Date:         Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:07:53 -0800
Reply-To:     "SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject:      Re: 1991 Westy - altitude sickness?
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY179-DS220E4F5983D583BCE05163A0A70@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

is it getting full 95 to 100 % throttle , at the throttle plate  ???


On 1/21/2014 6:34 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> If considering 70 an accomplishment on flat ground at sea level I suspect
> you do have an overall performance problem.  I always start with the basics
> beginning with engine compression and a leak down test and eventually ending
> up at fuel delivery and exhaust restrictions. A partially clogged fuel tank
> outlet or restricted filter before the pump will raise havoc at altitude as
> the fuel vaporizes at the pump inlet. All things need to be tested and
> proper operation confirmed. A failed catalyst can clog the muffler with the
> pieces and cause all sorts of performance problems. You need to do some
> digging.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> KevinPGilleran
> Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 10:25 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 1991 westy - altitude sickness?
>
> Dennis,
> When we were at altitude I had the gas pedal to the floor of the vehicle, on
> a straightaway not incline, so I think that there was and is a mechanical
> issue. Once we dropped back down to essentially 0 altitude then the van was
> working fine so there is some hose loose or sensor that appears to not be
> functioning properly.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Kevin P. Gilleran
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 3:36 AM
> To: 'KevinPGilleran'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: RE: 1991 westy - altitude sickness?
>
> >From an engineering point of view a naturally aspirated engine loses 3% for
> each 1,000 ft. elevation. The O2 sensor should have no problem compensating
> for 5,000 ft. to keep the mixture close. Where you able to get over 50 if
> you down-shifted? Manual or automatic? If automatic is the kick down working
> properly. Inability to take hills in an automatic can also be a sign of a
> bad torque converter.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> KevinPGilleran
> Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 4:07 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 1991 westy - altitude sickness?
>
> All,
>
> On my last trip out to the Grand Canyon and then circling clockwise around
> to Zion I found that my 1991 westy had problems with what I can only imagine
> is the altitude (4970 ft at Kanab Utah). I could barely get the van up to 50
> miles per hour the entire time we were at elevation. But once we dropped
> back down into California and were back on highway 5 (400 feet or so) we
> were back up 70 mph no problem.
>
>
>
> Any ideas of where I should start on this issue would be much appreciated.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Kevin P. Gilleran
>