Date:         Mon, 22 Dec 2003 09:00:47 -0800
Reply-To:     "John D. Foster" <jidd@JIDDWARE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John D. Foster" <jidd@JIDDWARE.COM>
Subject:      Post-smog issues

So I took my '86 Westy which was running admirably well to the local smog
shop last week to get it tested.  The mechanic ran a pre-test, at which
time most things were okay, but the HCs were all over the place at idle.
He was of the opinion that he could get it to pass with some fiddling
around which he called a <cough> diagnostic.  Since I just moved into a
new (to me) house and have yet to get the garage equipped (and am still
sans-Bentley), I agreed.

Familiar story: the van passed but now runs like crap. It doesn't like to
idle, backfires when shifting, and can hardly move out of its own
tracks.  It is also louder than before.  It sounds all loaded up like a
carburated engine that is getting WAY too much gas.

I'll be calling the shop to ask exactly what he adjusted to achieve this
craptacular performance, but in the meantime anyone have any ideas?
Retarded timing?  (retarded mechanic?)  Loose plug wire?

On a side note, there is also an occasional sort of clunk noise just as I
release the ignition when starting the van.  Starter gear hanging maybe?

Cheers,
JD