Thanks to those who offered advice on checking fuel pressure on my
possessed '88 Westy. I ended up using a mechanical oil pressure gauge
and several pieces of hose to make it all fit. The gauge reads to 100psi
over about a 270 deg sweep, so the resolution was not bad. The results
indicate my fuel pressure is wihin spec of 29-36 psi with & w/o vacuum
hose. It also maintained 36 psi for at least 10 minutes after stopping
engine. I did see the pressure drop the first time the engine sputtered
(within 5 secs of starting), but only briefly, and it didn't happen again, even
when the engine stalled, so I think the pressure is ok.

Last night I also removed the Idle Stabilizer control unit, IS valve, and
cleaned the various hoses, and replaced. No difference. There is one
component on the ISCU circuit board that looks like it may have
overheated - I seem to recall seeing pics of this problem somewhere -
does anyone have the link?

Also checked the idle as per Bentley (except for checking the timing, but I
think it is ok), the idle was set so that it stalled when cold if ISV was
disconnected, but after warming up, it was not far off, perhaps about 75-
100rpm low with O2 and ISV disconnected. Still no change after bumping
idle a bit. Throttle switch contacts checked ok.

I have not yet checked the hall sender as per B, but it *looks* ok, contacts
clean.

I was really hoping to find fuel pressure problems, but I guess I will keep
searching. At the rate the drivability is worsening, we won't be doing any
camping this summer if I can't nail this down :-(

Thanks for the help so far...--
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
'88 Westy 375k
'85 Jetta D 263k
'85 Jetta TD 482k (retired)
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