Thanks Evan. I've leaned away from the O2 sensor because it runs OK with it
disconnected - but the way you explain it I guess it's not out of the
question. I appreciate the information - I'll take a look at protecting that
wire better.

On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 10:35 PM, Evan Mac Donald <evanm@att.net> wrote:

> The problem on my 1.9 in my '85 was the lead from the O2 sensor. With it
> hanging
> there, in the spray area from that rear wheel, it gets treated to a forced
> shower constantly. Most vans no longer have the sheet metal shield that
> kept the
> worst of the spray effects down. And, no matter how good a job you did on
> that
> co-ax lead, its gonna get wet. Good routing , and careful sealing are all
> you
> can do. The advice with the selective spraying of WD 40 will certainly
> pinpoint
> the culprit....
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Sat, January 22, 2011 6:10:08 PM
> Subject: 1.9 Running issues when wet out
>
>  OK, I've been dealing with this for some time now. When it rains (snow
> doesn't seem to bother it) a medium to hard rain I can get about 15-20
> minutes down the road before rough running and eventually the engine just
> dies out.
>
> Cap, rotor, plug wires are all new. New Temp Sensor too (because previous
> diagnostics had proven it was a bit wonky).
>
> Everything in my gut tells me this is an electrical issue but I don't know
> for sure and even if I did I don't know where to start.
>
> When this happens if I let the bus sit for a day I can get it running again
> - but it takes a lot of messing with it - it will not idle at first, then
> it
> will run rough and stall - each attempt getting longer and longer until
> eventually I am able to keep it running and it recovers and runs fine. One
> other thing during the rough running period (when the problem starts and
> after it has sat and I am trying to get it going again) is that if I give
> it
> any gas at all it will stall immediately - eventually of course it is fine.
>
> I suspect by the way it acts after it has sat that it eventually gets
> better
> becuase whatever is wet is drying off more and more. Then again I don't
> really know anything.
>
> Any advice at all pointing me in ANY direction at this point is welcome.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
> '86 (We call this one Scrap)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'85 GL (Gertie)
'90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
'86 (We call this one Scrap)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus