----- Original Message ----- From: "alexander may" <mr_may21@HOTMAIL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Sat 13 March 2004 16:22 Subject: my 83.5 Vanagon gets no power
> Hello to everyone who is on the list. Im a new member and just recently > bought an 83 watercooled Vanagon Westfalia. I've had it maybe less than a > month and took it recently on a trip to Samuel P. Taylor State Park for a > night of camping. It was the first time I had driven it for longer than 10 > miles and it did not perform that well. Everything was fine on the way > there, but on the way home through the hills of Point Reyes I began to have > serious trouble with power. We would start to climb a hill and immediatly > loose speed on the incline. I'd have it floored and would still continue to > loose power. We finally had to drop it into second just to make the crest > of the hill. On the straight aways, and in fourth gear, I would max out at > a top speed of 40 mph. Has this happened to anyone? Can someone tell me > what could be the problem? If it has happened to you what were the repairs > you needed done? I bought the Van to go cross country this summer and am > afraid that I might have to replace the engine... Please help with some > advice. > > bummin How many miles on the engine? Any unusual noises? Any excessive oil or coolant use? Are there any signs of a coolant leak - spots under the engine, wet spots in the head area, etc? I would take it to a shop and have a compression and leak down test performed. Those tests will let you know where the issue lies. It doesn't sound happy, though... Don in Phoenix, AZ |
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