Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2017 21:55:29 -0400
Reply-To: John Lauterbach <john@JHL.MGACOXMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Lauterbach <john@JHL.MGACOXMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine died after a mysterious "BOOM!"
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no
With a van that old, you have a choice of getting all the problems out
now, so you minimize chance of needing a tow, or you have them fixed one
by one as your van is towed into the shop.
Van has a number of electric connections with fuel injection
microprocessor and the various components of the fuel and ignition
system. Dirt on the contacts on both sides of the big connector that
goes into FI microprocessor can create all sorts of spontaneous stalling
problems. My '84 was suffering from that problem when I bought it in
1997. I was lucky that a mechanic found problem by accident. Now I
clean it a couple of times a year with CRC 2-26. Time and money spent
now to make sure all mechanical, electrical, cooling, and fuel systems
now will save you much grief later on.
John
On Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 9:21 PM, Roman Haag wrote:
> 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
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