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Date:         Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:18:46 -0800
Reply-To:     Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: horrible cold start idle, running rich
Comments: To: mordo <helmut.blong@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTi=x-JfH6HPyyjJsNroBegdxVft=CncQzceyCc6O@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I'm glad your van is running well again Mordo. I had the same thing happen to my '84 years ago so I recognized the symptoms right away. Its pretty much the only way to get the engine to run that rich.

Like they say, you have to get lucky once in a while! ;)

Seeya, Jake

On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 9:38 AM, mordo <helmut.blong@gmail.com> wrote:

> First prize in long-distance engine diagnostics to Jake de Villiers for > identifying the fule pressure regulator as the culprit in this misbehaving > engine. > > A new part solved the problem and as an added benefit, the engine idle is > now stable at 950 rpm. Previously, the idle speed wandered slightly, +/- 100 > rpm. > > Hooray! > > > > On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 1:48 PM, Jake de Villiers < > crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote: > >> It sounds as though your fuel pressure regulator has failed. >> >> When the internal diaphragm goes, the injectors see full pump pressure (~ >> 70 PSI) instead of the ~35 PSI they need. You can hook up a gauge at the >> test port provided or just go ahead and replace it - they aren't expensive. >> >> Good luck! >> >> >> On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 10:00 AM, mordo <helmut.blong@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Greetings, Volks. >>> >>> I find myself relying on La Vana Blanca as my daily driver for a bit >>> while >>> the company car is in shop awaiting repairs. The cooler weather seems to >>> have brought on a new fuel system problem in the van. There is so much >>> written about idle, fuel mix, temp II sensor, etc. that I find it >>> difficult >>> to parse pertinent info. Will appreciate any clarity that can be offered. >>> >>> The engine starts readily from stone cold (in the mid 30sF here at night) >>> >>> but the idle is very rough. Almost feels like only 3 cylinders are >>> firing. >>> After 3 minutes of trying to nurse this idle smooth, the van will drive >>> but >>> only with severely diminished power and lots of smoke from a way too rich >>> mixture. >>> >>> If during this initial cold start, I disconnect temp II sensor the idle >>> smooths at about 1000-1200 rpm. However, I cannot accelerate and drive >>> with >>> temp II disconnected - the engine bogs down and sputters badly. >>> >>> After about five minutes of nursing the throttle and chugging along, the >>> engine will suddenly smooth out and drive reasonably well though somewhat >>> under-powered. But it is certainly firing on all cylinders. Not nearly >>> the >>> pick-up and power as normal. It will idle at stop and generally behaves >>> alright. >>> >>> Fuel economy is miserable - about 75 miles to the half tank at the >>> moment. >>> Fuel smell is strong; the engine is surely running rich. >>> >>> Temp II sensor is about 6 months old. Plugs are about 3 months old. Fuel >>> pump and filter, likewise 3 months old. >>> >>> This seems like a faulty temp II sensor based on a lot of what I read but >>> >>> also suspect the TPS. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> -- >>> mordo >>> 1990 Carat >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Jake >> >> 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van' >> 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie' >> >> Crescent Beach, BC >> >> www.thebassspa.com >> www.crescentbeachguitar.com >> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27 >> >> > > > -- > mordo > 1990 Carat >

-- Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van' 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com www.crescentbeachguitar.com http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27


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