Thanks, Dennis. This all makes sense. 

Jim

On Nov 13, 2012, at 8:23 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> If you quickly reset the ignition does it clear up for a little while? If so
> the problem is in the o2 sensor wiring. If not then look at temp 2 sensor.
> The temps 2 sensor rarely goes bad but the plug connection to it is a real
> problem. Most sensor replacements actually are fixed by the
> disconnect-reconnect action cleaning the contacts. One side of the temp 2
> sensor goes to a ground point. Any high resistance in the wiring is an issue
> especially with this sensor being shared with the idle speed controller. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Jim Felder
> Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 9:38 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 2.1 strange running before and after head gasket repair
> 
> Not that anyone has been following this, but my daughter let the engine get
> overheated on my 91 2.1 when the Temp II sensor retaining clip broke and
> immediately emptied coolant. The head gaskets leaked and the thermostat
> housing was warped, primarily, but I had some other troubles along the way
> like a cylinder frozen to one of the heads.
> 
> Anyway, I made a mistake by letting a wire get caught under the driver side
> rubber gasket, which cases coolant to pool on top of the cylinder. I can
> take care of that. The engine, though, is exhibiting symptoms that I thought
> I would ask about.
> 
> It was doing the same things before the overheating and gasket issues, so I
> anticipate some troubleshooting will be in order when I get the gasket leak
> repaired. Before I found the head gasket leak, I was able to run it to warm
> and then drive it for three or four miles, so I can observe that the post op
> problems are the same as the pre-op problems with the exception that the
> effects of the leaks, except for the mistake on the DS rubber gasket, are
> fixed.
> 
> Here's what's going on: when I start the car, it runs great. It just purrs
> strongly and steadily, until it gets warmish and then it begins stumbling
> and issuing some black exhaust like it's running rich. If you let it idle,
> especially with it in drive and there's that little bit of extra drag, it
> will stall. It does the same thing with the O2 sensor plugged in or
> unplugged.
> 
> Any ideas?
> 
> Jim
>