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Date:         Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:05:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1.9L Gutless when first started
Comments: To: Geza Polony <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <471b921e.1e36640a.30dd.ffffcd74SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Geza,

I like the way you think.

If I start it and let it idle the problem does seem to go away but not always, no clear pattern has developed. Just to monkey-wrench the symptoms, the gutlessness does not occur all the time. Maybe 1/4th of the time the engine is a happy camper as soon as I start it. My procedure right now is to start it, let it idle for 30 seconds, and try the throttle. If it hesitates and coughs, then nurse it until the rpms jump up. If it doesn't hesitate, I give it a try in gear. Sometimes it responds to the throttle strongly, other times it wimps out, coughs diffidently, and does a sit-down strike. More throttle nursing until it decides to play nice.

Whilst lying in bedst last nighth at 2 am (don't ask) I was mullingst this problem.

Fuel pressure, I thought, needs to be tested. Have no idea how, but Bentleys probably provides a clue. As for the cat or exhaust thing, I expect the test is to remove the cat and shake it like a maracas.

-- Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano KG6RCR

On 10/21/2007 10:50 AM Geza Polony wrote:

> Mike, > > I don't think this has anything to do with the electronic part of your FI > system. First, if your ken-o-meter is showing good results, that means the > electronics are working normally. Second, your symptoms are too extreme to > be caused by a bad sensor or whatever, and the fact that it corrects itself > soon after starting means the FI system isn't faulty. > > This is not really related to temperature, either. > > I'm wondering if it could be something in your fuel delivery system, a > physical clogging of the fuel lines or some other problem that would limit > fuel pressure/delivery rate during the first 30 seconds or so of operation. > > What happens if you start it, then just let it idle for a few minutes? Does > the problem go away? > > Another possibility would be something loose in your cat or muffler creating > too much back pressure until, after a time, it moves out of the way because > of vibration or pressure and allows the exhaust to flow correctly. > > In any event, I think this is something physical (not electronic) that > corrects itself due to engine vibration or exhaust pressure or fuel pressure > after the first few minutes of operation. It's not going to be a vacuum > leak, a sensor problem (except possibly a bad connection), or the like, as > these would not disappear so quickly and with such predictability. > > Geza >


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