Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 23:05:44 -0700
Reply-To: James Adams <james_adams@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: James Adams <james_adams@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Seeking Advice: TIICO Fuel Rail
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hello fellow Vanagon/TIICO owners,
I have a TIICO engine in my '90 Vanagon, which is
running like a rocket (after several months of
frustrating/expensive tuning after having the engine
installed). My van now flies down the highway and
runs up the hills!
I have been living in NYC for the last two years and
during that time I have had the vehicle stored in my
grandmother's garage in SC, and my father goes to
drive it once every week or so to keep it alive. I
will soon drive the van to Portland, Oregon where I
plan/hope to live for the foreseeable future.
I have not done the (A2) fuel rail conversion yet, but
my understanding is that this is the right thing to
do. My thinking is to order the kit from Ken at
VanAgain.com and have it installed before I motor
across the country. What I'm wondering is whether or
not this is a good idea, especially since the engine
is running so well at this point (I had serious,
debilitating timing/stuttering problems before, but
fortunately I found a mechanic who was able to make
things right, after months of frustration and $100s in
mechanic's bills, not to mention the $1000s I spent on
the install which wasn't perfect). My hesitation is
based on the adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
My questions are as follows:
1) Should I do the fuel rail conversion if I'm already
(and finally!) running so well without it? Comments
good and bad from others who have done this upgrade
will be very appreciated.
2) Is there a site or info page (other than Pollard's
great posting to this list) which might help/enlighten
the mechanic who will do this for me?
3) Can anyone suggest a mechanic between SC and OR who
has experience with this, who could reliably do this
fuel rail replacement, and who would let me "sit in"
on the job? My time frame is early June. I have no
special tools of my own and no experience working on
engines, but I'm mechanically inclined (I think) and
I'd like to have at least a small bit of experience
working on my van in case I ever have to delve into it
by necessity (perhaps stuck on the side of the road in
Arizona, God forbid). I can offer computer
programming/configuration help in exchange, as well as
normal/customary labor compensation, plus pleasant
company. [I've only changed the battery and a few
flat tires myself, but I've rebuilt many bicycles (not
the same beast, I know) so I'm no total stranger to
wrenches and hand tools.]
Thanks in advance for your suggestions, insight, and
comments.
--James
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