Date:         Thu, 2 Apr 2009 16:46:59 -0400
Reply-To:     Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Idle issues...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi all,

It's good to be back after a multi-year absence of mostly
good-running, good-funning time with my '87 Westfalia.  I've had a
number of idle issues with my van over the years, but replaced the
engine when it threw a rod with a Boston Bob big valve engine several
years ago.  I was very sorry to find out this week that Bob had passed
away.  His was a rational and informed voice and he was very
forthcoming in sharing information and helping me with various
problems over the years.

I've had a fairly recent and on-going problem which has taken a new
twist recently.  Here is the run-down:

The problem was initially that the van, an '87 Westy, would run fine
going to work in the AM.  After work, it would initially run fine, but
then would start losing power, running rough, and stalling at
stoplights.  I'd restart and it work fine for a minute.  I had some
time ago replaced the idle stabilizer control module, cleaned and
checked the idle stabilizer valve, replaced the Temp II sensor,
replaced the fuel filter, replaced the gas tank gaskets, replaced the
O2 sensor, and replaced a number of exhaust system parts (they were
leaking).  A few weeks ago, I replaced the AFM.  Now the van would
sometimes stall when it was cold, but seemed to be running better.
Then one day I was driving to my parents' house, 45 miles away, on a
very rainy day.  It lost power as if the engine had just turned off.
I'd turn it back on and it would run for about 10-15 seconds before
losing power again.  I happened to have a new fuel pressure regulator
and replaced that, to no avail.

I had it towed to a non-VW shop where they checked lots of stuff like
grounds, O2 sensor function, spark plugs, and distributor.  They fixed
a gas
leak on the passenger side.  They said they didn't know what else to
do and suggested I have it towed to a VW shop.  On a hunch, I asked
them to set the valve lash to zero, cold, per Boston Bob's
instructions for the big valve engine.  It was off.  It ran better,
and I was able to drive it home, but the idle is still rough as a cob.

I'm sort of at a loss as to what to do next, other than replace the
ECU, which I have tested, and which meets specs.

And festival season is coming up . . . sigh . . .

Thanks for any light you all can shed on this . . .
Marc Perdue

PS--Coincidentally, I have an '85 BMW 528e whose radiator broke, and
an '88 BMW 535 IS with electrical issues, and which decided not to
stay running at all anymore, both at the same time.  So, I am carless
at the moment . . .  Waaahhh.....