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Date:         Fri, 18 May 2012 09:01:48 -0400
Reply-To:     Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: AC causes engine reduction in performance and stalling
Comments: To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To:  <4FB64618.90803@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks guys. I'll definatly try that this weekend. A quick visual inpsection didn't reviel anything obvious. In having the engine work done, I had the mechanics install a new O2 sensor, so that would align from a timeline perspective of when the symptoms started. I'll let you know how it goes.

On Fri, May 18, 2012 at 8:52 AM, Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:

> Gregg, as Dennis says, when the van is running poorly, try turning the > ignition off and then back on again. If the van runs better for a minute > then starts messing up again it is definitely an oxygen sensor problem or > an oxygen sensor circuit problem. Let us know what you find out. > > Ken Wilford > John 3:16 > www.vanagain.com > > > > On 5/17/2012 5:05 PM, Gregg Carlen wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> My 1990 Westy (automatic, 2WD) has been running great since I had the >> heads >> redone, tune up, coolant replaced, exhaust repaired, etc, this spring. >> Last >> summer, I had the AC repaired (new hoses, dryer, compressor and condensor) >> and things worked great last Fall. >> >> Now that the weather is getting warmer here in Northern Virignia, I'm >> finding my need (desire) to use the AC more often. So, I started using it >> about 2 weeks ago and whenever it runs for about 30 seconds, then the >> engine seems to 'bog down' and power is lost. To explain that a little >> better, when I'm driving and this occurs, I can maintain speed for a >> couple >> minutes, then I loose power (almost as if fuel was being starved) and the >> van starts to slow down. If I push on the accelorator more, the engine >> continues to decrease power but is trying harder and the faintest black >> smoke starts to come out of the exhaust. As soon as I turn the AC off, >> everything resumes to normal in about 2 seconds (power, speed can be >> increased, no black smoke). Another symptom is if I am stopped a traffic >> light (or for any other reason) with the AC on, the engine will stutter >> and >> reduce the idle RPMs until it stalls out. >> >> There have been a few occasions where this 'AC reduces power' symptom >> didn't occur and everything worked fine. It seems like only the last 2 >> weeks has this started to act up (again, keep in mind I only started using >> the AC this spring in the past 2 weeks). >> >> A few other factors that 'may' be related and influence what is occuring. >> FYI, I've had the van for about a year, so only last fall did I use the AC >> (and didn't experience any issues). The AC will ONLY turn on (AC >> compressor >> clutch kicks in, fan blows cold air) when the two AC switches (fan speed >> and thermostat switch) are turned up to their highest settings. If either >> is turned to a lower setting, the AC does not operate. Also, the PO had >> removed the stock radiator fan and replaced it with an aftermarket that is >> controlled by a manual toggle switch (attached to the steering column). >> This 'AC reduces power' symptom seems to occur regardless if the radiator >> fan is turned on or off. I also have a flashing coolant light, but this >> van >> has always had that problem (I need to search the archives to refresh my >> memory about the cuases for that and fix that, too). >> >> I saw an archived thread about an AC idle stabilizer, but that was for a >> 1.9l. Does that exist on the 2.1? Given the symptoms above, could that >> component be causing this if its failing? >> >> Any suggestions of where to start troubleshooting/testing? >> >> Gregg >> 90 Westy (Blueberry) >> >>


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