Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:49:56 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Help needed with engine running poorly
In-Reply-To: <1323724026.65266.YahooMailNeo@web120501.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
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It always pains me to see folks troubleshoot by changing parts until it works. Engine performance issues always come down to an engine problem, (rings, valves, valve train), fuel or air delivery, or ignition. While it may start and run initially don’t rule out an engine problem. Your 20K BB rebuild means little. Things happen.
Perform a compression and leak down test. Any discrepancy make sure the valves are opening when they should. My van recently beat me up with a no fire cylinder #1. Compression even checked good. After a while I noticed the intake runner for that cylinder was warm while the other three were cooled by the air going through them. Removed the rocker cover and found that somehow the push rod came out from the rocker. Reseated and all was good.
John L recently had the number 1 intake valve stem wear down enough for the keeper to fail and valve fell into the engine. He also changed a bunch of parts. When I met him in Florida I almost instantly electrical parts were not going to fix it. You have to know the engine is good.
For ignition make sure all the plugs are sparking. It is fairly common for the ignition wires to fail at the spark plug end. Those connectors can either short out or open. Either no or weak spark to the plug. With the engine idling disconnect the injectors one at a time. You will find the cylinder that is not contributing.
Then check for fuel-air delivery including vacuum leaks.
Use the O2 sensor as a diagnostic too. A voltmeter can be used with a good sensor to check that the mixture is correct and that the controls are working.
Clogged exhausts and catalytic converters make distinct sounds.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Joel Cort
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 4:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 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
