Paul, check the wires to the sparkplugs.  I have had same symptoms only to
find extensive corrosion at plus #1 and #3 where connector on plug wire
attaches to plug.

John H. Lauterbach, Ph.D., DABT
211 Old Club Court
Macon, GA 31210-4708 USA

Tel.  478-474-3027
Fax  478-474-0117
Cell  478-731-2966
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Connelly" <paul@THEMOUNTAINSUSA.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 1:50 PM
Subject: Rough Running 1.9L

Listees,

Help! We have a stranded couple with a 1.9L '85 westy who stopped by my shop
after seeing my '86 outside. I know little enough about the 2.1, but have
never looked at a 1.9. The symptoms are: Sounds like its running on 3
cylinders. Exhaust is sooty and does smell of gas. Plugs look like it has
been running a bit rich. Cap, rotor and leads seem okay. The first "switch"
on the throttle (from idle) doesn't seem to work, but the full throttle is
okay. The symptoms they felt when driving (Up Vail Pass from about 7,000' to
11,000') under load seemed to pull fine. From 11,000' down to 9,000' the
motor started "sputtering", gets worse then revs drop and motor stalls.
After a few minutes you can restart but within a few minutes back to the
sputtering and stall.
Some similar symptoms experienced a few weeks ago in Michigan, where the
fuel pump, and then the fuel pressure regulator were changed.
We are in Summit County with no VW shops/suppliers or mechanics within a 70
mile radius, but we do have my 2.1 '86 if we can swap out any parts to check
things out...
Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Paul Connelly