Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:07:06 -0800
Reply-To: Joel Cort <joel_cort@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joel Cort <joel_cort@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Help needed with engine running poorly
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Sorry for cross posting but there are experts on both lists.
It really sucks when you are the mechanic and you don’t know what to do.... so with my tail between my legs I turn to these forums for any assistance.
I have an 89 Syncro Westy with the stock Boston Bob 2.1 Liter gasoline engine with about 20K miles on the clock.
Symptoms are that it start fine, idles fine, revs up fine without a load and with a load it dies out at about 3000 RPM. So about when you engage 3rd gear to get going ..... Nothing and it loses power from there. Luckily I am in my driveway and not somewhere on the road in Wyoming.
IT was suggested to me, by several mechanics on site at Westies at Watkins, who know more than me, to check the air intake, the fuel pressure or I may have a plugged muffler/catalytic converter.
OK All good areas to focus on so the first thing I did was change the fuel filter. No changes and I went from there changing and swapping one component at a time and going for a test drive. Here is every component that I have changed, tested, adjusted, syncro-nized and still I get no satisfaction.
1. Fuel filter - new
2. Fuel pump - swap
3. Fuel pressure regulator – swap
4. Ground wire checked and cleaned
5. Temp II sensor - new
5. Air Flow Meter – swap PS (I have the Vanagon Syndrome capacitor soldered into the AFM plug)
6. Air intake boot – swap - sucks plenty of air just fine
7. Throttle body cleaning and new seal
8. New vacuum rubber hoses
9. Air filter - new
10. Spark plugs - new
11. Spark plug wires - new
12. Catalytic Converter – see through baffles relatively new
13. Muffler – relatively new – no mouse nests
14. Oxygen Sensor - relatively new
15. ECU - swap
16. Distributor - swap
17. Coil – swap with another green coil
18. Timing – set per Bentley
19. Fuel lines replaced last year
20. good exhaust manifolds, no leaks
It's a real bummer; man!
The only other thing that I can think of is to swap out the idle computer module behind the taillight since the sensors and ECU connect in on this and it may send goofy signals to the ECU at various times.
Also I have not messed with the charcoal canister and that section of the fuel venting system. Should I?
I will stumble down to the gas station and refill the tank with good high grade gasoline just in case there is some bad fuel as well.
Are there any other things that I have missed? Any help or suggestions or areas to re evaluate will be considered.
Thanks,
Joel Cort
Rochester NY
jcort@rochester.rr.com
joel_cort@yahoo.com
89 Syncro Westy (VanGo)
87 Syncro Transporter (Stella Blue)
73 Westy Campmobile (Agent Orange)
Western New York LiMBO Representative www.limbobus.org
Founding member of the Empire State VW Camping Club www.empirevwcamping.org
Westies@Watkins XI is planned for September 21-22-23, 2012 www.westies-at-watkins.org
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