Chris-

Did you check your fuel pump?  Check the injector connections- both fuel and
electric?  Water in your gas tank?  Bad gas?  Exhaust sensor?  Temp II
sensor?

I had an almost similar experience with my Vanagon and it was a loose
electrical connection to number 3 fuel injector.  When my mechanic pushed
the electrical connection tight, my problems went away...

Chris W wrote:

> [ I apologize in advance for the lengthy post ]
>
> Hello all,
>
> I could really use some help please.  For three years my 87 syncro has
> been
> running relatively "trouble free" while living in California, however the
> minute I return to the Northeast coast I began having problems... To the
> point, my syncro is experiencing loss of compression (as if someone
> grabbed
> the fuel line and squeezed it) followed by the engine shutting off. Once
> it
> shuts off and I come to a stop it is very very hard to get it started
> again.
> About two years ago my syncro experienced the "Vanagon Syndrome," to which
> I
> bought the "wiring patch" for the AFM and the problem was resolved.
> However
> now I am experiencing the same symptoms as the "Vanagon Syndrome"
> (hesitation
> at speed) coupled with the Rpm's dropping to zero, the engine turning off
> and
> not able to turn back on for up to 10 to 15 minutes.
> This problem has escalated to point that my Vanagon is now UN-drivable,
> leaving me stranded on Martha's Vineyard Island (there are worse places to
> be
> stranded as I have experienced in the past...)  . The mechanics at the
> local
> VW shop here on the island (Bug & Bus) and I have tried numerous possible
> solutions over the past week.
> We have:
> -installed a new fuel filter, temperature sensor, rotor cuffs, and other
> basic tune up stuff...
> -installed a new Air Flow Meter
> -cut open and checked the wiring going to the fuel injection (tube
> containing
> the wiring from the AFM to the fuel injection)
> -tried driving her with the AFM "Vanagon Syndrome" wiring harness on and
> with
> it off (hooking the plug directly to the AFM and then through the wiring
> harness). In both cases the problem still exists...
> -I have swore at it and threatened it...
> -I have apologized and promised to be nice...
> NOTHING...
>
> To be more precise; I will be driving along and she will bog a little then
>
> the Rpm's will drop completely, even after pressing the gas peddle down
> the
> Rpm's will remain dropped (as if they had fallen asleep) the engine will
> remain on for a couple seconds and then it will cut off leaving me rolling
> to
> a stop.  Sometimes I can turn the engine right back on while at speed
> (putting the clutch in and then letting it out in a jump start manner),
> but
> if I come to a stop it will take up to fifteen minutes to turn it on...
> When
> I try and restart her it sounds like it is out of gas the "Wa Wa Wa Wa
> waaaa"
> sound and nothing, the Rpm's twitch a bit, but the engine won't start.
> When I
> finally get it to start it starts for two seconds and then shuts off
> again.
> Then it takes me another five to ten minutes to start her, and when she
> starts I have to "gun it" and take off in order to move for more than a
> couple hundred of feet.
> The problem started in June with a slight bogging while driving along
> (usually right after starting her up), again (like the "Vanagon Syndrome")
> it
> felt as if someone had squeezed the fuel line and then let go... The
> problem
> continued to escalate all summer until a week ago when it shut off while I
>
> was driving at 30mph, and it was difficult to get the engine started. The
> next day it happened again, however this time I lost all compression i.e.,
>
> the Rpm's dropped to zero and it was difficult to get the engine started
> again. Now it is almost completely UN-drivable, except of course when the
> mechanic tries to drive it and then it drives fine for them...
>
> We here are completely baffled, and I am at my ropes end (my wallet is
> burning a bit too)... Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated!!!
> Thank
> you in advance!!!!!
>
> -Chris Wright
> 1987 Vanagon Syncro GL (my baby)
> 128,000 miles
>

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