My money is on the fuel pump.  Classic symptoms.  Check the pressure
when this happens, or just put a new one on.  $150-$300 depending on
manufacturer.

Darrell Johnson wrote:
>
> Any help appreciated with the following:
>
> With a new engine and many new components (see below)
> on my '90 Carat  I've got intermittent
> loss of power, missing and hesitation
> in what is oft called the dreaded
> "Vanagon Syndrome"
>
> Symptoms-
> Starts and runs well most of the time
> but on occasion when at a stop, engine will
> start to miss and idle will climb and become erratic.
>
> During this period throttle does not respond.
> Repeated pumping of the throttle will
> eventually cause the engine to respond and
> van will get moving,although with much bucking
> and hesitation.  These symptoms show up anytime,
> regardless of how long the engine has been run.
> I'm not sure if this is a pattern, but if I've
> run the van on a long trip, park it for a
> few hours, upon restart it seems more
> likely to get the Syndrome.
>
> Of course, the symptoms will not reoccur
> for my mechanic.
> Capistrano VW went ahead and replaced the
> idle stabilizer and the throttle position switch,
> but the very next day the symptoms returned.
>
> -------------------
> Here's what's new on the Van
> (Although I know new parts go bad)
>
> Remanufactured motor (Fast German)
> Has VW ECU Harness Fix
> New Airflow Meter (Bosch part)
> New Ignition Wires
> New Dist Cap, Rotor
> New Air Filter (K&N Insert)
> New Temp II Sensor
> New Fuel Lines (in engine)
> New Fuel Filter
> New Idle Stabilizer
> New Throttle position switch
> New Catalytic Converter
> New Transmission
> FYI During recent smog check, passed with *very* low
> pollutants
> in a very strict California test only facility
> -------------------
>
> As a semi-informed lay person I'm thinking that it
> might be the ECU, but I don't want to spend $600+
> on another gamble.  I've already dumped (invested?)
> a lot of money on this van to make it
> my main machine.
>
> I have to admit, I like this Van, but my days as a
> vanagon owner are numbered if
> I can't solve this.
>
> Help ;)
>
> =====
> Darrell Johnson
> Mission Viejo, CA
> 1990 Vanagon Carat
> (w/LT27X8.5-14 Dunlops)
>
> __________________________________________________
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--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)

Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT