Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 07:41:28 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
Subject: Re: No Power Under Load - '85 1.9
In-Reply-To: <CA+Spi20V6mo4Gj4X1yVXPYakkpT_VbUnwhh3YE1cYmL0YWX=gg@mail.gmail.com>
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Check the AFM plug. Also, check the vacuum line to the black boot. You could have a massive vacuum loss.
Karl Wolz
Sent from my electronic umbilicus
> On May 21, 2014, at 6:42 AM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Ok, this might get kind of long.
>
> Just before Christmas my Gertie decided she was not going to move anymore.
> Poor running hard to start crappy at idel and no power at all under load -
> give her gas she died. The thought was it was a fuel issue (and I think
> that was right). Towed her home and there she sat because winter was brutal
> and I didn't have garage space.
>
> Sunday I finally got around to looking at her. Sprayed some starting fluid
> in the throttle intake and she fired up - so spark is there. Realized I
> couldn't hear the fuel pump - got a helper to turn the key while I listened
> closer - sure enough the pump wasn't working at all. I hooked the wires to
> my spare pump and it worked fine. Swapped them out (new filter too) and
> gave her a drive tot he corner and back - Yay all is well.
>
> Had the road insurance activated and was going to put some miles on her
> last night - poor running, no power under load, can't get out of first gear
> and can't get the RPM's up past say1500 or so. I couldn't even make it to
> the end of the block - I limped her back - having to feather the clutch to
> do so (she stalled out twice but always started right back up). She idles
> fine and I can get the RPM's up in neutral.
>
> So what now?
>
> Here are a few things (that I am unsure of): When this happened just before
> Christmas it was unseasonably warm out and it was raining. Yesterday when
> this happened - it had been raining. I know there isn't water getting in
> the fuel because the tank and all seals are new within the last year an a
> half or so. The Dist cap is only a year old and is dry as a bone inside. I
> could probably use some new plug wires because while they don't look bad
> they are several years old. I'm not sure moisture is a factor but it is
> still in my list of suspects.
>
> The other thing I considered (and I could be way way off) - last year I
> replaced the clutch - while I was in there I changed the fly wheel seal
> because it had been leaking. Well, it leaks worse now. Because feathering
> the clutch helps move her when the problem is happening - I had considered
> that maybe that oil leak is enough that the clutch is covered in oil and
> slipping thus causing the issue of no go when in gear and under load. That
> however could be completely way off and bad mechanical knowledge all
> together - it's just something that came to mind.
>
> I considered bad gas because she has been sitting and I didn't treat the
> gas - but I also considered that if the gas was bad wouldn't she run bad
> all the time? Even at idle?
>
> Tonight I will check the grounds and hopefully replace the plug wires - but
> beyond that I haven't a clue where to turn.
>
> Of course I'd really like to get it running and have a day to drive it
> because I want to take it to Buses by the Beach Bus Benefit this weekend.
>
> Your knowledge and advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
