Date:         Tue, 28 Mar 2017 21:21:15 -0400
Reply-To:     Roman Haag <romanhaag@YMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roman Haag <romanhaag@YMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Engine died after a mysterious "BOOM!"
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

So, thanks for letting me in on The List.  Heres what I'm working with ;)
1.9 liter 83.5 Vanagon L.  I'm 5th owner, but clearly this one was cared for by someone.  The last owner only had it for 6 months, but I believe was the one that repainted it.   (I really think he was flipping it to make some money)
Looks REALLY nice, but is just a 34 year old Vanagon.



So happened just like that.  Was no more than 5 minutes from home, having just left.
"Bang!", engine died, wouldn't start.

Two other things to know...one, I just had the fuel tank vent lines and seals replaced last week.  (Filled her up, no issues)
Two, I went over a speed bump at the bottom of 2nd gear...Used 2nd to slow and went over what I thought was a wide & low bump.  (The ones at my apartment are bigger and I take them in 1st)

I don't recall whether it was the front or rear wheels but as I was rolling over the bump I heard a really loud (especially so between the building and the fence I was between) "BOOM"!...I thought for sure I popped a tire.   But the engine died.  Odd.  

I rolled to a stop and got out to look around.  Nothing in the road.  No popped tire.  Tried to turn her over and I got a sputter, like she was trying.  After a little wait I tried again and got no sputter, but just the starter turning over.  Turned over really easy like there was no resistance against it. (Usually, it sounds like it isn't gonna roll over at all, but after the first or second time it starts)

So I had it towed to my mechanic (a seasoned VW mechanic who works on little else than Vdubs...old one too.  Never saw a new one at his shop)

He called me today and said that he poked around the engine compartment today, found only a couple of "air hoses" loose...not disconnected just loose.

Couldn't figure anything out and got in to hear what it sounded like when it tries to start.  Thats when it happened...it started.  Don't know why, or how, or why it wouldn't before, but it just started.  He let it run for 45 minutes and it was still fine.  
Tomorrow he is gonna take it out and find some speed bumps and try to replicate my experience.

Anyone have any experience like this?

Thanks again y'all.

Roman aka Justsomekentuck