Hi all,

All this talk about weird idle problems sounds too familiar.  I asked
about this some time ago, but the answers I got are hiding on my old
computer.  My '87 Westy has an idle problem as well, but I haven't
really done anything to troubleshoot it as of yet.  When I first start
my van in this lovely cold weather we're having, it runs a little rough
for the first few minutes, even sounding like it's misfiring.  There is,
of course, a strong smell of unburned gasoline.  After a couple of
minutes the idle smoothes out, mostly, and settles in somewhere around
1700 RPM.  I only recently noticed, however, that the idle fluctuates
between about 1550 and 1700 RPM.  After I've driven the van long enough
to get it up to operating temperature, the idle jumps up to 2000 RPM
when I put it in Park (yes, it's an automatic).  Gas mileage fluctuates
between 14 and 15 mpg.

Another weird thing I noticed a couple of times happens when I get off
work.  After the van's been sitting in the parking lot all day, I get in
and crank it up.  Being in a hurry to get home, I don't let it warm up
very long.  A couple of times when I went to pull out of the parking
lot, I pushed down on the gas pedal, probably harder than I normally
would, and the van seemed to lose power.  I let off the gas a little and
hit it again a little lighter and everything seems okay (except for the
fact that those oncoming cars are now closer to me!).

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Marc Perdue