Perhaps excessive blow-by due to a valve seal issue? Did the engine seem
to run less smoothly, when you started it last?

On 11/8/2014 4:27 AM, Dennis Jowell wrote:
> Try Craig's VW shop in outside of Burlington .that's who I use. Fairly knowledge .
>
> Dennis Jowell
> Scotch Hollow Farm
> Newbury Vermont
>
>> On Nov 7, 2014, at 7:40 PM, Stephen Engel <sengel543@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> My background; I drive an 87 Syncro tintop with 2,000 miles on a rebuilt 2.1 WBX. Fuel tank resealed and new fuel lines run. Coolant lines replaced as well. A few hundred miles after rebuild I developed a chronic excessive vapor pressure problem in the gas tank (vent lines most likely pinched on top of the tank) that was "solved" by drilling a 1/16" hole in the gas cap. Recently upon start up the van would idle at 1,800-2,000rpm for about 2 minutes but then quiet down. Another existing problem is that the power steering pump's high pressure banjo fitting leaks due to a crack. I also have an unreliable fuel sender and ran out of gas about three weeks ago. I may have noticed a noisier fuel pump since then.
>>
>> Last night on my way home from a quick trip to Home Depot (about one mile) my van struggled to keep from stalling as if it lost vacuum or compression.
>>
>> This morning it started right up, but it revved up to ~2,200 rpm. Heard a rattle from the right head area (didn't put a stethoscope or stick on it). Noticed the usual water vapor that drips out the tail pipe was BLACK. I shut it down. The coolant looks ok and the oil on the dipstick looks ok.
>>
>> Got any ideas on what to look at this weekend? I'll probably be getting towed someplace next week, my mechanical skills and tools are basic. Any recommendations for a shop near Rutland VT? I already checked roadhaus.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Steve
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone