I frequently get up above 9000 feet (we are surrounded by mountains here)
and it still runs OK, with no starting problems.  Just the lower power and
MPG.

Bill

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Lee" <gary2a@TELUSPLANET.NET>
>
> Here is my diesel vanagon / thin air story:
>
> I drove my turbo diesel westy up to the top rim of Yosemite (10,000 feet
> I think) a while back.  It was September and getting cold.  The engine
> was getting worn out so it was not in the best shape to begin with. It
> would just barely run after I got it started. I could not get the van
> started at all unless I disconnected the alternator (unplugged the
> field).   When the alternator was connected there was too much load on
> the engine and it would not stay running just after you started it.