me again... a couple points i forgot to throw in there:

someone mentioned we could bang on the catalytic converter to see if that
would unplug something... is this a good idea?

also, we aren't seeing the black smoke even though there is still the
bucking/lurching thing.  i do believe we are still getting rather poor gas
mileage though.  just more info to add to the diagnosis, please.

thanks again!  jes

On Thu, Nov 10, 2011 at 8:37 AM, jes poynter <clementineintwilight@gmail.com
> wrote:

> and good morning from san carlos, sonora!
>
> it's only a 2 hour drive or so from hermosillo but we made it.
>
> after changing the fuel filter, the type of gas, the temp sensors,
> cleaning the grounds, checking the coolant system for any air/making sure
> there was adequate coolant and reconnecting the O2 sensor we took it out on
> the road.
>
> it seemed to be running amazingly, no lurching/bucking any of that as we
> drove out of town.  the only things was the temp arrow on the dash
> continuing to rise.  the blinking light ceased for a little while.  we're
> thinking it's because the fan does not seem to be working.
>
> but then as we were on the highway and started going faster, the bucking
> started again.  i tried cycling the ignition and it didn't help at all.
> also, while driving the idle would go a little nuts as in down and then
> back up, which i think may have something to do with the throttle switch or
> air idle valve (?).  it seemed worse at certain times and then better.
> actually as we went pretty fast, it stopped for a bit and then returned.
> as did the blinking temp light.
>
> i have some tips on how to check/fix the fan as well as adjusting the
> throttle switch, i believe.  i've also noticed a very slow drip of oil :(
>
> so folks, as i continue in my own research, if anyone is willing to
> elaborate more specifically on the fan and the throttle or any other ideas
> that come to mind, i'm open!
>
> i'm also wanting to continue our search for other vw owners around here so
> i'll do that as we find a delicious lunch in a few hours.  but, tell me, if
> we keep driving this way, what kind of damage am i doing?  in particular,
> what's up with the oil dripping?
>
> as always, my gratitude for your knowledge and efforts grows.  thank you
> so much for the help.
>
> jes
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 9, 2011 at 11:36 AM, jes poynter <
> clementineintwilight@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> good morning again all,
>>      so here's the scoop with our situation:
>>
>> i have replaced the fuel filter and now am using the premium gas here in
>> mexico, as recommended by a few of you as well as a few people here.
>>
>> we are cleaning all the grounds, only that one important one under the
>> a/c compressor that is the most difficult to reach.  i just got an extender
>> to do so.
>>
>> i have replaced both temperature sensors.
>>
>> now what's happening is the gas/bucking thing seems to be mellowing out.
>> yet the temperature light on the dash is blinking and the arrow is going
>> all the way up.  my concern is that the temp sensor II i got here is
>> actually for the other temp sensor... they aren't the same part, correct?
>> in our van, the temp sensor II (the one on the left of the thermostat
>> housing) is a square plug and the other (the one behind the thermostat
>> housing if one is standing from the back looking at the motor) is a
>> circular plug.  can someone please confirm that they are two different
>> parts and that i may have the incorrect one for the temp sensor II?  or
>> confirm that they are essentially the same thing and what else may be being
>> triggered, insofar as why the temp light is blinking and why the arrow is
>> shooting sky high?
>>
>> another thing i'm noticing is that i am not hearing the fan working any
>> longer.  i noticed this a couple of days ago.  sorry to have not mentioned
>> it until now.  i feel like it stopped after another mechanic looked at the
>> radiator.  can i get some steps to fixing that also please?
>>
>> next, the idle is still a bit nuts.  i'm going to try disconnecting the
>> air idle valve but am still trying to figure out how to adjust the timing.
>> seems like an easy thing but i'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as i've
>> mentioned.
>>
>> finally, should i go ahead and reconnect the oxygen sensor since we're
>> pretty sure it wasn't acting up?
>>
>> i'll be looking all this up too on my own, via the bentley and the
>> internet.  but i'm reaching out just the same.  thanks so much for all the
>> help!  we're hoping to go south at least a little today ? :)
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 8, 2011 at 6:57 AM, jes poynter <
>> clementineintwilight@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> good morning all,
>>>
>>>      have been given some good suggestions about our problem(s) and
>>> although i am concerned about having explained the issues corrrectly, it
>>> seem that we've been able to rule out some things.
>>>
>>>      we disconnected the oxygen sensor, which was the most common
>>> suggestion, and the problem still occurs.  so we're going with that it
>>> probably is not that.
>>>
>>>      it's been suggested, more than once to replace the temp sensor II
>>> which, if my research is correct is not the coolant tem sensor but a
>>> cylinder temp sensor.  if any one is willing to elaborate more on this, for
>>> example how i can determine which one we would need (i believe it is either
>>> a square or a round one) it would be appreciated.
