Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 11:15:58 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: rebuilt 2.1 runs like crap - can't figure it out
In-Reply-To: <BAY10-F21CTp2hFOWd800000bf8@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
Mark,
When my engine was rebuilt, I replaced the Temp II sensor just as a
matter of course to head off any potential problems. Seems to have
worked, as I have never hand any problems related to Temp II sensor.
That being said, there have been many posts over the years about engine
problems that are caused by the Temp II sensor begoning faulty, having a
loose connection, etc. They are cheap. I would just replace the thing.
Also, check your grounds thoroughly. Be sure you have good metal to
metal contact at each end of each ground, where ever they are. Can't
emphasize that enough. Be sure you have no corrosion that has gone up
inside of your battery cables. This happens, and as the corrosion
increases, the the metallic oxides that accumulate in crease the
resistance more and more.
Crappy plug wires will cause mysterious rough running. The will begin to
break down over time, and there will be a period of intermittent, short
term failure of components that will produce those devils that are so
hard to find, the infamous "Intermittent Short to Ground"!! It comes and
goes and you can chase it forever and sometimes not find the specific
problem, but the replacement of a component simply eliminates the problem.
Try running with the Idle Stabilizer Valve disconnected and see what you
get. When mine is connected the engine runs like crap!! I have an 88 GL
with the 2.1 L WBX. I know it's not the valve on mine, but the Idle
Stabilizer Control, which is located in inside the body panel on the
right rear. Remove the right rear tail light to get to it. Often when
the ISC box cover is removed, you can see a burned place and a burned
component. That is a sure indicator that the ISV has gone tits up. On a
rough running engine, the Idle Stabilizer System is always suspect.
Good luck with your efforts.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Mark Seifert wrote:
> I just rebuilt my 2.1 waterboxer and put it back in my van. I got it
> running, but it's not doing too well. First problem I had was the firing
> order. Got that figured out. I think I put the distributor drive shaft in
> wrong, but from what I understand, that doesn't matter because you can
> turn
> the distributor any way to compensate. Valves were clattering a lot
> considering all the lifters are new. so I re-adjusted the valves. Two of
> them were loose. Took care of that quickly. Did a compression test.
> Compression was good. Pulled injector wires one at a time, but it doesn't
> seem like any one cylinder is missing constantly. Checked the timing,
> and it
> looks good, although the mark bounces around a lot. The problem is
> that it
> has a rough idle and it hesitates on acceleration and at constant speeds.
> Gas pedal to the floor at 65 mph. The cap and rotor don't look so
> great, so
> I'll be replacing those tomorrow, but I don't expect it to make a
> whole lot
> better, because there seems to be a serious lack of power. Hopefully
> someone
> has a suggestion. My van has been sitting for 6 weeks, and I can't
> wait to
> take it out on the road again.
>
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