All this talk of bad accelerator cables encouraged me to pay attention
to mine.  Felt "notchy" and made me worry about it breaking.  Ordered a
new one.  Replaced it this evening before it got dark.  About a 15
minute job.

The old one looked ok save for a large-radius kink near the engine end,
and most of the small plastic sheath was missing.  Where did it go?  The
ribbed boot at the engine end was in tatters as well.  A note on the
tattered boot, it actually caused the throttle to stick open once on the
freeway in Portland, exciting.

Lubed the linkage up front and replaced the decaying short fuel-hose
union between chassis and cable sheaths.  New cable smooth as silk.  I
love quick, easy, tangible repairs.

Will save the old one for a spare since the actual cable is in good
condition.

Anyway thanks for bringing up the subject and giving me inspiration to
fix it.  I noted to myself that I'm now of the age where I fix stuff
before it breaks rather than waiting for it to break and dealing with
the hassle.

Gregory Smith
'88 Vanagon GL
'87 Bertone X1/9

Smith Design Studio
Small Building Company
Olympia, WA
360-239-0429
gregoryfsmith.com