>
>My hunch, again, is that these delays were built into the ECU/O2 system to
>please consumers by making the vans run smoother at a time when gas cost .75
>per gallon or thereabouts.

I doubt that, since Germans designed the engine with German issues in
mind.  Westies aside, the Vanagon was made for the German market and
then exported.  It was an extremely popular van in Germany for both
personal and commercial transportation.  For a van-style vehicle, its
mileage was not out of line with others of the time.  In the 1980's
and 90's gasoline in Germany cost about four times more than in the
U.S., but we're catching up now (somewhat).  When I was there in July
of this year it was running about five and a half dollars a gallon
(considering the rate of exchange.)

Charles
'85 Westy