Date:         Fri, 16 Aug 2002 19:07:51 -0400
Reply-To:     "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Organization: Bulley-Hewlett
Subject:      Re: Loss of Power False Air Oil Breather?
In-Reply-To:  <a05100302b9830caa88ad@[24.209.175.7]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Tell us more about the symptoms and less about the things you did.
Loss of power when? Under load? On acceleration? All circumstances?
Does it idle correctly?
Is the fuel pressure correct?
When did this loss of power start, all at once following some DIY
futzing, or gradually over time? If it started all at once, what did you
do just prior? If gradually, what has been different in the
circumstances lately? Hotter weather? New gas station? New teen driver
with access to the Van? Carrying an 18-ton commemorative anchor from
your trip to the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial?

From the tiny bit you described, I'd guess the timing is off, you have a
clogged filter (could the air filter have gotten wet?) or your Catalytic
converter is melted/fused and plugged.

Developing business and guiding change since 1996,

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Marketing & Communications
Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com
AIM = IExplain4u
Phone: +1.919.658.1278


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Tim Marciniak
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 4:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Loss of Power False Air Oil Breather?

New problem just cropped up for me with my 90 Vanagon.  I seem to
have a significant loss of power both when engine is cold and warmed
up.  Recent maintenace included replacing the ground strap from block
to ignition coil, cleaning up contacts on the ignition coil, new
rotor, distributor cap, new spark plugs and wires, new air filter,
recent oil change.  Checked throttle position switch and this is ok.
Idle stabilizer is working.  I then checked for vacuum leaks and
replaced vacuum line from fuel pressure regulator to intake manifold
because this line looked suspicious although I think it was ok.  Next
I pressurized the intake system with air found a leak coming out of
the oil breather pipe.  This is the large black plastic pipe that
sits on top on the engine with a line that goes from it to the air
intake hose just after the AFM.  This black breather pipe is not
supposed to be vented in anyway to the atmosphere---Correct?  Because
of this I suspect I have an air leak into the intake system after the
AFM (false air) which may be leaning the air/fuel mix.  Has anyone
had problems with this pipe?  Mine seem to be leaking near the top
ridge just under what looks like a cap on this pipe but it is not
removable from what i can tell.  Any suggestions appreciated.

TIA

Tim
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