I'm going with bad o2 sensor.  Is the inside of your tailpipe real sooty?

Karl Wolz
Sent from my electronic umbilicus

On Jan 24, 2013, at 11:04 AM, Craig Cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> This is the non zetec van.
> Hoses are in stock position.
> Bleeder valve closed.
> 
> Yes, It's cold here in western PA, but not unreasonably so. About 15*F
> today.
> 
> -Craig
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> If possible, can you pull over and get a reading with an infrared gun
>> after temp gauge drops?
>> 
>> I'd suggest confirming coolant temps at-near the temp sensors.
>> 
>> Disconnect the O2. See if fuel efficiency changes.  Check that the O2
>> signal wire isn't shorting to the outer ground sheathing.
>> 
>> a few images of those wires starting here:
>> https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy#5748856721901671282
>> 
>> Neil.
>> 
>> On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 9:26 AM, Craig Cowan <phishman068@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Hello Gang!
>>> My '90 GL (Automatic) is giving me troubles.
>> 
>>> I had previously had a problem with the temp gauge never rising above 1/3
>>> on the gauge and it wouldn't make good heat. Of course I had a bad dash
>>> blower, so wasn't all that sure on the heat.
>>> Gas mileage was always bad. 14mpg max.
>>> Well last weekend I finally replaced the thermostat and things were
>> looking
>>> good! The temp gauge would now read right in the middle, and with the new
>>> dash blower as well, i now had heat!
>>> But surprisingly, the gas mileage suffered still.
>>> Yesterday I filled up and found I had gotten 10.5mpg on that tank.
>>> 
>>> Today I did some highway driving. This bus runs like a champ! Seriously
>>> good power, however I now see that the temp gauge will drop all the way
>> to
>>> the bottom if I cruise at anything above 60mph. Anything below 50mph will
>>> maintain the temp gauge right in the middle, where it should be.
>>> I've never seen this happen. Any ideas?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Neil n
>> 
>> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>> 
>> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
>> 
>> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>> 
>> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>> 
>> 
>> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>>