Date:         Mon, 4 Sep 2006 14:43:00 -0500
Reply-To:     Neal Barrentine <vwneal@BLUEMARBLE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Neal Barrentine <vwneal@BLUEMARBLE.NET>
Subject:      '86GL - fuel or ignition?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

My '86 still wont run off idle. It will idle just fine, but if I try to
accelerate or place it under a load, the engine misses, sputters,
coughs and dies. Sometimes it runs fine. It seems like after it has run
for a while, it gets worse. The responses to my last post suggested
that the Hall sender was dying, but wouldn't that make it run poorly
all the time? The spark plugs are sooty, as is the tail pipe,
indicating a rich mixture. Could this be caused by a faulty fuel
pressure regulator? I checked the pressure at the tee, and it seemed
fine, and did not leak down. I have checked for vacuum leaks, and fixed
a crack in the boot between the AFM and the throttle. (Amazing Goop
worked well for repairing the rubber). If I feather the throttle, I can
make it run fine, but that fails to work when it's under a load, like
while driving it. Plug wires, cap, rotor, plugs all look okay. I am at
a loss, and am becoming discouraged. Also suggested from the list was
to check all the grounds, which I have done, cleaning and re-tightening
the five or so on the left side under the coil, and visibly checked the
strap between the engine and trans and both battery cables. Any other
suggestions? Neal
Neal Barrentine
Bloomington, Indiana
1986 GL
1960 Baja Bug