Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:09:02 -0100
Reply-To: Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: My EB Breakdown Story
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I hope everyone has made it home safely from EB 2007, tho I suspect the
Canadians are still on their way home. I don't envy anyone out there today
on the highway in a Bay or Splittie! I left EB EARLY Sunday morning, around
6:00 AM, just had a feeling that I should head out early, and I'm glad I
did. On the way down Thursday, my '84 didn't seem to have the power I'm
used to, but I decided that it was due to the fact that it was now loaded
with camping gear, two coolers, etc. and the power loss was barely
noticeable, so I didn't give it much thought. Left Hagan Stone park Sunday
around 6:00 AM, and around Lynchburg, VA I needed gas. Strange thing about
Lynchburg, nearly every gas station was all lit up, inside and out, but
they weren't OPEN. Finally found one that not only had the lights on, but
was actually open as well, and filled up. Got back out on rte. 29 heading
north, and within 20 miles noticed that I couldn't make it up the slightest
grade without downshifting to 3rd. I could still run 65 on flat land with
ease, but as soon as I hit any grade, speed dropped below 50. By
Charlottesville I could barely maintain 35 uphill, and I felt like I was
driving my '75 Westy. I started thinking that maybe I got bad gas in
Lynchburg. Stopped for breakfast in Charlottesville at an IHOP. No wonder
America is fat! I wanted the cinnamon pancakes they've been advertising on
TV, but found they don't offer just the cinnamon pancakes, they are IN
ADDITION to a regular full size breakfast! But the nice waitress said I
could just get the pancakes if that's all I wanted-but when she handed me
the check, the price was for the full meal <sigh> scratch IHOP off my list!
Oh, and the pancakes, which they show on TV and on the menu covered in the
cinnamon syrup? It's actually just a small amount drizzled across the top.
Anyway, back to my story. Same thing after breakfast, although now the van
seemed to be struggling just getting to speed on flat land, but I could
still maintain the speed limit (BTW, through all this the engine temp gauge
has not moved, and checking the oil at the IHOP showed the engine had not
used a drop). Turned off of Rte 29 onto Rte. 15 north at Haymarket, VA. and
within 2 miles could not go over 10 MPH with the pedal to the floor. I
started thinking two things-I either got some really bad gas in Lynchburg,
or I ran the tank so low that I sucked in a bunch of crud from the tank and
clogged the fuel filter. Barely coast into a Sheetz parking lot and jump
out to find smoke pouring from the back of the van! The exhaust is blazing
hot, the heat shield above the muffler has gone from silver to dull bronze
color, and the smoke is from the rubber sheath around the wiring that runs
over the heat shield. Plugged catalytic converter!! At this point I'm only
about 20 miles from home. I can get a tow, but I really didn't want to wait
around in a Sheetz parking lot for who knows how long for a tow truck.
Sooo, I unbolted the cat (after it cooled, of course), then put washers in
between the cat and the muffler and bolted it back together, creating a
massive exhaust leak. I made it home this way, about 80% of the power
restored and running loud as hell, but at least I made it! Another Everybus
adventure!
Jeff Stewart
fonman4277@earthlink.net
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vwcampersmidatlantic/
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