Date:         Wed, 21 May 2014 12:49:24 -0400
Reply-To:     Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: No Power Under Load - '85 1.9
In-Reply-To:  <CA+Spi20oeoa-UBmUiQ46S07jD3ao+5-XBzd0=xDDsUCCWcy7tQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

​I have a known good AFM I can borrow and I will try that swap tonight as
well. The gas tank and all associated parts are new within in the last year
and a half so it's not crud in the tank.

Angus - I am not sure if it's a lean/rich scenario or not. I'd vote for
lean if anything by the way it feels.

Thanks,

Jeff
'85 GL (Gertie)
'78 Bus (Melissa)


On Wed, May 21, 2014 at 12:46 PM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:

> Gas tank and all associated items (seals, filter, fuel lines, etc) are all
> new within the last year and a half. The only old bit left is the filler
> neck and the gauge float. ​
>
> On Wed, May 21, 2014 at 12:28 PM, TCollins <tonycollin@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm going with obstruction of the gas supply do to years of crud.
>>
>> Blow pressurized air into the out going line. Undo the gas cap. Be
>> careful with gas spills.  Listen for bubbles in the tank. Then try and
>> restart the beast.
>>
>> Crud may settle away from the screen in the inside of the tank but it
>> will come back at some point. Repeat until you change the tank.
>>
>>
>>
>> > On May 21, 2014, at 9:42 AM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> >
>> > 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
>>
>
>