----- Original Message -----
From: "alexander may" <mr_may21@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sat 13 March 2004 16:22
Subject: my 83.5 Vanagon gets no power

> Hello to everyone who is on the list.  Im a new member and just recently
> bought an 83 watercooled Vanagon Westfalia.  I've had it maybe less than a
> month and took it recently on a trip to Samuel P. Taylor State Park for a
> night of camping.  It was the first time I had driven it for longer than
10
> miles and it did not perform that well.  Everything was fine on the way
> there, but on the way home through the hills of Point Reyes I began to
have
> serious trouble with power.  We would start to climb a hill and immediatly
> loose speed on the incline.  I'd have it floored and would still continue
to
> loose power.  We finally had to drop it into second just to make the crest
> of the hill.  On the straight aways, and in fourth gear, I would max out
at
> a top speed of 40 mph.  Has this happened to anyone?  Can someone tell me
> what could be the problem?  If it has happened to you what were the
repairs
> you needed done?  I bought the Van to go cross country this summer and am
> afraid that I might have to replace the engine...  Please help with some
> advice.
>
> bummin

How many miles on the engine?  Any unusual noises?  Any excessive oil or
coolant use?  Are there any signs of a coolant leak - spots under the
engine, wet spots in the head area, etc?

I would take it to a shop and have a compression and leak down test
performed.  Those tests will let you know where the issue lies.  It doesn't
sound happy, though...

Don in Phoenix, AZ