I second checking the wires. I had a long couple of weeks bugging others
and trying differnet stuff, when the wires were bad.
One list member said to try sitting in the back seat at night with the
engine running and engine lid off and spray mist of water back there to see
if arcing alot.  Not sure if that will work  Good luck.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'
73 Beetle

On Mon, Jul 6, 2009 at 9:51 AM, Jerry <jbvelo@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Joel,
> Check all the basic stuff first
> as listed in the Bentley Service manual.
>
> Make sure that all of your components
> are good in the ignition system, primary and secondary:
>
> Coil
> Distributor
> Rotor
> Cap
> Ignition Wires *************
> Plugs
>
> Check all your ignition circuit connections:
> at the coil and at the distributor.
>
> Make sure that you have good plug wires!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
> JB 88 GL Guido
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Joel Cort
> Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 5:28 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Help with van bucking and spitting
>
> Hey gang,
>
> I'm trying to help out a buddy with a 86 2.1Ltr. Westy.
>
> The van idles great hot or cold and starts right up.
>
> While driving along all the sudden it will hicup and miss loosing all RPM
> under load. And pick right back up.
> When slowing down to take a turn and picking up speed it will buck and miss
> with some backfiring.
>
> I have checked the wiring and it all looks good. I have also checked and
> replaced the easy things like:
> New TempII sender and
> I swapped a good AFN (out of my van) AFM
> A good Idle Stabiliser relay
>
> but the symptons are still there.
>
> Any hints where and how to track this gremlin down?  I will swap the brain
> next and the O2 is new.
>
> Thanks,
>  Joel Cort
> Rochester NY.
>
> 89 Syncro Westy (CinnabarVan)
> 87 Syncro Transporter (Stella)
> 73 Westy Campmobile (agent orange)
>
>
> Founding Member of the Empire VW Camping Club
> &
> Westies at Watkins - www.westies-at-watkins.org
>