Sounds like the O2 sensor might be bummed up - it would be by now seeing how
it is running so rich.  By design, when they fail they make the system burn
rich.  Rich is better than crispy valves.

-- David Marshall - Volkswagen Enthusiast - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
-- 78 VW Rabbit, 79 VW Iltis, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westfalia        --
-- 85 VW Cabriolet, 87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 VW Syncro Double Cab --
-- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org  --
-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca  --
-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list)  --

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of gcarcher
Sent: December 9, 2000 5:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: I am almost ready to shoot my vaagon!

Dear vanagon List Members:

My 83.5 Wasserboxer runs better than ever during the 60,000 miles I have
owned her.

Yet, the MPG has been declining over the last two months - down from 18 mpg
to 11.5 mpg. No fuel leaks. new Plugs, rotor and distributor cap. Recent
fuel,  air filter and pump.

New Oxy sensor.

My catalytic converter is empty of any catalyst and the muffler has been
cleaned out of all catalytic debris. There is a bit more power and cooler
running engine with a "throaty" exhaust note.

Ignition tuned 3 times in the last 3 months.

Exhaust stinks with partially burned fuel at idle.

Got any Ideas before I pull the trigger0?

Captain Meno.