Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 08:13:26 EST
Reply-To: DanielisOk@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Daniel Bey <DanielisOk@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine cutting out
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Hi Guys,
I don't know what's normal with my Westy. I only had it less than a year and
it's been a learning experiance and lots of repairs to bring it up to snuff.
My problem did start when it was cold in the teens, not to mention the chill
factor. I can't seem to get the temp up when it's freezing, especially when
driving. The chill factor brings the temp way down. I can't even get warm air
out of the heaters when that happens. I suspect it could be a faulty
thermostat? I should also try a piece of cardboard in front of the grill.
I did put two bottles of dry gas in the tank. I don't know if it helped,
because I'm now driving the jeep around. I do still drive the Westy around
too, but I don't trust the problem is fixed by just the dry gas. Don't want to
break down in the cold.
I want to love my Westy but it's being to tricky for me. I ask, how could it
let me down after all that love and attention. I guess I'll try some of the
tips the list gave out. Just have to figure which to do first.
Dan
87 Syncro GL Westy
71 Bug Conv.
In a message dated 1/9/99 9:33:02 PM, you wrote:
<<Hello Daniel and James,
This is kind of bizarre, because I am having the same problems you guys
are with my '87 Syncro. I was leaving a restaurant a couple of weeks
ago, and my bus seemed to lose power and didn't want to run going up an
onramp to the expressway. I shut the bus off, then restarted and the
engine revved fine. I pulled out only to experience the problem again
when a load was put on the engine. I went through this cycle four or
five times, then she ran fine and took me home.
The next morning on my way to work, the problem began again. I had to
turn back and drive my old GTI. The day this problem first happened the
van ran fine to work, and then to the restaurant. It was our first
really cold night, and I suspect that I have water in my fuel system
that is freezing. I had some problems with bad gas this summer, but
never got around to changing my fuel filter after some dry gas cured
it. Our temperatures in Ohio have been below freezing since this
started happening, so I haven't been able to see if a warm day cures the
problem.
I hope to replace my fuel filter tomorrow and add some drygas, since we
have a heat wave coming through (high of 22 degrees). This whole deal
has really sucked because I haven't been able to take the Syncro out to
play in all this snow we've been enjoying.
I would appreciate it if you guys would share any insights you might
have. I will let you know what I find tomorrow if you are interested.
Kinda strange we all have 87 Syncros and are experiencing the same
problem.
James, how cold was it when you first experienced the problem? Does it
get cold enough to freeze in Texas?
What about you Daniel, was the temperature below freezing when you began
experiencing problems?
Thanks for your help,
Brett Fairbanks, Delaware, Ohio
'87 Vanagon GL Syncro
'83 GTI
'72 VW Sportsmobile Camper Bus>>
