Date:         Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:36:16 -0400
Reply-To:     Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: HELP-- 45 MPH @ WOT ???
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

        TJ, check the air intake.  Remove the connection between the air box and the fire wall pass through and try driving with it disconnected.  If that cures your problem then the paper and foil corrugated flex tube in the right rear corner panel going up to the fresh air intake tube has collapsed and is blocking air intake.  You can access it and feel it by removing the right rear tail lamp assembly.  It can be replaced with ordinary 3" plastic dryer vent hose from the hardware store.  One other possibility would be a blocked CAT or muffler from CAT pieces from a CAT that has come apart inside.


On 2011-09-26, at 11:30 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:

> I'm going to throw this out there as I'm still having some trouble and
> perplexing trouble at that.  I've been having some problems getting the van
> up to speed and holding speed on the highway.  it starts, runs, accelerates
> fine.  It's a little slow after 50 but right at 60 mph (4k), the engine just
> stops pulling.  If I give it any more gas, she just winds down.  I have to
> back pedal to get it up there and keep it there.  It's a VERY fine sweet
> spot and I have NO power at that speed.  People are blowing by me like I'm
> going backwards.
> Here's the crazy part, if I floor it, it bogs down and will ONLY do 45 mph
> and it has a very slight sputter to it.
> 
> Here's the scoop: 87 GL, 2WD, Auto, stock 2.1, I COMPLETELY cleaned the fuel
> tank out for a fresh set of gaskets about 6 months ago, new fuel filter, new
> fuel pump, new fuel lines from bow to stern (dumped the firewall fitting),
> new FI clamps and hoses on the injectors, and has been running well (aside
> from marginal gas mileage).
> 
> I've been through a few tanks of gas and a bottle of water remover so that's
> a non issue.--NO CHANGE.
> I swapped AFM's since it's quick, easy, and I have a few spares. --NO
> CHANGE.
> I swapped Air filters (for the same reason as above). --NO CHANGE.
> 
> I've pretty much given up on a fuel flow or air flow issue as it's at the
> EXACT same speed/RPM range EVERY time that's plaguing me with the slowdown
> and it's ONLY when I dump her to the floor that it goes into the speed
> DECREASE.  It's so counter intuitive to back off the pedal when you're
> trying to pick up speed.  Especially when just one or two millimeters too
> much and now you're slowing down due to throttle position and that semi is
> right at your back door and closing fast!
> 
> I'm going to check the cap and rotor but anyone have any other thoughts or
> heard/seen this?
> It's just so strange that it starts and runs fine at all other points.  I
> guess I shouldn't completely discount a fuel issue but it's not like the new
> pump is cavitating ONLY at that speed and every time ONLY at that speed.  I
> guess it could be a total fuel volume issue but how could it be, again, only
> at that almost exact same point each and every time?  Seems too specific for
> fuel.  Electronics are the only things I know of that can be so repetitive
> and exact.  That keeps putting me back at ignition.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> TJ
> 
> Yes, I have spare ECM's and AFM's so playing swaptronics is not a problem.



Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2011