Date:         Thu, 12 Aug 2004 12:52:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris <chris@MCCLURKEN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris <chris@MCCLURKEN.COM>
Subject:      Which syndrome is this?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Howdy folks,

I'm a new owner of a 1985 GL with a newly rebuilt/replaced engine and
other goodies. I'm happy to say it passed emissions with flying colors.
But it's got a problem....

When you first start it up it runs great and has decent power if you
decide to go before a warm up. It's running very rich at startup with
lots of unburnt fuel in the exhaust. When the van is completely warmed
up it also runs great (and doesn't run rich that I can tell and that
emissions report proves it) .
So in between cold and hot it runs like crap. If you try to floor it
the engine will stall. If you increase power gently and gradually then
you can get going after a few seconds. Also if you don't get the RPMs
up above 3000 or so it may stall again. Especially on hills....and
pulling out into traffic takes guts.
I have experienced some similar problems after running on the highway
and then stopping at a light or whatever. But that has been too
infrequent to pin down.
Also it seems prudent to switch off the a/c when accelerating after a
complete stop.

An easier issue to solve....where's the coolant temp sender? My gauge
isn't working and I don't even know where to look. A Bentley manual is
on my shopping list!

Thanks,
Chris