Most likely it's ignition wiring/coil problem. Something similar happened
to my 84 Vanagon years ago. Wait until sunset and dark. Start the engine
and look for jumping sparks around the terminals on the coil and distributor.
It will be easy to spot when it's dark. Clean the inside of the distributor
cap. It may be arcing inside.

Of course it can be caused by many other problems too. But ignition is easier
to check.

David

--- Doug Ezell <dtezellmd@BRESNAN.NET> wrote:

> OK, folks, please help me out with this one.  I have an '89 westy syncro,
> just turned over 100,000 miles.
>
> Shortly after filling up w/ gas (this has happened this way before), the
> previously beautifully running engine begins to lose power, nothing happens
> when I give it some gas w/ the accelerator.  Then, a few seconds later, it
> kicks in and works great.  Runs off and on like that for a while.  Yesterday
> I "fixed" it by turning off the engine and restarting it.  That worked great
> and no more problems.
>
> Today, it did the same thing, only worse.  Eventually it wouldn't run at
> all.  I tried something someone told me to do once.....disconnect the green
> wire which resides under the ignition coil (not the green wire coming out of
> the coil, of course.)  Then it ran fantastic.
>
> When all this happens, I must say it is quite disconcerting out in the
> middle of Montana, not a residence in sight, the wife's sighs getting louder
> by the minute!!
>
> Is this an electrical or fuel problem?  Oxygen sensor ?(replacing that
> worked once, but only about 3000 miles ago.) ?Idle stabilizer valve?
>
> Any advice I'll appreciate.
>
> Thanks!!
> Doug in Montana
>

____________________________________________________________________________________
Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection.
http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/norton/index.php