But I refuse to get rid of it, because when it's running well, I
> love it.
>
I think we all sympathize with  this one!
>
> Anyway my new problem, which just started about 4 days ago, is when I let
> off the gas pedal at slower speeds the van starts bucking. It does this when
> I'm driving around town, between stop signs, and when coming off the
> freeway, coasting to a stop in gear. Of course when I press the clutch it
> stops. It also does the same thing when I take off from a stop without
> giving it a lot of gas. Feels like clutch chatter, but right now I'm not
> assuming its a clutch problem because I just had the engine out a few weeks
> ago and the clutch disc looked like it had about 80% of life left.
>
> I have had the van loaded with about 700 pounds of band equipment for the
> last few days. I wonder if that might have anything to do with it? Maybe
> I'll unload it and see if that changes anything. I'm wondering if maybe it
> has something to do with the throttle switch. Isn't it supposed to lean out
> the fuel mixture when you let off the throttle? I don't know...I've been
> testing and adjusting everything I can think of, and now I'm stumped.
>
> Has anyone had this problem and found a cure?

I just had a similar problem and it was a clogged injector.  I swore it was
a clutch thing!  Check your ignition system including injectors and make
sure you have the basics - fuel, air, and spark.  I did this by idling the
engine and removing one wire from the distributor cap at a time and then
replacing it (someone may have a better method!).  You should hear a
noticeable change in the engine sound each time you knock yourself down to 3
cylinders.  If you don't hear a change, then you've found the culprit.
Good Luck
Cory Sammons
84 Westy
99 New Beetle