Date:         Tue, 13 Nov 2018 19:46:48 -0600
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From:         =?UTF-8?B?RGF2aWQgT0tDIPCfh7rwn4e4?= <okdavid55@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fuel System or Electronic?
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Hi Mark -- Several years ago, I was driving my stock '91 with A/T during winter on the Interstate.  Had been driving for a couple of hours when the engine began to stumble and lose power while at highway speed.  Nursed it to the nearest exit (which fortunately was within a mile) and pulled into a gas station.  Shut it down. Then restarted a few minutes later.  It started right up and idled as normal. Thinking all was now ok (ha!), began to drive away with engine running smoothly.  Got one block away and the stumbling began again.  

Pulled into another gas station right away.  After thinking about this for a bit, I realized the ambient temperature was well below freezing during the drive. I wondered if perhaps I had moisture in the gas which was freezing and disrupting flow to the motor. With considerable blind hope that this was the problem, I went inside the gas station/c-store and bought a couple of containers of Heet, which, of course, is designed to remove moisture and prevent freezing.  After pouring the Heet in the gas tank and letting the van idle for about 15 minutes, I drove away and did not again experience such problem the rest of that trip -- nor since.  Talk about a lucky break.  I have to assume ice/water in the fuel line was the culprit, but I don't really know for sure.

Just my two cents in the hope my experience might help you.

David Stell
Oklahoma City

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Mark Pinnell
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2018 4:05 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Fuel System or Electronic?

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