joy:

i had my doubts about the O2 sensor being the culprit. the latest
explaination also sounds fishy.

the air flow meter measures air flow, and signals the computer, but it
does not directly control the flow, that is up to the throttle.

unless the mechanic just now replaced the spark plugs, they aren't new
anymore, because they have been operating on a malfubctioning engine.

dan

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 23:04:45 -0400, Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU> wrote:

>Dan (et alia),
>
>Latest update on the problems - the O2 sensor didn't do it, they examined
>more things and found that the air flow meter doesn't work.  It goes up to
>300 (or is it 3000?), then if you push the accelerator to full throttle it
>goes back down and lets less air in, so the power drops.  If you pump the
>accelerator it is better, because you're closing it down to where it work,
>then opening it again.
>
>So I'm waiting for parts again, stuck in Marquette till Monday now.  And
>this one is expensive!  At least Marquette is nice and I'm still happily
>ensconced with local VW fans!  And I don't care too much about the other
>things in my schedule that have gotten a bit messed up.
>
>
>Joy
>
>p.s.  My spark plugs are new, actually.
>
>
>****************************************************************
>Joy Hecht
>and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
>
>For musings about life and the vanadventures:
>http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
>
>****************************************************************
>
>:::-----Original Message-----
>:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
>:::Of Daniel L. Katz
>:::Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 2:10 AM
>:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>:::Subject: Re: looking for technical assistance in Wisconsin or
Michigan/UP
>:::
>:::dear joy:
>:::
>:::if the new oxygen sensor proves not to fix the problem, please make
sure
>:::the mechanic has inspected the spark plugs. with a now assumed good
fuel
>:::filter and pump, the suspicion falls even more on the ignition system
>:::(incidently, it is possible the bad oxygen sensor itself might have
>:::caused
>:::carbon fouled plugs). a quick and dirty way to go would be to simply
ask
>:::the mechanic to install new spark plugs (plugs are cheap, the job is
>:::quick, and the available favorite brand of the mechanic will do -
nothing
>:::fancy like platinum necessary - i've had terrific luck with ordinary
>:::autolite plugs in our '84). a good mechanic can "read" the spark plugs
>:::and
>:::tell a great deal about the engine.
>:::
>:::anyway, i am REALLY curious about what is going on.
>:::
>:::have a cozy time in the north country.
>:::
>:::best wishes,
>:::
>:::dan