Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:15:22 +0000
Reply-To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine hesitates upon take off
In-Reply-To: <CAEwp_cQd=zyA9+rLQpcV2KxnOpoKAteFsFBbmu1GsorNfJhbSA@mail.gmail.com>
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I'm keeping all this troubleshooting wisdom in mind but my '87 only seems to have the problem after it's been sitting, which it frequently does as third vehicle (fourth if you count the motorcycle). I recently did a 7-day 2400 mile trip to Miami and back and had no sign of the problem on that trip, and I suspect that regular use would prevent the problem for me. Mine may be a resulting from lack of use, whatever the specific cause for that might be. I'd think if it were mechanical (AFM, plug wires, etc.) it would occur with every cold start and not just after prolonged parking. Thanks for all the leads, though.
Stephen
On Thursday, June 18, 2015 11:01 AM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
Scott,
As always, that's good advice. Here's a little background on my
particular issue. It has been happening pretty much since I've owned
my van, which I think I bought in 2003. Not sure off the top of my
head. Since that time, I have replaced (or had replaced; I didn't do
the work) the transmission and engine, with a big valve engine from
Boston Bob. I have methodically gone through this engine one step at a
time trying to track this problem down. By now, I can't really
remember everything that has been replaced and/or tested, but here's a
partial list:
AFM
AFM boot
Adjusted throttle switch
Replaced idle control valve and module
Replaced seals on gas tank
Replaced all fuel lines, vacuum lines, and spark plug wires
Tested fuel pressure regulator
Replaced Temp II sensor
Replaced O2 sensor
Replaced entire exhaust system
Checked timing
Had valve lash set correctly (it wasn't set correctly when first installed)
Watched the engine run in total darkness, even misting the spark plug
wires to check for cracks
So, I have gotten to the point of testing the fuel injection. And it's
not very clear of what a good spray pattern actually should be when
you're testing and it's a sunny day; the spray is hard to see. But one
of them looked less than optimal compared to the others. So, I
replaced them and it may or may not have fixed the problem.
Frankly, Scott, I wish I had someone like you nearby to go through my
van with a fine-toothed comb. Everybody I've taken it to proclaims
what a great running van I have, after replacing a part or two or
three, of course. But the problem is usually back the next day.
Sigh...
Marc
On Thu, Jun 18, 2015 at 5:15 AM, SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> the spray pattern of the injectos is exceptionally easy to test right on the
> engine.
> See Bentley.
> I have rarely seen a genuinely bad-spary pattern waterboxer injector. ...a
> few , but not many realy.
>
> the ecu fires all for injectors at once ..
> like one 4-part injector. So doesn't matter which connector is on which
> injector.
>
> which is kinda sloppy actually .......not very precise for sure.
> given that every cylinder is on a different stroke at a given instant ..
> it all works out ..just not very precise.
>
> There's an oppossed 4 cylinder engine that some people install very
> successfuly in Vanagons with a much more modern engine management system
> those have Sequential Fuel Injection ..
> the ECU knows precisely where each cylinder is and the individual injection
> for each cylinder if fired at exactly the correct tim for that cylinder -
> nice.
>
> Anyway, not a big surprise to me that the new injectors did not make a big
> difference.
>
> there's an old Rule from carburetor days ..
> still applies ...
> first you check *everything* about the engine mechanically ...compression
> .....vacuum leaks ...unrstricted exhaust system ...air intake system
> ....rocker arm adjustments etc...everything that is 'mechanical'.
>
> next check the ignition system very very carefully ....make sure that it is
> all right ..strong spark, correct timing etc.
> I've seen spark plug wires be 'it' a few times ...when it didn't seem like
> it should be ..but it really was.
> Watch the engine run in total darkness and look at the plug wires.
>
> then get into the fuel injection.
> there are numerous pretty easy checks in Bentley .
> doing those ..if nothing else you learn a lot and might discover something
> in the process or even fix it.
>
> if there is the temptation to think it's One Thing..
> resist that temptation.
> I have seen countless cases of poor running or hesitation or running issues
> where it was 5 half things, or more.
> good luck !
>
> On 6/17/2015 2:20 PM, Marc Perdue wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Well, today was overcast and in the low 80s, so I took off the
> afternoon from work and installed my new fuel injectors. One of the
> screws on the old injectors was so rusted I had to drill it out to get
> the injector off without breaking the manifold. Because that took way
> more time than it should have, I didn't get a chance to drive the van
> today. It did, however, start up pretty quickly after I got everything
> back together. At this point, I was just looking to see if there were
> any leaks and if the van would start. No leaks! Yay!!
>
> One thing I realized as I was putting everything back together,
> though, is that the connectors for the injectors aren't marked at all.
> Does it matter which connector is connected to which injector? I tried
> swapping the ones on the driver's side and it didn't seem to make any
> difference.
>
> I'll let you all know the outcome after I've had a chance to drive it.
> My gut feeling at this point is that there doesn't seem to be an
> appreciable difference in the way the engine runs. We'll see . . .
>
> Marc Perdue, in central VA.
>
> On Mon, Jun 15, 2015 at 10:25 AM, Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I've noticed that when accelerating from an intersection, after sitting at
> a red light, my 2.1 WBX will sometimes hesitate for 5 to 15 seconds. I'll
> start moving, but the engine has no power and giving it more gas does
> nothing. After those few seconds, the engine will start to pick up power
> and soon everything will be running fine.
>
> This has just start happening and is still sporadic, but it is becoming
> more frequent. Seems to only happen after a full stop, like at a red
> light. Would this be a clogged fuel filter or what?
>
> Thanks for any ideas. FWIW, the fuel tank and the ECU were replaced a few
> years ago.
>
> Rick
>
>
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