This could be a possibility. I am wondering if a clogged fuel filter
would then lower the pressure enough to cause it to run like this ? It
starts fine and idles but real rough.

-john

On 2/19/2011 4:42 PM, J Stewart wrote:
> Did you by any chance run it low of fuel? Maybe a clogged fuel filter?
> I had my '84 behave like this when I ran it real low on fuel and had
> sucked the crud in the tank into the fuel filter.   Good Luck,  jeff
>
>
> /*Jeff Stewart*/
>
>
> ----- "John Goubeaux" <john@UCSB.EDU> wrote:
>
>     I'm on the road and several hundred miles from home ( southern CA) and
>     my 90 Vanagon has begun to run bad. It is missing and has a serious
>     reduction of power when under load. It starts up and idles, but is
>     running real rough, no backfiring though. Its almost as if there is a
>     fouled plug or bad ignition on one of the cylinders Or its running way
>     too rich. I pulled the plugs and replaced them with clean
>     re-gapped ones
>     but no improvement. I inspected the plug wires and they are in good
>     shape, almost new, so I doubt this is a problem, BUT I've seen a bad
>     plug wire cause this type of behavior before. I cannot imagine that
>     timing has changed. I should be able to limp back home as once up to
>     speed the car runs OK and is not overheating and oil pressure is good.
>
>     Are there any tips on simple things I can check ( while on the
>     road) to
>     at least eliminate any other obvious possibilities?
>
>     Thanks for any suggestions!
>
>     -john
>
>