I guess I was in "Vanagon" mode :-)       I designed Railroad track renewal machinery for about 40 years so I am familiar with large engines and oil capacities but somehow I didn't switch modes.     Steve

On Jan 18, 2014, at 11:19 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> The Cat C7 engine in my RV takes 20 quarts plus the filters. Many truck engines take 44 or even more. 
> 
> Dennis, 
> From my phone.
> From: Steve Cotsford
> Sent: ‎1/‎18/‎2014 10:50 AM
> To: Dennis Haynes
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
> 
> 5 gallons of oil in your engine ??     I know the US gallon tends to be smaller than the Imperial gallon but not that much smaller.    I feel sure you meant to say quarts LOL   :-)       Steve
> 
> On Jan 18, 2014, at 10:04 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> > Every now and then I get a chuckle thinking back to the days when many now
> > experts couldn't recognize or spell Vanagon. If there is one fault with the
> > auto repair industry it is the number of folks that learned strictly on the
> > job with very little in the way available to test or certify technicians. It
> > is not just Vanagon owners that have trouble getting "competent" work
> > performed. When I bought my motor home back in 2004 it took almost a year to
> > get reliable headlights. I replaced the headlight switch myself. I had the
> > dealer do the first valve adjustment. Ended up with a leaking valve cover
> > gasket and that was a $400 plus job. Had dealer in Florida do an oil change
> > once. They tried to charge me 11 gallons of Mobil Delvac 1. My engine only
> > takes 5.  Had a customer bring me a Toyota with a "pinging" problem. Another
> > shop replaced the head. Turned out it wasn't ping but piston slap. Common
> > problem on these engines. Guy paid $3k for the head job and still really
> > needed an engine. That was a fun court event. That shop ended up paying me
> > to replace the engine. The fun goes on.
> > 
> > When things go wrong many want the quick fix. Adjustments never fix
> > anything. All changes in operation revolve around something failing. As
> > these vans are getting old we have to include the wiring as a common
> > problem. But symptoms should always be diagnosed. Don't just "clean the
> > grounds". Which ground? Is it the wire or the connector? Is where a bunch of
> > connectors are tied together? Find the problem, then fix. Don't just unplug
> > the O2 sensor. What does it do? When is it looked at? You won't fix a no
> > start with that one. If the input lead is shorted you won't know until you
> > get the meter. In 25+ years and 150+ Vanagons I've changed 2 air flow
> > meters. Both were opened and tampered with. They really don't go bad. Even
> > if worn they really do so little the engine controls compensate if the O2
> > system is working.
> > 
> > The vanagon engine control system really is an easy one. Just a few quirks
> > with the O2 sensor but overall it works very well. Most often running
> > problems turn out to be something past the controls. Bad valves, worn
> > guides, rings, etc. will make more grief then the controls.
> > 
> > Dennis
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> > Jim Felder
> > Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 7:12 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
> > 
> > Dennis, are you saying he ISN'T???
> > 
> > LOL I know I am! We have a great shop in town and they call me! Happened
> > today.
> > 
> > Jim
> > 
> > 
> > On Fri, Jan 17, 2014 at 5:11 PM, Dennis Haynes
> > <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:
> > 
> >> Some of us are just waiting for you to go into the Vanagon repair
> > business!
> >> 
> >> Dennis
> >> 
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >> Behalf Of Steve Cotsford
> >> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 1:17 PM
> >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >> Subject: Re: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
> >> 
> >> Seems like I can be amusing to some :-)   Glad to be of service LOL
> > Enjoy
> >> it while it lasts ;-)  Steve
> >> 
> >> On Jan 17, 2014, at 12:29 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
> >> wrote:
> >> 
> >>> No end of challenging problems between you and Steve Cotsford and
> >>> his Bluestar!  The list would be boring without you.
> >>> 
> >>> Is this the one you've replaced the distributor on? Revisit that
> >>> first, wires second, injectors third. Stumbling under load is
> >>> usually a spark or fuel problem.  I just had a similar problem and
> >>> the coil secondary wire was badly corroded at the coil.  Clean and
> >>> spray them all
> >> with a little WD-40.
> >>> 
> >>> Stuart
> >>> 
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >>> Behalf Of JRodgers
> >>> Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 7:23 PM
> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>> Subject: Volksiebus - 88 Transporter - Rough Running Engine
> >>> 
> >>> Rough engine - the latest pita I'm having to deal with on a string
> >>> of
> >> many!!
> >>> I'm on a roll!!
> >>> 
> >>> Ok - hot or cold - engine starts and idles well.
> >>> 
> >>> Conditions - ISV disconnected due to Idle issues
> >>> O2 Sensor Disconnected to put ECU in default mode.
> >>> 
> >>> Cold engine: starts easily, idles easily, but upon attempted
> >>> acceleration it bucks, kicks, snorts, hiccups, coughs - finally
> >>> smoothing
> >> out at speed.
> >>> 
> >>> Warm engine: starts easily, idles easily, but upon attempted
> >>> acceleration it bucks, kicks, snorts, hiccups, coughs - finally
> >>> smoothing
> >> out at speed.
> >>> Only the bucking isn't quite so bad. Occurs mostly on the initial
> >>> acceleration after idling successful.
> >>> 
> >>> Suspicion: Throttle body switches out of limits and need adjusting.
> >>> 
> >>> Anyone have any ideas about this?
> >>> 
> >>> Thanks,
> >>> 
> >>> John
> >> 
>