So the other day I fired up 'dorable Dora, the 1985 Westy. She had been
sounding like she was running a little, I don't know how to describe
it, 'dry' lately, and the day before I had put some oil in as it wasn't
as far up the dipstick as I'd like. (Not sure if that has anything to
do with my problem.) But anyway, this time she started and I think I
woke up some people in Seattle.

Apparently, my Van thinks she's a  Harley Davidson. When she idles,
there's an odd, loud PUT-PUT-PUT that gets even worse when I
accelerate. She seems to be running fine, if anything the acceleration
seems better than normal, except that the problem she has with sort of
hesitating at stop lights has gotten more frequent and more pronounced.

So I'm wondering if any of you can think of what the problem might be.
It's a little scary driving around now.

Thanks much,
Devin Chalmers
Juneau, AK