Date:         Wed, 21 May 2014 09:42:03 -0400
Reply-To:     Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      No Power Under Load - '85 1.9
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Ok, this might get kind of long.

Just before Christmas my Gertie decided she was not going to move anymore.
Poor running hard to start crappy at idel and no power at all under load -
give her gas she died. The thought was it was a fuel issue (and I think
that was right). Towed her home and there she sat because winter was brutal
and I didn't have garage space.

Sunday I finally got around to looking at her. Sprayed some starting fluid
in the throttle intake and she fired up - so spark is there. Realized I
couldn't hear the fuel pump - got a helper to turn the key while I listened
closer - sure enough the pump wasn't working at all. I hooked the wires to
my spare pump and it worked fine. Swapped them out (new filter too) and
gave her a drive tot he corner and back - Yay all is well.

Had the road insurance activated and was going to put some miles on her
last night - poor running, no power under load, can't get out of first gear
and can't get the RPM's up past say1500 or so. I couldn't even make it to
the end of the block - I limped her back - having to feather the clutch to
do so (she stalled out twice but always started right back up). She idles
fine and I can get the RPM's up in neutral.

So what now?

Here are a few things (that I am unsure of): When this happened just before
Christmas it was unseasonably warm out and it was raining. Yesterday when
this happened - it had been raining. I know there isn't water getting in
the fuel because the tank and all seals are new within the last year an a
half or so. The Dist cap is only a year old and is dry as a bone inside. I
could probably use some new plug wires because while they don't look bad
they are several years old. I'm not sure moisture is a factor but it is
still in my list of suspects.

The other thing I considered (and I could be way way off) - last year I
replaced the clutch - while I was in there I changed the fly wheel seal
because it had been leaking. Well, it leaks worse now. Because feathering
the clutch helps move her when the problem is happening - I had considered
that maybe that oil leak is enough that the clutch is covered in oil and
slipping thus causing the issue of no go when in gear and under load. That
however could be completely way off and bad mechanical knowledge all
together - it's just something that came to mind.

I considered bad gas because she has been sitting and I didn't treat the
gas - but I also considered that if the gas was bad wouldn't she run bad
all the time? Even at idle?

Tonight I will check the grounds and hopefully replace the plug wires - but
beyond that I haven't a clue where to turn.

Of course I'd really like to get it running and have a day to drive it
because I want to take it to Buses by the Beach Bus Benefit this weekend.

Your knowledge and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff