Date:         Tue, 13 Nov 2018 17:04:47 -0500
Reply-To:     Mark Pinnell <mark.stuart.pinnell@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Pinnell <mark.stuart.pinnell@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Fuel System or Electronic?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

A little back story first. Recently returned from a 2300+ mile trip from
our home base in Ontario (last trip of the season as she goes into storage
in two weeks). Pearl, our 1985 Westfalia performed flawlessly for a thirty
plus year old vehicle, until the last 60 miles. I could feel a sudden loss
of power at 60 mph and, although she did get us to a nearby rest area, she
did not want to idle and I had to pump the accelerator pedal to keep the
revs up to get her to a parking spot. When we came back out, it was a very
rough start and again had to push/pump the accelerator to keep her going.
As we were close to home, we decided to try to limp home.
Basically had to keep the pedal near the mat on flat ground, could let up a
little on the downhill, and matted her anytime there was a hill. The
passing gear cut in below 50 mph and she sounded OK above 3000+ rpm.
Thankfully, we got her home without further incident...
When I cycle the key, the fuel pump does do its thing for a very brief
(maybe a second) time, but it sounds quieter than normal.
Did some research and checked that the fuses in the front fuse block are OK
(they are), switched the two relays inside the covered box on the right
side of the engine compartment to test the fuel pump relay and reversed the
polarity on the fuel pump in case there were any stuck particles/sediment
affecting the operation. I also inspected the white plastic tanks and all
of the fuel lines that I could trace for cracks and/or leaks,but nothing to
report. She does sound normal when and if I  can coax the rpms up.
Net result = 0. Symptoms remain the same.
I will next check for fuel flow, and while my gut tells me fuel pump, just
wanted to get wiser/more experienced views as to how I might proceed. I'm
guessing that it may be electrical as well, or in addition to.
I put a new fuel filter in before we left, and the spark plugs probably
have 25,000 miles on them, but as I  have new ones I plan on replacing both
tomorrow (weather permitting as we may get 8-10" of snow tonight).
I apologize for the lengthy post, but figured the more information the
group had, the better.
Any guidance, thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated.
Mark