For over a year, my Vanagon engine has been surging badly, especially when the accelerator is fully depressed, as it frequently is at highway speeds. The rate of surging at highway speeds is approximately 2 cycles per second. The surging can be minimized by backing off at bit on the accelerator, but since the engine is underpowered for the vehicle, it is not acceptable to use anything less than maximum acceleration. At street speeds it is much less noticeable but even then there is often unsteady acceleration. It makes driving unpleasant and rough. Sometimes the problem will suddenly cease and there will be smooth running for anywhere from a few seconds to several miles, but otherwise, it is there most of the time. It is a 1982, originally diesel, but converted before I owned it to what I'm told is an 86-92 Rabbit/Fox engine. The computer has Bosch number 0 280 800 104 (105) on it. It is fuel injection. I have been told by two different seemingly competent shops that the problem lies in a part numbered Bosch 0 438 101 005, which I believe is called a fuel flow meter or a fuel injection pump. Not sure of that...I'm not a mechanic, as must be obvious. The first shop to work on it had it back at least 5 times before they gave up. They tried cleaning and adjusting that component to no avail. They couldn't get a new part and tried replacing with a used part and said the other used parts performed worse than my own. They also replaced the O2 sensor. The 2nd shop said replacement of that part would cost me $2000 because the part is not made any more. They offered to do an engine conversion to a Suburu for $12,000! Can you tell from the symptoms if this part is really the culprit? Is there any way to replace this part at a reasonable price? Thanks very much in advance. Paul Chubbuck in Fort Collins |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.