Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 16:32:55 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: I-4 coversion developing power troubles
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the only breakthrough I noticed in this scenario is the power coming back
after 'realigning' the distributor.
That points to suspecting the timing wasn't advanced enough..............and
getting it more advanced where it belongs brought the power back.
When power went away in 3 days..........
going back to the last thing that helped..........setting the timing, if
that's what it was .........should have , or might have produced the same
result again .......
and what's really useful about that is it gives you a theory to work on that
fits the symptom.
I believe in that engine the timing is fully controlled by the ECU
...........so there isn't much that the distributor actually does ......
not as far as determining timing curve - so I wouldn't expect a new one to
make a difference.......
that sounds like just throwing parts at a car, and crossing ones fingers in
hope.
It does seem that there is 'technician' weakness in getting to the bottom of
this.
Usually those engines hold a tune 'just forever' ...........
and it's not likely to be just spark plugs and wires ...........sure those
can be worn or faulty, or misfiring .....
but 'usually' ........in modern car Bosch ignition parts......the ignition
system is so strong that seldom are tune up parts really 'the' issue - a
factor, but not 'the' thing that's holding it back.
For sure always consider clogged cat and /or muffler. You always need to
consider that for any case of low power on any engine that uses a cat.
Water in the fuel........
you could have very poorly performing injectors.
I recently had to check the injector spray pattern on a waterboxer engine of
mine .........
I tested 10 identical used injectors - of those 10, only 4 had nice cone
spray pattern.
that same engine passed a smog check with flying colors about 2 weeks later.
Oh,.........that van's fuel filter hadn't been checked in a long
time........and it was about 80 % restricted.
And junk does get through fuel filters sometimes.......
and I often run a high quality fuel injector cleaner additive in the fuel,
once in a while, once a year say.
depending on year, there may be codes that can be retrieved that will point
you in the right way.
It could have ...........for example, a lame knock sensor, keeping the
timing from advancing properly .........if codes can be gotten out of the
ECU ......that can point you in the right direction.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
PS ..........'I promise,...................................... it's just a
blockage or leakage of fluids or electrons."
( and many people don't realize gases are fluids too, not just liquids. )
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 6:41 AM
Subject: Re: I-4 coversion developing power troubles
> With all you've included in your 'history' it could be about anything.
> You've probably realized by now that your 'mechanic' may be your biggest
> 'problem'. He seems to be confused about what it is you need...A good
> running Van...
> The way you describe your experiences with him, he seems to be making this
> all about himself rather than just finding and fixing your problems.
> The inline four VW motors are pretty basic, just about any competent VW
> mechanic should easily be able to make one Purr.. You may have to start
> over, go to another shop.
> Don Hanson
> On Wed, May 27, 2009 at 6:18 AM, Dave Woolridge
> <Dave.Woolridge@mi.mun.ca>wrote:
>
>> Hi All
>>
>>
>>
>> I am having trouble with my engine power in van. I will try to give as
>> much background as I can in hopes someone has some insight. Ultimately
>> I know my real problem is with my mechanic and that I will need to go to
>> another. But before I do I want to have some inkling of where my
>> mechanical troubles could lie.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have an automatic 86 Westy with a 2.0-L from a mid 90s' Jetta (GTI I
>> been told). For the first few years after the conversion, it ran like a
>> rocket. It could cruise up hills at 100 to 110 km/h on the flat the van
>> would max out just over 125 km/h. When cruising at 95 km/h I could
>> easily get 450 km on a tank of gas.
>>
>>
>>
>> About 3 years ago I noticed it was struggling to reach 100 km/h on a
>> hill and that was only if I could make a good run at it. On the flat
>> with the peddle all the way to the floor it would only cruise at 105
>> with any head wind or 115 with a tail wind. Now cruising at 90 I am
>> only getting 375 km on a tank. After several expensive attempts our
>> mechanic (not the one who did the conversion) got it running right.
>> These repairs included changing the plugs and wires, fixing an oil leak
>> at the head gasket, replacing the O2 sensor, the throttle position
>> sensor, the PCV valve and the mass air flow meter. I had managed to
>> drive about 3000 km, when I got a lot of water in the gas tank. We used
>> a VW shop in NJ to clean the water out of the engine. The van seemed to
>> run fine for a little over a 100 km. Then it became very problematic,
>> losing all power and sputtering on hills, to the verge of near stalling.
>> On that trip I unplugged the Mass Flow sensor and replaced the low
>> temperature gauge. I managed to make it home but the van had no power.
>>
>>
>>
>> Over the next driving season we did not use the van because our mechanic
>> took over three attempts to install a new gas tank. BTW: in the
>> previous year when I suggested a hole in the top of the tank he refused
>> to take it down and look, but offered to try several other fixes, none
>> of which worked. But I digress.
>>
>>
>>
>> This year I have taken it out and again no power. We replaced the Mass
>> Air flow meter $$$. I was told it was broken but this had no effect.
>> We then saw that the distributor was misaligned. It was realigned and
>> the van was back to acceptable. Three days later it was gutless on
>> hills. So I thought maybe I should have the distributor replaced $$$.
>> Still no change.
>>
>>
>>
>> So here is my current problem. I have no faith in this mechanic, he
>> seems to think the van is fine. I know another potential mechanic but
>> he works with a chain and I am afraid it will cost $$$, just to have him
>> "explore." I am so frustrated with this problem I want to get rid of
>> this van. However, I know it can perform much better and this needs to
>> be fixed before I can sell it. Before I bring it to this other guy I
>> am wondering what might be up, what can I suggest to him as a place to
>> start looking. Does anyone on the list have a 2.0-l conversion with a
>> mid 90s Jetta who may have had similar power troubles? Is it possible I
>> am still suffering the effect of having water in the tank?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks Dave
>>
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