Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:36:51 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: [Syncro] Help needed with engine running poorly
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
try it with oxygen sensor disconnected.
I don't see where you have checked the actual fuel pressure ( unlikely it's off though )
I'd try another distributor ..
though when those mess up it's more won't-start or cutting out .
I doubt the idle control unit is causing the problem ..
no harm in trying another one.
I don't see that the throttle switch making contact at idle and WOT has been checked or fixed.
I would use mid-grade but not premium, seriously.
and ..fwiw..
I just found a ton of water in a Vanagon's tank..
and a near clogged fuel fitler ....
and the new tank is only 5 months old ...
( that was a smaller 84 style fuel filter pre-pump, since removed and new large fuel filter installed )
I have not seen a syncro fuel tank clog up ..I have seen them not feed fuel when pretty low though.
Some times I run vans on a completely different fuel tank rigged up in the back seat ..
though I don't think you're there quite yet.
I don't see anything about Temp Sensor II .
I would check extensively for vaccum leaks ..
though I don't think that's it ...
I have found up to 10 tiny vaccum leaks on the entire intake system from throttle body to intake ports. ..on one engine.
re
Air intake boot – swap - sucks plenty of air just fine
it's not that they don't suck air right ....they always do that ..
it's that a cracked one can suck air in a big crack ....what's called 'false air' .
Sometimes there is a crack but it only opens up under engine torque.
I had a turbo volvo of mine doing exactly the same thing ..
drove me nuts ...acted like clogged cat ..wasn't.
finally found it ..
after a certain amount of boost .......boost pressure would cause this one oil-rotted main hose to open on the side..
which cut air flow through the AFM ( air mass meter really , on that 88 car ) ..
the the AFM would see less air flow ..
thus ECU would cut back on fuel .
( here's a similar one ..new TDI conversion same thing ..won't go over 50 mph. Guy worked on it for a couple of months ..finally he had someone watch the engine while he drove..
an intake hose was collapsing under suction , restricting air flow. )
check your air boot and associated hoses very carefully ..
and I can't help saying ..
check/clean/test/inspect more ...as opposed to just trying parts.
heck....pull the injectors out and check their spray patterns ....still attached to the fuel hoses on the engine ..
for example. Probably not it either ..
just an example of testing-inspecting-cleaning-checking as opposed to just trying parts.
btw....I seldom *ever* hear about any techicians considering the fuel itself.
I've seen water in fuel a lot , especially at this time of year. 'Usually' it's not a real problem ..
but the fuel itself should always be sampled ..and considered.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Joel Cort
To: Syncro List ; Vanagon_List
Cc: Emp_VW_Camping_Club@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 1:07 PM
Subject: [Syncro] Help needed with engine running poorly
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
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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