Date:         Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:41:03 -0400
Reply-To:     TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Van won't run right - troubleshooting help
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

David,
  I've had those EXACT same problems before.  I swapped out every part I had
stashed (that was EVERYTHING on the van) and struggled for months.  Driving
was HORRIBLE and sometimes downright scary when it ran poorly and I needed
to move quickly.  Just because it starts, runs, or even drives, do NOT think
it's something you've checked or changed.  PUT A GAUGE ON THAT FUEL SYSTEM
AND CHECK THE PRESSURE PER THE BOOK!  PERIOD-DOT.  Bosch fuel pumps have a
propensity for doing the Energizer Bunny trick and will run, run, run but
will not run properly.  That dog will start, idle, and I've driven HOURS
down highways with a failing fuel pump, but for over 6 months, I NEVER put a
gauge on it because I thought it was good since I not only swapped the pump
(this is after the tank was pulled, cleaned, ALL lines replaced, new filter,
new gaskets in the tank) but since it ran, I figured it MUST be something
else.  Sorry for the run on sentence and for being so "mental" over the
whole thing but I'm telling you what someone told me the other day for a
different issue, "Forget what you think you know..."

Don't forget your temp II sensor, Oxygen sensor, or your CAT is clogged (All
those thanks to the list for an issue I was having)

Good luck,

TJ
87 GL




On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 3:56 PM, david hardy <david@planetmind.net> wrote:
> So I have this issue with my '86 Westy that's got me stumped...yesterday =
it
> started missing a
> tad, then just it quit on me in the middle of traffic (luckily a block fr=
om
> my house) after
> running great all day. It would turn over but just not fire. After tons o=
f
> cranking I got it
> started again, but it was running really rough, no power, very unbalanced=
,
> coughs and sputters
> when trying to rev it. It seemed to go between running perfectly then
> terribly every few
> seconds. I got it home and it's getting spark, fuel pump is working (pump
> runs and there's
> pressure in lines). Have also have a 1990 Westy, so I swapped out the AFM
> (no change), coil (no
> change), ECU (no change) and the distributor (no change). Funny thing is,
> this morning, it
> started perfectly, but then immediately started running really rough like
> before. And now it
> won't start (no ignition at all) again.
>
> I've had this issue a few times before, but it's always cleared itself up
> within a minute or
> two. Now I guess whatever was failing has done so for good. Anyone have a=
ny
> ideas?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> David
>