Date:         Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:38:24 -0400
Reply-To:     Aileen Boyd <aileen.boyd@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aileen Boyd <aileen.boyd@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Running Rich
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi everyone. Got some great help from some of you before, now am in a query
again.
I brought my 88' Westfalia into my trusted mechanic with a starting problem.
He was able to fix that and a few other things fairly easily: i.e. new
groundstrap, wiring, relay and helped my transmission out :) He then told me
that what I thought was an ok running Westy (I've only had it since
August-my first one) is running rich and overall poorly. He said that with
the warmer weather it has probably become worse and that is why I may not
have noticed strongly. I know that it has very low horsepower and idles a
bit strange sometime and smells like it is running rich occassionally. He
said he is a bit confused as to why, as it could be a number of things, and
can run fine for a few minutes blow some black smoke and then go down the
tubes again. He is suggesting but hoping it is not the ECU.  If it is do I
have to replace it or can it be refurbished? Also, I have read a bit about
the wiring harness that has helped "Vanagon Intermitten Syndrome". Anyone
else know? Background: I replaced the o2 sensor, cat converter, and muff in
Nov. Also new battery, fuel and air filter. 88' Westfalia, Automatic,
138,000 miles. Previous owners apparently didn't know how to do even basic
matienance on any car let alone this one. Thankfully the first owners did
and salvaged many good things.
Thanks in advance!

Aileen

--
If not Peace, then Justice.....