Howdy,
Thanks for the offer, and I have done some preliminary diagnosis, so far
it doesn't sound as bad as I though, I looked at the spark plugs, and
even though they look as if they need to be replaced (the electrode is
brown, go me, but the rest is black) they don't appear to have been
thrashed by something inside the chamber bouncing around. The van can
now start up ok, rather quick for the cold weather, but then it runs
pretty weak. It sound like almost the #1 cylinder isn't firing, and when
I check the knocking noise (it doesn't sound like metal to metal, more
like a loud thud) with a timing light and it is synchronizing with the
firing of the #1 cylinder. When I grip on the intake tube from the Carb
I can feel a vibration coming from the #1 cylinder, i.e. it feels
stronger on the #1 than any other. If I let it warm up at a high RPM it
will seem to stay on but it still doesn't sound right so I don't let it
on for a minute, nor do I drive it. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the help,
Patrick

-----Original Message-----
From: JBowen7@aol.com [mailto:JBowen7@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 9:56 PM
To: kreuzer@ece.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Know any good, fast mechanics in Austin Texas?

Patrick,

Have you had any luck diagnosing your Vanagon engine problem?  I live in
Round Rock and work at Camp Mabry.   Let me know if you need any help.
I could meet you at lunch, or after work.  My work # is 782-6041.

Jim Bowen
'88 Vanagon Wolfsburg
'74 Super Beetle
'72 Squareback