Date:         Mon, 21 Oct 1996 23:11:39 -0400 (EDT)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         ERIC ZENO <emz@viper.nauticom.net>
Subject:      Re: 84 Vanagon: Would you fix if it yourself (if you were me?)

On Mon, 21 Oct 1996, John Mendoza wrote:

> The engine is running very rich during idle and haphazardly hesitates to
> accelerate from a stop.  These symptoms have resulted in.
> 
> 1.      hesitation from stop to first
> 2.	hesitation from first to second (happens less frequently than #1)
> 3.	high hydro carbon emissions readings
> 4.	high carbon dioxide emissions readings
> 5.      very bad gas mileage.  
> 
> Dealer stated that it'll cost $320 total for the fix...  I have some
> questions on the dealer's proposef fixes.
> 1.      sticking throttle valve ($6.00 cleaner & brush, 118.00 labor) 
>         Q: Can just anyone find this throttle valve and clean it?  How
> hard is it to locate and remedy?
> 
> 2.      seeping (seaping?) fuel line #3 ($22.00 parts, 78.00 labor)
>         Q: Not yet leaking, but at this point seeping.  Any dangers in
> replacing this thing?  
> 
> 3.      $79.00 Diagnosis fee
> 
> Main questions:  If you were me (a person who's not really too
> knowledgeable yet... book's on the way from KevinS though... would you
> tackle this project yourself and be able to do it in 1 to 2 hours? with
> minimal danger?  Kind of worried about the fuel line since fire and fuel
> equals possible boom :-)  
> 
> More stats on "me":
> 1.      Can do oil changes on the 84 vanagon... woohoo
> 2.      replaced the coolant reservoir myself!
> 3.      replaced alternator myself! 
> These are the extent of my minimal expertise.  Can I perform the first
> (throttle valve) and second (fuel line) myself?
> 
> Thanks y'all!
> 
> John 
> 
> 
   One Question can you use an Ohm meter?

               Eric