Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:12:33 -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: Van Died @ 70 MPH. Why? (Jetta conversion)
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was is a 'hard' shut off...
( like key just turned off at speed )
or was it 'soft' ....
and if tach-equipped what did it do ?
I have an idea right now you did not cycle the key to off and back on while
it was still in gear with engine still turning.
( amazing how well that makes my was-faltering 87 Wolfsburg 'turn back on'
...or 'get power back' ..)
Whether or not it does that means something ,............re-go with key
cycling, in gear.
< the just turned on, or 'just got going mode' is stronger for a short
period in an EFI fuel system like this. >
whether the shut off was abrupt or 'soft' ..
and the tach thing of course ..
all very useful clues.
the welding, I doubt it, though it's possible.
the fuel hose heat, not with that unless it was a soft loss of power ,
rather than hard cut off.
so please address these..
and it will help.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "neil n" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 12:18 AM
Subject: Van Died @ 70 MPH. Why? (Jetta conversion)
Hey all.
Had a great trip in and around OR. Attended the WetWestie Tinfoil hat
event (meteor shower) at Sheep Bridge, took off to the High and Dry
Blue Grass Festival, then enjoyed some great nights at other US forest
service CG's. Other than my cat, which snapped off at beginning of
trip..... ;)
Driving home, pedal to metal for short burst (less than 1 mile), going
70 MPH up hill, van died. One of my worst fears is having my van die
on the freeway, but thankfully had room to pull over. It had been
running fine otherwise.
My current theories as to why it died involve possible excessive heat
in engine bay, due to ambient heat, my tubbed engine lid, fuel lines
close to tubbed portion, etc. That said, the engine coolant temps were
always "normal"; temp gauge needle almost always at 12:00, van did
not overheat at any time.
Theory 1 : (far fetched)
Non stock positioned fuel hoses got "heated" up from engine block
heat, hotter than normal fuel returned to tank, hotter than normal
fuel not cooling fuel pump sufficiently.
Theory 2:
ECU relay got heated up and opened. ECU, fuel pump, and HO2 relay all
in VW black box, but box sits close to coolant "send" hose to rad.
Theory 3:
on this trip, the cat was welded twice. ECU was NOT disconnected each
time. Had read that it's good practice to disconnect ECU if welding
the van or parts on van. Could welding have damaged the ECU ?
Theory 4:
Engine bay temps too high causing hotter than normal air to be drawn
in the intake. (I will be installing my intake snorkel soon!)
After it stalled, I checked connections at relays, all good. Tried to
hear if fuel pump primed when key turned, but free way too noisy.
After van sat with engine cover off, it started. Pulled off to quieter
parking lot. Could hear pump prime, but priming didn't sound as it
usually did. Regardless, it fired up almost every time. When it didn't
fire, the check engine light was not on when key turned to "ign. on".
This is why I suspect ECU relay.
After the event and subsequent testing, it ran fine. I kept speeds at
~ 55 mph. When ambient temps cooler, ran it at ~ 60 MPH. It ran just
fine, with no starting issues for remaining 200 miles or so.
< scratches head >
All I can figure is that the hotter ambient temps and higher speeds
affected something. Maybe the fuel pump is on it's last legs? I didn't
bypass the FP relay as it eventually started and ran fine. When
running, fuel pump sounded normal.
Thoughts on my theories or tips on any other causes are much appreciated!
Neil.
--
Neil n
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