Date:         Mon, 22 May 2006 08:08:33 -0600
Reply-To:     David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Subject:      Low Idle Stall when warm
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Greetings.

This is my first post to the listserv, so I hope I get this to the
right place.  I have been reading for a little while now, and have
attempted a few archive searches on this, but so far I haven't found
much that was helpful, so I am going to ask.  (not saying the helpful
info isn't there - just newbie me hasn't found it yet).

I have a 1980 Vanagon Westfalia with the 2.0 L air cooled engine, and
I love my car, but recently it has taken on a problem.  At low idle,
the engine will run ok for a few second, then idle down to the point
the battery LED and EGR LED light up, then it will sometimes idle up
again enough to shut them off, and then idle down again, usually to a
stall.  Also it seems like I have lost a certain amount of power at
lower RPMs now, although at higher RPMs the engine runs smooth and
has pretty good power (for a 2.0 liter).  My recently arrived Vanagon
owner's manual suggests the fuel filter or dirty gas is to blame.
So, my question essentially is, how likely is that?  It seemed to
have happened pretty suddenly, so I am not sure if the fuel filter
could clog up that quickly, or if there is something else.  I have
gone through 2 tanks of gas since this started, so I am pretty sure
that is not it.  If is it relevant, the problem seems to have
occurred shortly after I ran some fuel injector cleaner through a
tank of gas.  Also, this van does not have AC.

Thanks for any help, and for such a great Vanagon community and
resource.

David.