Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 10:50:07 -0500
Reply-To: Steve Cotsford <cotsford@AOL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Cotsford <cotsford@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
In-Reply-To: <BAY179-DS2D781ED7EA00F655CC9C7A0BB0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
5 gallons of oil in your engine ?? I know the US gallon tends to be smaller than the Imperial gallon but not that much smaller. I feel sure you meant to say quarts LOL :-) Steve
On Jan 18, 2014, at 10:04 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 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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