Doesn't sound very plausible to me.  How old is the O2 Sensor?  How tight is
the exhaust system?  Unusually high HC indicates the engine is running rich.
Make sure the exhaust system is tight -- after mucking around with my '85 I
discovered that at least part of my rich running problems were due to most of
the nuts and bolts being quite loose for quite a while.  Extra air in the
exhaust will fool the O2 Sensor causing a rich mixture.  Make sure everything
is tight and leak free and replace the O2 Sensor if it has any serious miles
on it (VW recommends 30K).

Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy --'Roland'

In a message dated 12/11/00 8:07:10 PM, feehan@RRCOL.COM writes:

<< My mechanic says the oxygen sensor on my 85 Vanagon is not functioning at

less than 3000 rpm. The HC are very high, and I need to pass an emission

test in Colorado. He thinks that the sensor might be setting to high in the

exhaust pipe, and not getting exposed to the exhaust.  My exhaust pipes and

free flow muffler are made by S&S Headers, and are 2 years old.  The cat is

also 2 years old and made by Emico.

Has any one heard of this?

 >>