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Date:         Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:00:53 -0700
Reply-To:     neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Van Died @ 70 MPH. Why? (Jetta conversion)
Comments: To: Tom Lambas <twlambas@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAF7dTYU1=3bYViMYaUqDagqEcsOy8zKja4ZSZSngVHiXdU5Vqw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I do have a spare. Thanks for the tip! I bet my coil is the original.

I have seen threads on vwvortex regarding cracks on the OEM coil (age related). I see what you mean. Too much heat would affect cracks on an old coil.

Neil.

On Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 7:32 AM, Tom Lambas <twlambas@gmail.com> wrote: > A couple of times over the years I've had an ignition coil fail after > a period of driving.  After letting everything cool down for a while > it would work again. Got one you could swap in? > > Tom L > > On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 2:18 AM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> 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 >> >> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp >> >> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/ >> >> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group: >> >> >> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines > >

-- Neil n

65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines


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