I seem to have developed an engine problem. Let me begin by saying I have an
88 GL, this engine has about 70,000 miles on it and the van has only 110,000
miles (had an engine die at 40,000 and replaced by local VW dealer). The
problem seemed to develop over a relatively short time, perhaps several days.
The engine shortly started bucking pretty badly, rocking from side to side,
causing a vibration like something out of balance and there is a dramatic
lack of power. I'm not loosing any fluids (no dripping) other than a slow oil
loss that I've had for a long time. Took out the spark plugs and they look
pretty worn so I changed them. A lot of the dramatic bucking stopped but not
the loss of power and the out of balance vibration. I tried to move the van
and at low rpm it feels like I'm running on 3 cylinders but at mid rpm, there
is a slight kick but not enough to get very far. I then bought a compression
tester and found a low left front cylinder. That one runs 100 psi while the
right rear and left rear read 150 psi and the right front reads 160 psi. But
is that just wear on the heads, broken rings or something entirely different
like an electrical problem? I've had suggestions to check a number of
electrical connections and I pulled the green wire on the O2 sensor to see if
it improves for a few seconds. It didn't so not likely the O2 sensor. So what
to look at next?

Thanks.

Bill H.
88 GL
Pittsburgh

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