Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 17:28:23 -0400
Reply-To: John <johnpatt@WARWICK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John <johnpatt@WARWICK.NET>
Subject: Re: '87 rough running, fuel starvation?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Neil Wigley wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Back from two weeks around the Four Corners and SE Utah; wonderful
> time of year to see wonderful countryside + wonderful camping.
>
> On the return trip bought a cheap tank of gas in Tuba City AZ (yeah
> yeah I know). Afterwards, car seemed to have less power than normal,
> but what do I know, high altitude, etc. Got suspicious when passed by
> an RV pulling a car.
>
> Then after a couple of hours it started acting like it was missing.
>
> So I tanked up, this time with Chevron + Techron (ta-dah!). Improvement.
>
> A while later it's acting up again. More tanking to dilute any bad gas.
>
> Stopped and put on a new fuel filter. Again it improved after
> resting, but later was up to old tricks, i.e. lack of power and some
> 'missing'.
>
> At the end of the day we spent the night in Needles CA, which is
> where I plan to spend my life after death. :-)
>
> Next morning traveled on towards Barstow. Ran great for a while, then
> a little less power, then less, gradually got to the point where we
> entered Barstow trying to keep above 40 mph while traveling
> *downhill* !!! Talk about fuel starvation!
>
> Rested in Barstow, called my friend who knows everything but had
> nothing to suggest (fuel regulator?), started again. It ran, got to
> the top of Cajon Pass, down the other side, through SBerdoo and
> Riverside etc. A bit of sputtering, not bad in the power range. Got
> home OK.
>
> Now what is the cause of all this? After resting it's fine for a
> while, then gradually loses power as time goes on.
>
> TIA
>
> Neil in San Diego
> '87 Westy
Neil,
I envy your trip experience, sounds great ! As for your power problem,
is the fuel tank properly ventilated ? Vanagon fuel systems are sealed
to prevent HC emissions but the tank must "breathe" in air to replace
the falling level of fuel as its consumed. If the tank ventilation is
impaired, the engine may strave for fuel after a period of running. Try
reproducing the symptom and then remove the gas cap.........
Regards, JP
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