Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 01:32:57 -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: replace idle stabilizer or not??
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
Hi AJ ..
makes me want to write a the 'complete idiot's guide for waterboxer
engines.'
I don't think a new idle stabilizer will make much difference for you.
if it won't idle at say 1,000 rpm you should work on that.
intake air leaks come to mind if it won't run at 1,000 rpm.
make sure the idle switch on the throttle body is making contact.
very important. If you're not sure what that means just ask.
they can run all right without an oxygen sensor, not as well, and not with
as bood fuel milage, but the default mode with no 02 input isn't that bad. .
I'd get that fixed though.
and exhaust shop can weld in an 02 bung easily , for not much $ either ..
though it does help to have the funds or credit, to be able to buy an oxygen
sensor and have a oxygen sensor bung welded in. As long as it's before the
cat is all that matters location wise. ..and it's in a a pipe that all four
cylinders flow through - that J pipe on the left side.
I just start with the basics,
check compression,
check for air intake leaks,
check fuel pressure ..though that usually is ok.
I don't even find it's the 'tune up parts' .....I find an occaisonal bad
plug wire..
sprark plugs last really well in them. I replace cheap distributor caps with
good Bosch ones ..those last nearly indefenitely, I don't even replace them
unless they're really tired.
there might be 25 things I check on them, or that have to be pretty right.
money helps ...
spare known-good test parts help...helps a lot to have some of those
sometimes.
little hard to tell you where to start.
perhaps others will have good suggestions.
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "A J" <flavanagon@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 10:44 PM
Subject: replace idle stabilizer or not??
>I have an 85 1.9 "Jerome". Currently it is running and driving because
> I have simply bypassed the idle stabilizer and the O2 hole is non
> existent on this system( it was welded over) Now this goes down the
> road very nice and the idle is ok but set very high, about 1700 give
> or take because it will simple stall at idle if it is much lower. . It
> seriously sucks gas. The gas mileage would probably make a hummer
> driver upset.
> If I replaced the idle stabilizer with a new one and did nothing else
> but lowered my idle and let the new switch control it would that help
> with the mileage? It runs very rich and I dont know if the idle
> control would help with that.
> Because I am on a very very tight budget simply replacing the exhaust
> and other parts is not the way to go in my case. I would like to know
> what would be the most efficient and cost effective step for me to
> take here? The Bus Depot has the idle stabilizer for $35 I believe but
> I am not sure if replacing that will have a big effect on the gas
> mileage or the rich idle.
> Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
>
> Scott in an earlier comment concerning a 1.9 running rich had a list
> of things that should be checked. Some of the stuff I could follow and
> understand but some was just out of my league. If the european
> models dont have an O2 sensor and run fine would not having one on
> mine make a difference in the performance or will the ecu simple
> "overlook" it and make adjustments to compensate?
> Other than the Bentely is there a step by step idiots guide for these
> 1.9s or vanagons in general? Something with photos so one knows where
> the part is and what it looks like. I do enjoy tinkering with the van
> but it is difficult when I have to hunt for illustrations just to be
> sure I am working with the right part and in the right location.
>
> A J
> 85 Gl 1.9 "Jerome"
> 87 Gl 2.1
