> My question is:  What is the airflow meter and what does it do?  My 84
> Vanagon has been sluggish in 1st and 2nd gear, has problems holding an idle
> (at least until well warmed up), and is blowing all sorts of blue smoke. 
> It pooped out before I could get it to my VW mechanic so it's with someone
> who doesnt really know VW's.  He thinks it's the airflow meter 
> (yikes...big bucks!).  My regular mechanic thinks it might be the idle
> control box.
> Also, could the cold weather have an exacerbating effect??

The airflow meter measures the amount of air the engine is demanding and 
sends that information (in the form of a voltage) to the computer, which 
adjusts the length of time fuel is injected.  If the airflow meter is 
damaged or worn out it can obviously affect the car's performance.  
Although the airflow meter is not supposed to be servicable, it is, to a 
certain extent.

(Blue smoke suggests oil burning.  Black smoke suggests too rich a 
mixture.  Is the smoke blue or black?)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Young               young@sherlock.SIMS.Berkeley.EDU
Lafayette, CA  94549    '81 Vanagon
---------------------------------------------------------------------