Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 10:04:05 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk0otO77mtZiRguNO-x=3KzFXg2vbUPESEXGqwnofZpEOQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Every now and then I get a chuckle thinking back to the days when many now
experts couldn't recognize or spell Vanagon. If there is one fault with the
auto repair industry it is the number of folks that learned strictly on the
job with very little in the way available to test or certify technicians. It
is not just Vanagon owners that have trouble getting "competent" work
performed. When I bought my motor home back in 2004 it took almost a year to
get reliable headlights. I replaced the headlight switch myself. I had the
dealer do the first valve adjustment. Ended up with a leaking valve cover
gasket and that was a $400 plus job. Had dealer in Florida do an oil change
once. They tried to charge me 11 gallons of Mobil Delvac 1. My engine only
takes 5. Had a customer bring me a Toyota with a "pinging" problem. Another
shop replaced the head. Turned out it wasn't ping but piston slap. Common
problem on these engines. Guy paid $3k for the head job and still really
needed an engine. That was a fun court event. That shop ended up paying me
to replace the engine. The fun goes on.
When things go wrong many want the quick fix. Adjustments never fix
anything. All changes in operation revolve around something failing. As
these vans are getting old we have to include the wiring as a common
problem. But symptoms should always be diagnosed. Don't just "clean the
grounds". Which ground? Is it the wire or the connector? Is where a bunch of
connectors are tied together? Find the problem, then fix. Don't just unplug
the O2 sensor. What does it do? When is it looked at? You won't fix a no
start with that one. If the input lead is shorted you won't know until you
get the meter. In 25+ years and 150+ Vanagons I've changed 2 air flow
meters. Both were opened and tampered with. They really don't go bad. Even
if worn they really do so little the engine controls compensate if the O2
system is working.
The vanagon engine control system really is an easy one. Just a few quirks
with the O2 sensor but overall it works very well. Most often running
problems turn out to be something past the controls. Bad valves, worn
guides, rings, etc. will make more grief then the controls.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jim Felder
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 7:12 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
Dennis, are you saying he ISN'T???
LOL I know I am! We have a great shop in town and they call me! Happened
today.
Jim
On Fri, Jan 17, 2014 at 5:11 PM, Dennis Haynes
<d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:
> Some of us are just waiting for you to go into the Vanagon repair
business!
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Steve Cotsford
> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 1:17 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
>
> Seems like I can be amusing to some :-) Glad to be of service LOL
Enjoy
> it while it lasts ;-) Steve
>
> On Jan 17, 2014, at 12:29 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
>
> > No end of challenging problems between you and Steve Cotsford and
> > his Bluestar! The list would be boring without you.
> >
> > Is this the one you've replaced the distributor on? Revisit that
> > first, wires second, injectors third. Stumbling under load is
> > usually a spark or fuel problem. I just had a similar problem and
> > the coil secondary wire was badly corroded at the coil. Clean and
> > spray them all
> with a little WD-40.
> >
> > Stuart
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > Behalf Of JRodgers
> > Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 7:23 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
> >
> > Rough engine - the latest pita I'm having to deal with on a string
> > of
> many!!
> > I'm on a roll!!
> >
> > Ok - hot or cold - engine starts and idles well.
> >
> > Conditions - ISV disconnected due to Idle issues
> > O2 Sensor Disconnected to put ECU in default mode.
> >
> > Cold engine: starts easily, idles easily, but upon attempted
> > acceleration it bucks, kicks, snorts, hiccups, coughs - finally
> > smoothing
> out at speed.
> >
> > Warm engine: starts easily, idles easily, but upon attempted
> > acceleration it bucks, kicks, snorts, hiccups, coughs - finally
> > smoothing
> out at speed.
> > Only the bucking isn't quite so bad. Occurs mostly on the initial
> > acceleration after idling successful.
> >
> > Suspicion: Throttle body switches out of limits and need adjusting.
> >
> > Anyone have any ideas about this?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > John
>
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