Date:         Thu, 3 Feb 2005 07:18:56 -0500
Reply-To:     Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Cold start 3 cylinder stalling and bucking idle insanity!!!
Comments: To: "Adam H. Behle" <tikiman2@COX.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005020223512857@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I would check Temp I in the air flow meter.  You test it the same way
you test temp II sensor.  Use the Bentley and see what you find.  You
need to have both temp II (coolant temp) and temp I (intake air temp)
working correctly for the cold start to work properly.

The only way to fix Temp I is to replace the whole Air Flow Meter.

Hope this helps.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Adam H. Behle wrote:

>It seems like more and more Vanagonites are having this problem more than ever these days.
>My 87 Westy with 156K miles has the evil cold start bucking and stalling problem as well.  It
>feels like it is running on 3 cylinders and stalls repeatedly.  Once it is warmed up by careful
>manipulation of the gas pedal for about 5-10 minutes, all is well-great power, throttle
>response, 17 mpg.  Exhaust smells a bit rich, but it has for quite some time.
>
>This is what I have done so far:
>Replaced air filter, fuel filter, oil, oil filter, and spark plugs. Found and replaced 2 broken
>vacuum lines. Checked throttle switch per Bentley and found it to be ok. I have a nicely
>humming idle control valve which was cleaned anyway.  Swapped out the idle stabilizer
>control unit with a friends' and got no change in behavior.  Replaced temp 2 sensor last year,
>but still need to re-check it.  All this has resulted in no change of cold idle stalling/bucking
>behavior.
>
>It seems like the fuel pressure regulator could be suspect, or possibly the "new" temp 2
>sensor.  The oxygen sensor doesn't participate in the cold idle loop anyway, so that is
>probably not to blame-right? It was replaced about 40K miles ago. My air flow sensor had the
>"capacitor fix" when I was hunting down Vanagon syndrome a few years back. Turned out to
>be the ECU, which was replaced.
>
>So...I am at a loss for what to do next before giving up and bucking over to my mechanic.
>Any last ideas???  I'm not ready to give up just yet!
>
>Thanks, Adam
>
>
>