Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: '88 Westy Vacuum leak diagnosis input
From:OlRivrRat
Date:Mon, 9 Sep 2024 13:26:02 -0600

Why will You need a flatbed if the van is in Your driveway,,, Put new belts

on it start it up & see if it is OK ~

        That was shot from the hip > Would be good idea to check H2O Pump &

Alternator to be sure they spin OK before new belts ~

> On 8 Sep , 2024, at 10:23 PM, Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Howdy Eric-
> Thanks for asking.
> Unfortunately, though, this has now become just one more issue on an
> expanding list....
> 
> Coming home today, I lost power steering just as the alternator warning and
> OXS warning lights came on.
> That feeling of dread instantly set in. Since I was only a couple blocks
> from the house, I decided just to get it home.
> As I feared, when I got out of the van I immediately smelled coolant, and
> found a puddle forming under the engine bay.
> And you guessed it, I also found a shredded V-belt and the two other belts
> thrown.
> 
> Looks like another flatbed trip is in our future tomorrow . . .
> 
> -Matt
> 
> On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 3:52 PM Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> Hi matt,
>> 
>> 
>>      I was wondering if you have any updates on your running issue.
>> 
>> Hope you have found success.
>> 
>> Eric Caron
>> 
>> 
>>> On Sep 3, 2024, at 12:12 PM, Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 2.1L WB
>>> I'm working with my mechanic on this one, but since he doesn't have a
>> smoke
>>> machine, I'm trying to narrow down potential problem points.
>>> 
>>> Noticed it was running rough a while back, initially thought it was a
>>> timing/misfire issue.
>>> New plugs, cap, rotor, ignition wires all needed to happen anyway, but
>>> didn't have an impact.
>>> 
>>> A couple interesting points:
>>> - Noticing a sucking sound coming from the general area of the airflow
>>> sensor.
>>> - It runs rough every time I start up, but eventually smoothes out after
>>> idling for a few minutes.
>>> - The sucking/whistling sound seems to be related because it subsides
>>> (mostly) concurrent to the idle smoothing out.
>>> 
>>> At first I thought it might be an intake hose crack, and that increased
>>> temp would cause a temporary expansion / seal, but that doesn't seem to
>> be
>>> it since it happens on every startup, even after everything is warm.
>>> 
>>> Anyone else experienced this before?
>>> Any tips on where to look?
>>> 
>>> *Matt*
>>> Missoula, MT
>>> '88 Westy, *Ragnar LoafBrick*
>> 
>>