Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:04:37 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon syndrome...it sucks!
In-Reply-To: <3F709CDE-5653-4BC2-B03E-34AB6C9A09EA@me.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Your symptoms are typical of an O2 sensor or system failure. The slight
improvement in running is also part of that indication. As the sensor goes
off line the mixture will go rich as the ECU is looking for that sensor
input. Without the sensor feedback the ECU continues to richen the mixture
until you get the choke and puke effect.
Go check the archives for lots of O2 sensor information. You need to test
both the circuit and the operation of the sensor itself. The sensor is also
heated so you need to make sure that the heater is good and that the power
supply to it is also good. When the sensors are weak or the catalyst is shot
the sensors can get to cold due to highway wind and stop working. From the
factory there was a deflector clipped on to help with this.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jason Ellis
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2016 9:59 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vanagon syndrome...it sucks!
Ok all, I've searched The Samba and tons of other websites for my issue.
Maybe one of the gurus here can help.
I have typical vanagon syndrome symptoms. Driving on highway for a while,
then suddenly loss of power and bucking. Turn off engine, restart and all
is good for an indeterminate amount of time. I did notice that just before
(10 sec or so) the power loss starts, I seem to have a smoother running
engine with a hair more power. I also had the syndrome start and I exited
the freeway with very little power. I shifted into 3rd and it chugged a
couple of times and the BAM, like a switch was turned on, the van power came
back. Drove home another 30 min on highway with no problem.
I have done the following:
35v 22uF capacitor between 2(+) & 4(-) on harness to AFM New fuel line,
pump, filter, tank, and pressure regulator Refurbished, cleaned and flow
tested injectors New alternator harness
I have not cracked open AFM. I started to, but I didn't want to screw up
anything.
Any thoughts? Anyone have a spare good AFM I could test out? I hate to
spend money on a AFM when I could be sourcing parts for either an engine
swap or a Megasquirt setup. I'm at my wits end. I drove about 70 miles on
Friday and during a 30mile stretch I had the syndrome pop up every 1/2 mile.
Thanks for the help!
Cheers,
Jason Ellis