Date:         Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:37:06 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: EPA and Vanagon Emissions-reducing Vanagon pollution.
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Proper maintenance, testing and operation is the key. The combustion process has not changed over the years, only the tolerance of the controls. 

Start with the fuel system. Make it is tight and that the vapor recovery system works. This controls hydrocarbons being released into the air from evaporating fuel. 
Do not over advance the ignition timing or during rebuild consider engine modifications such as cam-valve lift/timing or increasing compression. These changes and maybe even some engine conversion increase the production of NOx. Make sure the O2 sensor system is working properly and at catalyst replacement time consider the big bucks of OEM. I have yet to see a replacement cat have as much material as the original.   
If you area has an emissions test program and you fail, get it fixed? Working right it will pass any states-local requirements easily. Failures for our years always mean something is wrong. No temporary adjustments or magic chemicals should be needed.

Then there is all there other stuff such as tires and alignment and brakes not dragging. Slowing down can also make a huge difference. If 30% more fuel is used at 70 vs. 55 not only do you make 30% more greenhouse gasses/mile but the increased loading will further increase the production of NOx which the Water boxer does not have EGR to help control it. The three way cat and O2 sensor have to do it.    

Dennis



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2012 12:50 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: EPA and Vanagon Emissions

---- Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> He's likely talking about this:
>
> <a>http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/26/us-usa-co2-ruling-idUSBRE
> 85P10920120626</a>
>

Which does nothing concerning older vehicles, only new ones.  But, of course, as always, older vehicles become less problematic as they are dropped out of use.  Are there things we can do to our Vanagons to render them less polluting?  Keeping them in proper running order and keeping the exhaust system and so on up to snuff are all I know to do.  I would like to do more.  mcneely

> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> Bend, Ore.
>
> On 06/28/2012 08:20 AM, Loren Busch wrote:
> > On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 8:10 AM, JRodgers<jrodgers113@gmail.com>  wrote:
> >
> >> Did anyone note the announcement on Tuesday that the EPA won it's 
> >> last case which will now allow them to absolutely dictate what 
> >> happens with our beloved Vanagons - by way of emission control? 
> >> It's gonna be interesting times ahead.
> >>
> >
> > Citation/source/details on this John?

--
David McNeely