I have an '88 Vanagon totally stock 2.1 engine that has served me well for
the past 203,000 miles.  Most recent engine repair was to refurbish the
heads about 10,000 miles ago and had been running fine since.

My recent problem that started this winter is a poor idle condition when
started first thing (i.e. engine is at ambient temp).  The engine starts
fine, with idle a little over 1K and idles there for about 20 seconds and
then want to die unless I give it some throttle.  If I let it die, it
restarts just fine and runs for the 20 seconds and dies.

I can drive off at this point without problems because the RPMs are up.  My
first stoplight is about a half mile from my house and by the time I reach
that point, the engine will idle - though a little roughly at about 900
RPMs and by the time I've gone say another mile, it has pretty much settled
down to a normal idle when stopped at a light.

If I make a quick stop at a store after the engine is warmed up, it
restarts with no startup idle issues.

So - I suspect something related to a 'cold idle' system.  I've recently
changed sparkplugs and airfilter and rotor and cap have less than 5000
miles; Ignition wires are about a year old.

I'm open to suggestion for what to try next.  I'm fairly handy and of
course have a Bentley manual.

John Graham
88 Westy - Charlotte, NC

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