I would start by checking the ignition system. The cap, rotor, and wires are
the primary suspects. The 1.9L engine had a distributor cap with the metal
interference shield. Dirt and road salt can make a film from the wires to
the can making a short when wet. The alter engines used a conductive plastic
shield. The later cap can be used with the "Pin" type wires. The shield can
also be transferred to the earlier cap if you have the early wires. Later
wires often work with both styles of caps. Make sure the plugs are in good
shape and properly gapped. Make sure the top of the ignition coil is clean
and check carefully for any signs of carbon arching.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jeff Lincoln
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 6:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
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