Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 09:18:03 -0400
Reply-To: "Chris S." <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Chris S." <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Never brag (and please help get my van started...)
In-Reply-To: <CA+zeSsRULpuN4pmuKfMxgUwwM+qQDQNfq2YvsBNAq9_g8WExWA@mail.gmail.com>
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I world look at regular maintenance items first like rotor cap and button, spark plugs and maybe wires. After two years of great running it is time to replace at least the first two items I listed.
Chris.
Wysłane z iPhone'a
Dnia Apr 9, 2012 o godz. 1:19 Aaron Robinson <a.robinson.lists@GMAIL.COM> napisał(a):
> Hello.
>
> Our 87 westy has been running well for the last 2 years. But now seems to
> have an issue. Perhaps brought on by a lack of humility on my part. Read on
> for more info.
>
> When I first got it, it needed an exhaust and a number of little things,
> which tuned into snapped off studs on the passenger cylinder head resulting
> in replacing the head. Since that and a bad running issue (broken ground
> wire in harness) it's been running well and weve had no issues. It did
> always seem to require more cranking than any of the other 2 vans I've had,
> but always started.
>
> Fast forward 2 years.
> 8 weeks ago - hard start and rough warmup after 2 nights at Mt. Rainier. I
> figured it was cold, but it really wasn't that bad. ~15-20F.
>
> 6 weeks ago - the hard starting is seems a little more noticeable.
> Stunbles/runs a little rough after it first starts. "perhaps it that temp2
> sender that I never replaced". I think about doing it. We don't drive it
> all that often, so it's always "I'll get to it later".
>
> 2 weeks ago - brake pedal starting to drop while at stoplights. Figure I
> should replace the master cylinder before plowing into the back of someone.
>
> 3 days ago - pick up some parts (seats and seatbelts to prepare for kid #3
> coming in 6 weeks) from a listee who is parting out a van. Tell him "it's
> been running great". Big mistake!!!
>
> 3 days ago - while backing out of said listee's driveway, shifter was stuck
> in reverse. The bushings by the tranny were worn and ironically chose that
> moment to get stuck. Got it unstuck and drove home slightly more humble.
>
> 2 days ago - pull van into garage to replace the master cylinder. While
> driving the van up to the garage, it was very hard to start and ran rough.
> Very unusual. Time to replace the temp2 sender? Focus on brakes first.
>
> Today - Fix brakes. Start van and it's really rough. It dies and I try to
> start van and nothing but cranking. Temp sender? Replace and enjoy the
> coolant bath. Still nothing but cranking.
>
> Now I'm beginning to be much humbler. for quick checks, I pulled the
> injectors. I have fuel. I also checked all plugs and have spark. While at
> it checked compression - ~135 on passenger cylinders. ~145 on driver
> cylinders. Thought "perhaps it's a vacuum leak". Wasted most of a bottle of
> brake cleaner and burned a hole in the ozone trying to find a vacuum leak.
> It's touch to say though since it wasn't actually running. Exhaust smells
> of gas after some time cranking.
>
> I now realized that my downfall was saying "it's been running great".
> Instead I should have said "it starts and runs. What else should I ask
> for?" Now I come humbly and ask for assistance. I'd call myself an advanced
> novice. What would help me most is a sequence of things to check. I can do
> the labor part, but the understanding the system/thinking is always what
> gets me. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge, vacuum gauge, timing light,
> but I do have a multimeter and a 5 year old to ask me questions while I
> look at things.
>
> Thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. The wife is beginning to like the
> sound of "new minivan".
>
> Humbly,
>
> Aaron
> '87 Westy
> Bremerton, WA
