Check the fuel filter for water or just general gunk. My van went ffrom running great to running lousy in a short time, AND picked up a loud, worrying drone. I was afraid it was the fuel pump in its death throes, but one look at the filter told me otherwise! It was full of something dark grey, and lumpy...

  A new filter got rid of the noise, and fixed the runnig issues.

PHIL MURPHY <phil.murphy@SHAW.CA> wrote:
  Question for you all.
My '81 Westy has been running superbly all through our recent cold snap, until this morning. When I went out this morning, it started up fine, but once in gear it ran poorly. In order to make any progress, I had to keep it in lower gears, and rev much higher than normal. After a few minutes, life returned to normal.

However, after about 20 minutes of driving, I shut down for a short while, and the problem returned upon starting again. I lost almost all power on _any_ hill, was getting regular backfiring, and finally had to park it and catch a ride.

There is a new sound coming from the rear of the van, perhaps engine area, don't think it's the gas heater fan, as it's turned off. It is not the rectifier/alternator, as I have recently repaired that, and am getting good voltage.

I'm stumped, and have checked the archives. I'm going to have it towed to our local gurus, but was wondering if any of you have an idea as to what may have caused this strange, sudden change in behaviour, from a previously perfectly running van.

Thanks for any advice,
Phil

Evan Mac Donald

1984 Wolfburg
1985 GL 7 Pass.
1991 Carat Weekender
1972 Chevy P/U
1993 Bonneville