300.00.  I had a first class paint job - kaching...$3,900.00
more.  When I picked it up from the painter he said "it sure is hard to
start isn't it?"  

I have never driven it anywhere but prior to the trip to the painter it
started and ran fine.  Now I have classic vanagon syndrome problems.   

SO, I follow directions from the group and replace fuel pump, fuel filter,
spark plug wires, air filter, oil change and even ordered and installed the
capacitor across terminals 2 & 4 of the AFM.  My daughters laugh at me all
the time - they ask "how's the Vanagon running Dad?"  "Why didn't you just
buy a new one?"  Ha Ha

Today I got it started and drove for 45 miles with no problem.....tried it
again two hours later.....bucked and killed about every two blocks. 

I suppose I'll order a new AFM ($200.00) next.  Does anybody have a Westy
that hasn't had this problem?  Also, if anybody would like one of the 22
microfarad tantalum capacitors - give me your address and I'll send you one.
 I had to order it with a $25.00 minimum purchase so I have a bunch of them.
 

Can anybody recommend knowledgeable mechanic in the Twin Cities that might
be able to make it go?  

 

Larry

87 Westy