Date: Sun, 21 May 2017 07:20:57 -0400
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Intermittent Power Loss - '91 Westy
In-Reply-To: <CAGXJJtwiXPpOs1WLNTiiQ3T=k+6_ofV17s2L3z2iR-z2LScfnw@mail.gmail.com>
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Fuel pressure gauge
On Sun, May 21, 2017 at 7:05 AM, Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@gmail.com>
wrote:
> The first thing that comes to my mind on this that I'm wondering if you
> might have a fuel pump that is possibly partially clogged or is starting to
> die. Not sure how to check this other than to replace it.
>
> Steven
> 91 Westy
>
> On May 20, 2017 10:48 AM, "Wes Neuenschwander" <
> wes.neuenschwander@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > While preparing our 'trusty' '91 Westy for a trip to the remote (and
> > supremely lovely) Okanogan region of Eastern Washington, I experienced a
> > sudden loss of power, with the rpm's dropping from 3,000 to around 800,
> > even
> > with the throttle depressed. Still on my local Seattle neighborhood
> > streets, I pulled over and after a minute or so was able to nurse the
> > engine
> > back up to 3,000 rpm, restoring power and driving back home. Took it
> > directly to my regular (and every excellent) local VW shop, Fine Tuning
> in
> > N. Seattle, without any power loss or other problems. The car repeated
> > the
> > power loss during a test drive, this time losing power completely and
> > engine
> > dying. The owner, Chris, was able to restart the engine after a couple
> of
> > minutes and got it back to the shop, where they went over the obvious
> > stuff,
> > not finding anything. Next day, they started the vehicle and left it
> > idling
> > for an hour or so, without problems. Subsequent test drives also went
> > without problems.
> >
> >
> >
> > On Chris' suggestion we disconnected the O2 sensor and I've been driving
> > it,
> > mainly on short, local drives now for several days without incident.
> >
> >
> >
> > Haven't encountered anything similar in the 26 years we've owned the van
> > (bought it new in '91), though have barely driven it for the last couple
> of
> > years (like 700 miles over 2 years!) with the van sitting in the garage,
> > idle, for the last several months or so.
> >
> >
> >
> > In addition to the O2 sensor / sensor wiring possibility, Chris has also
> > suggested it could also be a faulty ECU. The ECU is original, and I know
> > these tend to have solder joint corrosion problems over time. I'm not
> sure
> > how old the O2 sensor might be, though it's probably not original (but I
> > suspect it's pretty old). Ditto, I guess to a degree, various other
> > sensors, as well as sensor wiring. Ignition components, including spark
> > plug wiring, distributor, etc. have been fairly recently been replaced.
> >
> >
> >
> > The engine is a GoWesty 2.2L engine, installed nearly 10 years/25,000
> miles
> > ago, and aside from the recent loss of power problems, has run
> beautifully
> > since it was installed.
> >
> >
> >
> > I've done a lot of searching of the Vanagon List archives for information
> > about similar loss of power problems, so realize the O2 sensor and ECU
> > issues are commonly involved in such situations, but would be most
> grateful
> > for any/all ideas or suggestions for other things to check. At this
> point
> > I'm more than willing to invest in a replacement O2 sensor and even (if
> it
> > seems indicated) a rebuilt ECU. However until something is found that
> > reasonably explains these random power loss events I'm very reluctant to
> > drive the van very far and certainly not into remote areas.
> >
> >
> >
> > Many thanks (as always)!
> >
> >
> >
> > -Wes
> >
> > ___________________
> >
> > Wes Neuenschwander
> >
> > wes.neuenschwander@comcast.net
> >
> > C. 206.498.8787
> >
>
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