Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:13:10 -0400
Reply-To: Tom Stone <tstone8359@AOL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Stone <tstone8359@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Battery/Starter/Wiring issue 1985 Westy w/ 2.1L & 4sp
In-Reply-To: <736EA0404E8E4D68AD2B2285E27DA19F@KarlPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I just completed a 2500 mile round trip to Florida and back (Ohio) in my '91 Carat. I had the A/C serviced before I left. Had to finally replace the compressor I had been nursing for 6 years and the receiver/dryer and expansion valve. In other words, the A/C was in tiptop shape. It was turned on the minute we left the house, was on the entire time we were in Florida and was on all the way home except for the last tank of gas purchased in Ky where it was finally in the 70s. Fuel mileage averaged 15 to 17 except for the last tank. It was 19+. The wife could not have survived without the A/C in the Florida 95 degree heat and nearly 100 percent humidity. Happy wife, happy life.
One of the connections on the Y pipe in the exhaust system opened up just short of our destination. Got 177 miles out of that tank. I tightened up the bolts when things cooled down and we were back to 15-17. Had a couple of light bulbs burn out. Other than that, it was an uneventful trip, automotively.
Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sun, Aug 28, 2011 8:25 pm
Subject: [VANAGON] Battery/Starter/Wiring issue 1985 Westy w/ 2.1L & 4sp
Went for a shakedown cruise today, wandering up from Phoenix to the top of
Mingus Mtn. (above 7000 ft.), where we did some scrubbing and checking of
this and that in nice cool air. Got back to Phx around 4pm, with the
temperature around 112 degrees. Filled up at Costco to check trip mileage
(17.8, which kinda sucks), turned the key and had super slow starter motor
for a couple seconds, then normal and fired right up.
Several questions:
This trip is the first time I've used the AC in about 15 years, and the
frist time I've used with the 2.1L engine; how much should I expect the A/C
cut into fuel economy? I drove about normal speed (65 - 75) for most of the
trip; this usually yields just shy of 20 mpg.
Starter issue - I've replaced the battery to starter wire and the the
alternator to starter wire with 2ga. The starter was recently rebuilt, the
engine normally turns easily. I have NOT replaced the starter ground
connection, and have not inspected that wire. This slow starter (Uerh -
uerh) was the reason I replaced the wiring, and since then, it has turned
quite quickly and starter right up every time. I'd imagine the heat had
some effect, and I certainly should take a close look at that battery ground
wire. Any other thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Karl Wolz
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