>>>
>>>      i feel as though i've checked all the hoses and everything seems to
>>> be connected fine.  i'm going to be cleaning the grounds this morning as i
>>> had to get some supplies for that task.
>>>
>>>      a couple of things i've noticed to add to the concerns are that
>>> when we start it up now, the idle is way high.  and just sitting, it goes
>>> all crazy jerky up and down.  another thing, we had cleaned out the AMF and
>>> found a little oil.  it was mentioned that a little oil in the intake was
>>> normal and nothing to be concerned about... then when i was underneath the
>>> engine, there is what seems to be fresh oil on the bottom.  perhaps i am
>>> just really naive and this is the way the engine is, with little bits of
>>> oil covering and seeping out.  maybe it's just dirty from all the gas being
>>> burned out.  at least it's not a big leak, right?  but i though i'd throw
>>> it out there at least to have my concerns dismissed.
>>>
>>>      i'm feeling a little overwhelmed, as if there are so many things to
>>> check and so many issues appearing.  so i am mostly writing to inquire
>>> about the damage we may do should we continue to drive in this state.
>>> we've been in one place for 2 weeks and things aren't really changing.
>>> we'd like to get back on the road and attempt to continue to resolve the
>>> issues and better the engine in general as we go.  is this a bad move?  i
>>> certainly don't want to do more damage.
>>>
>>>      thanks for everyone's time and efforts, they are very much
>>> appreciated.  i'll look forward to further education from all of you.  be
>>> well.  jes
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Nov 6, 2011 at 12:22 PM, jes poynter <
>>> clementineintwilight@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> hello all,
>>>>
>>>>      this is my first email and i am new not only to the community but
>>>> also to working on my vw :)  i will do my best to be accurate and
>>>> informed.
>>>>
>>>>      we have been having issues with a lot of black smoke/gas burning
>>>> as well as the hesitating and bucking that seems to be so common with the
>>>> vanagons.  we have had the fuel injectors cleaned, the coolant system
>>>> checked out and have replaced the AMF most recently with the problem still
>>>> occurring.  we have had a friend here in the community send out our problem
>>>> to you all yesterday and received the suggestions he was given regarding
>>>> disconnecting the oxygen sensor and also cleaning the ground on the left
>>>> cylinder head, both the connections and where it goes onto, as well as
>>>> cleaning the distributor cap.
>>>>
>>>>      i do apologize but i need to ask for your patience and expertise
>>>> here.  i am more than willing to learn how to work on this myself and do
>>>> have a copy of our manual.  however i am writing for guidance and
>>>> elaboration on the above suggestions.
>>>>
>>>>      in regards to the 1st suggestion of disconnecting the oxygen
>>>> sensor, we did so at the connector and the problem seemed to persist during
>>>> a test drive.  i read elsewhere "Disconnect the Oxygen sensor wire and see
>>>> if that does not correct the condition. It is the green wire on the extreme
>>>> left side of the engine compartment."  and am wondering if this is a good
>>>> next step.  so i went out to take a look and am just not sure which one is
>>>> the correct wire.  additionally, there seems to be one wire already
>>>> disconnected, though it is a green and yellow/white wire with a yellow
>>>> rectangular blade terminal (i think) at the disconnected end. is this
>>>> supposed to be disconnected?  is this the wire to the oxygen sensor already
>>>> disconnected?  if not, what is it and do i let it be?
>>>>
>>>>      in regards to the 2nd suggestion, the easy part of cleaning the
>>>> distributor cap i checked up on and it is very clean.  the portion i am
>>>> having more difficulty with is knowing exactly where to go to clean the
>>>> ground on the left cylinder head.  i honestly don't know where it is.  i
>>>> apologize but am genuinely asking to learn from anyone willing to teach me
>>>> here in the community.  a picture or a place in the manual to look for the
>>>> picture would be very helpful to me as reference.  and again my gratitude
>>>> for your patience.
>>>>
>>>>      i realize i can continue to look up pictures of these parts and
>>>> glean info that way, which i will do, but i am reaching out as i have been
>>>> dealing with this issue intensely for almost 2 weeks, working with other
>>>> mechanics and not getting very far, literally as i am traveling with my
>>>> family in m�xico but we haven't driven anywhere in days.
>>>>
>>>>      additionally, i should mention, i have been learning about the
>>>> "vanagon syndrome" and researching the fix with the capacitor/transformer
>>>> part and do see the options available there; i just don't want to have to
>>>> wait on a part another week if there are options to check.  i want to at
>>>> least be active in attempting to understand the issue and learning about
>>>> the engine.  i have been reminded that i can learn to fix these issues
>>>> myself with the help of those who know and are willing, as well as my own
>>>> motivation.  if there are any other specific questions i can answer for
>>>> anyone who is interested in helping me resolve this, i'll gladly do so, of
>>>> course.  and i think it should be stated that any other suggestions are
>>>> most welcome.
>>>>
>>>>      thanks!   jes
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>