well it's that time again. I've been through this
before
but have to work through it again. the fuel seems to
cut out at seemingly random times.

I tried to do some archive searches about my questions
but on dial-up that is very frustrating.

My Westy is an 84 1.9L
manufactured 12/83; I also have an extra
Vanagon manufactured 11/83 that I've mostly
finished parting out and using for spares.

but something is cutting off the fuel seemingly
at random. first symptoms appeared on rainy
days but we've had a lot of those and I don't
think an exposed wire getting moist is the
culprit because the symptoms started again
on a warm sunny day this weekend.

Checked so far -

all grounds cleaned, di-electric greased, sealed
with wire-dryer spray.

fuel filter changed.

temp-sensor II - about two years old. but
van can run perfectly when fully warmed for
long periods, then start the herky-jerkys.
previous experience with this sensor going
bad was much different but I guess still
possible. haven't tested it with slowly
warming water yet.

fuel pump relays - seem solid. have had
these cause this problem in the past, detectable
when ever hitting a bump in the road. also
when the inside of the relay rattles a little bit.
swapped one out anyway, no change.

fuel pump - pressurizes normally on
start up. I never hear it make the re-pressurization
sound again after that. but it is the original
pump ... 24 years, 250K miles...

so question 1 - what are the symptoms
of a fuel pump going bad?

fuel pressure regulator - I could test this, I
have in the past with the little port at the
fuel-line T, but testing for this is...what
if when I test it, everything is working just
exactly perfect? I wouldn't think a regulator
problem would be so random.

the coil - actually swapped this out for
other reasons. an educational experience
I will write about in another post, perhaps
it will help someone else. no change in symptoms.

ahhh, the air sensors - I can test these with
the box off, per Bentley, and all tests show
correctly. again testing can only reveal
so much - sometimes the van runs perfectly
for 20 minutes at a time. what if I am
testing when the sensor arm is on the right spot?

so question 2 - what are the symptoms of
these sensors flaking out?

I'm leaning towards just replacing the
air sensors. unfortunately I already gave away
my extra air box I think, can't find my extra
one anywhere. but at $150 and several days
shipping, I keep hoping I can find something
simpler to try next.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com