Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:38:05 -0400
Reply-To: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Fuel Mileage and Upholstry and o2 sensors
In-Reply-To: <786802.68331.qm@web50508.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Ron,
I've owned my 84 Westy since 1986, and went through just about everything
with my 1.9L, until the heads failed for the second time and I finally
swapped out the motor. (I was going to put in a TDI, but got too good of a
deal to pass up on the 2.1L with 42k orig miles.)
Anyway, the Air Flow Meter is a common problem, and an easy swap to do.
Here is a list of a few easy things I always suggest doing:
1. Check ALL your Vacuum lines (they get old an crack at the ends, cheap and
easy to replace).
2. Remove and clean ALL your electrical connections, wire brush if possible,
or spray with electric contact cleaner and place Di-Electric grease on the
connections. (don't forget the vehicle ground straps, but the starter,
alternator, battery, transmission etc.) (your problem may be a bad wire and
not a bad sensor).
3. Check your wires, some have been know to crack or have shorts which can
lead to problems. If they look old or the insulation is cracked, then
replace them.
4. Make sure that you don't have any cracks in your air-intake system, and
that the clamps are sealed properly. Check all your hose fittings and ends,
replace if cracked or loose. Check the air filter, consider a K&N filter.
5. Pull your spark plugs, and check and replace if necessary. Also, check
your plug wires, distributor cap, rotor etc.
6. There are a lot of sensors, and since these vans are pre OBD-II, it can
be real hard to determine which are going bad. The wires to these and the
ends also can be the problem.
7. Make sure you are using the proper coolant, and that it is fresh.
8. Use a good quality oil and filter, and change it frequently. Stay away
from FRAM oil filters... go with a good German filter.
These are just a few of the "easy" things... use the list well, and go to
the great VW events!!! You can get a wealth of advise from other owner's
experiences. I wish the internet and lists like this had been around when I
first purchased my Westy.
Jack R.
84 Westy Wolfie.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77623993@N00/1460280167/
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ron Toby
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 9:35 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Fuel Mileage and Upholstry and o2 sensors
Thanks Jack! Mine is a 1.9 manual. I'm getting around 15 on the hwy at
50-55. I suppose that like one other member was saying I need to get that
o2 sensor hooked back up. I gotta find out why the thing sputters and loses
power when it is connected. Otherwise it runs like a sewing machine when
dis-connected. Someone else had suggested that maybe it was the temp sensor.
Any Ideas?
"Jack R." <jack007@comcast.net> wrote: Ron,
I get about 16 in the city and 18 on the highway... the highway mileage can
get as high as 20 if you go 55mph. I have a 2.1L manual trans Westy.
Here is a survey that was done earlier on the list.
Jack R.
84 Westy Wolfie, with a 2.1L motor.
The results from Mr Squirrel's Patented Vanagon Fuel Economy Survey have
been entered into a Excel spreadsheet and I'm working on converting it into
a wikitable to post on the wiki.
In the meantime:
Summary Results
Number of respondents: 86
1.9L Vanagons with Auto Transmissions (n=7), min mpg=13, max=20, mean=17.4.
1.9L Vanagons with Manual Transmissions (n=11), min mpg=15.9, max=29,
mean=20
2.1L Vanagons with ATs (n=10), min mpg=13, max=20.5, mean=17.
2.1L Vanagons with Manual Transmissions (n=26): min mpg=15.5, max=21,
mean=19.5
Syncros (n=6): min mpg=15.5, max=21, mean=16.9
Others (various engine swaps, Diesels, etc.) (n=21).
Other data, such as tire sizes, models (Westy, GL, driving habits, etc.) are
in the spreadsheet for those who want to analyze more deeply. of course, the
data are every bit as accurate as the measuring equipment (odometers), and
the observational habits and record-keeping of the Vanagon owners. If you
want a copy of the .xls spreadsheet, please email me directly.
--
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
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ron Toby
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 9:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Fuel Mileage and Upholstry
Hello everyone, I am a new member here at the List. I am very happy to be a
part of the group and hope to be able to learn alot from everyone here.
I have two questions:
One- How many miles to the gallon have some people been able get on e
1985 VW Vanagon Westy? Mine is the Weekender package. My poor fuel economy
(about 14 - 15 mpg) I thought was perhaps due to my O2 sensor. I just
purchased the van last Nov. and experienced sluggishness during takeoff
after the van was warm. the o2 light was on so I figured that the sensor
was old and replaced it. While waiting to replace it I disconnected it and
no more problem with sputtering. After my new o2 arrived I replaced it and
still the same problem. it is now still disconnected. There is also a
pre-sensor or something on the intake. I have tried different combo's of
connection of pre-sensor connected and o2 disconnected and vice versa but
the o2 disconnected is the best. Help Please!!!! My mileage is low and fuel
is high
Two - I was also wondering does anyone know of a source that would
have the original courderoy upholstry. My seat bottoms are ragged but my
backs are fine. I would love to match that tan material.
Thanks everyone!!!!
Leron
1971 VW Vanagon Westy
1985 VW Vanagon Westy
---------------------------------
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From: "Michael Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Subject: Mileage Survey Results
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:02:11 -0400
The results from Mr Squirrel's Patented Vanagon Fuel Economy Survey have
been entered into a Excel spreadsheet and I'm working on converting it
into a wikitable to post on the wiki.
In the meantime:
Summary Results
Number of respondents: 86
1.9L Vanagons with Auto Transmissions (n=7), min mpg=13, max=20, mean=17.4.
1.9L Vanagons with Manual Transmissions (n=11), min mpg=15.9, max=29,
mean=20
2.1L Vanagons with ATs (n=10), min mpg=13, max=20.5, mean=17.
2.1L Vanagons with Manual Transmissions (n=26): min mpg=15.5, max=21,
mean=19.5
Syncros (n=6): min mpg=15.5, max=21, mean=16.9
Others (various engine swaps, Diesels, etc.) (n=21).
Other data, such as tire sizes, models (Westy, GL, driving habits, etc.)
are in the spreadsheet for those who want to analyze more deeply. of
course, the data are every bit as accurate as the measuring equipment
(odometers), and the observational habits and record-keeping of the
Vanagon owners. If you want a copy of the .xls spreadsheet, please email
me directly.
--
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
---------------------------------
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