Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 23:01:41 -0700
Reply-To: Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject: Re: whistling engines again (was RE: GET BACK ON TOPIC!)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
This is pure speculation, of course (not being able to examine it myself),
but if the previous theory of a clogged fuel filter causing the
intermittent-power issue was valid it may follow that it's getting worse and
causing the fuel pump to labor- on the other hand, it may be that the fuel
pump itself is declining, causing the power issue (not able to produce
enough pressure at high speeds) and has just decided to make this noise to
announce its impending destruction to you. In either case, I would still go
with the cheaper/easier repair (the fuel filter) and see what that did for
me first; if it doesn't solve anything, it didn't cost you much and it can't
hurt to have a clean fuel filter anyway. If you still have the same problem,
look to the pump.
I would think that the "wiring harness adaptor to the air flow box" that the
old gent is talking about is good 'ol Vanagon Syndrome. See:
http://www.benplace.com/vanagon_intermittent_syndrome.htm
As far as the Toyota goes, hell, there ain't no style or grace in that...!
: )
For that matter, if you go to put all those miles on the car, you just might
find out about it breaking down, etc. Driving a Vgon is sorta like playing
your favorite sport; sometimes you get hurt and ya gotta play hurt, but it
don't mean you give it up. : )
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other bears to fry.
Good luck,
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joy Hecht" <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 8:13 PM
Subject: whistling engines again (was RE: GET BACK ON TOPIC!)
Well, I'd say how to make good coffee on the road is at least as on topic as
how to get internet access on the road. Neither is particular to vanagons,
of course.
Refinement on my whistling engine, after walking around the van and
slithering under it a ways: I seem to have a whistling fuel pump. I'm
heading to the repair place in the morning - was just going to get an oil
change, but now I'll ask about this too. Anything in particular I should
tell him/be wary of/etc?
I talked to this same repair person - an elderly man in Annandale, VA,
outside of Washington DC, Paul Hoffman, of Paul's Auto Service, former VW
repair person now on his own - about my now-intermittent
low-power-at-high-speed problems. Naturally it started up again, precluding
a trip to visit my sister, and then stopped again by the time I got it to
Mr. Hoffman. He said there wasn't much point looking at it when it wasn't
acting up.
But - is a whistling fuel pump likely to also be the cause of my
intermittent power loss? Wouldn't it be nice if I only had one thing wrong,
not two...
Mr. Hoffman said last time he saw an intermittent power problem at high
speeds he put in what he called a "wiring harness adaptor to the air flow
box" and that solved the problem. Has anyone seen this solution? Of course
I don't know if that's where my problem lies - it's certainly at the other
end of the vehicle from the whistling pump.
Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions so far, and for the past
six months, by the way! I'm sure even six months into this I still sound
like a mechanical moron - but hey, I am. No deception here! I'll admit
that this evening I was wondering if I should continue my travels in my
little 2002 Toyota Prius that has nothing wrong with it and never breaks
down, and give up on Matilda. I was even trying to figure out how I could
get maximum stuff into a rather small car. But I'm not going to give up on
vanagons yet. At least I don't think I am.
Joy
****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
****************************************************************
:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of Cory Sammons
:::Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 2:39 PM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Re: GET BACK ON TOPIC!
:::
:::On 8/18/04 1:19 PM, "Gnarlodious" <gnarlodious@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:
:::
:::> Ye Gods! A whole window full of off topic posts! Bears and coffee, give
:::me a
:::> break!
:::>
:::> -- Gnarlie
:::>
:::Since many of us use our vans for camping I would have to say that the
:::bear
:::issue, which pertains to both vehicle and personal safety, is a very
:::appropriate topic.
:::Im guessing someone will say the same about coffee flavors, but I think
:::thatıs stretching a little too far!
:::Cory Sammons
:::84 Westy
:::99 New Beetle
:::Gardiner, NY