Date:         Sun, 27 Mar 2011 14:34:03 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: engine dying while driving
Comments: To: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTikO3FGf9OinXL1+Hy4-D6xMTgSkgOWNYxY8+O2y@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU> wrote:
Quite a bit about:

> My engine has an intermittent problem.

Joy, it sounds like what is sometimes called "Vanagon Syndrome" to me.  Vanagon Syndrome is a term applied to a running problem like yours if it is due to a bad air flow meter.  Some folks try to repair the AFM, or work around the track that may be worn into the carbon film in it by shifting the gate a bit.  That is tricky, and doesn't always work.  Because a new AFM is fairly expensive, if you have an opportunity to try one that is known to be good before buying a new one, that is a good idea.  However, because the problem is intermittent, it may take a long time to know.

My camper ran like you describe, and would really stumble sometimes at highway speed, then pick back up as if nothing had been wrong.  A new AFM two years ago seems to have solved the problem, as I've had no running problems since.  Of course, you want to make sure that the ignition and fuel delivery are in tip-top shape.

mcneely