On 14 Jul 2003 at 9:59, Ed Hinchey <EJHin@AOL.COM> wrote:

> I start tonight with cleaning grounds and contacts etc..
>
> The ECU cooling blades were so hot, they could have burned my skin.  I agree
> that something must be amiss if its running that hot, but i also understand that
> heat has been a problem with these ECUs.  I think, if I go with the cooling fan,
> I will install the external fan first and cirulate air over the cooling blades.

This is one thing I haven't checked, but in my case, I am beginning to suspect that I
do not have have the typical VS. In my case, the symptoms are these:

-when cold, the van will usually stall within 1 minute if left idling.
-will buck like a bronco during the first 5 minutes of driving from cold, not continually,
but usually one episode every minute or two. Yesterday, this continued for the first 15
minutes of driving, but the day before, I drove nearly 30 minutes with only one or
episodes. (Yesterday was the first time in 7 years that I considered turning around
and getting the Jetta, but we were on our way to Volksfest, and the Westy (usually) is
way more fun...)
-will occasionally (like once every 3-4 hours, sometimes longer) buck a few times at
highway speeds.
-yesterday marked the first time the engine actually died during an episode, this after
an hour of driving, just approaching my house, leaving a corner in 2nd gear, it just
died, even with clutch out, lots of gas. I left key turned on, coasted with clutch in for a
second, let clutch out and it started right up. Then did the same thing on the next
corner.
-at one point yesterday, I unplugged the o2 sensor, but found power and throttle
response seemed to be reduced, and it still bucked, so I plugged it back in.

Here's what I've done so far:
-installed cap in AFM, along with ground from AFM to left side head
-replaced left side head to left engine wall ground
-rebent AFM wiper arms (twice)
-installed cap on alternator, and 4ga ground from alternator to front engine comp wall
-replaced fuel filter, air filter
-replaced blue temp sensor on t-stat housing (no difference, old one had same
readings when cold).

Things I have not yet done:
-replaced plugs/rotor/cap, they were done 5 years ago, but only 50k kms, and they
look a bit worn, but *ok*. Since it does run well when not bucking, I'm guessing they
are not the cause, right?

Other than the above, the van runs well, has good power, and gets a consistent 24
mpg Imp.

Perhaps I should be considering some non-VS related issues, since mine seems
different than most? I really don't want to start replacing expensive parts, as this
motor is destined for replacement with a TD someday.

Comments welcome....
--
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
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