Sounds like the catalytic converter core has turned into a golf ball and
is now blocking the exhaust.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Clive Smith
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: HELP! Coins in the laundry and Power Loss???

Better not be pinking or detonation - if exhaust has gone, mixture will
be
weak, exhaust valves at risk.
Take care!

Clive
'88 Syncro Transporter

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Yarnell" <Andrew.Yarnell@KIMLEY-HORN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:11 PM
Subject: HELP! Coins in the laundry and Power Loss???

Listees,

I have had a couple of weeks of good performance and driving in my 87
Wolfy
GL, but in the past few days a new sound has come about, and I am not
getting the torque and acceleration I used too, mainly on the highway,
it
just sits at 3200 RPM floored, and I can not get over 55 mph. Before I
could
get up to 70-75 mph at around 4000 RPM.

I am having trouble figuring out where this rattling sound is coming
from,
it sounds like coins going around in the clothes drier, only appears at
idle, or low RPM, when you give it gas the rattling goes away. My
exhaust
and headers are in sorry shape; rusty, holey, welded and then broken
again
near the passenger side head, I hope to replace it all next month. I do
need
plugs, wires, cap and rotor, which I have on order from Bus Depot, so
hopefully this will help with the performance issue. It seems like the
low
power comes only when the rattling sound is apparent, when the rattling
is
not there, "regular" performance returns. I wish I could figure out
where
the "coins in the drier" are, but it sounds like it could be coming from
just about anywhere. I could even be in the tranny for all I know.

Any help or similar experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Andy
1987 Vanagon Wolfsburg Weekender GL "Wilma!"