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Subject:Re: 83 Vanagon stalling UPDATE
From:Tom Young
Date:Wed, 22 Oct 1997 09:10:26 -0700

On Wed, 22 Oct 1997 falsone_jesse@ADVMAR.COM wrote:

> Here is an update on my stalling problems with my 1983 Vanagon (air-cooled,
> non-calif)
>
> Note - 80-83 air cooled, non-california Vanagons don't have an O2 sensor
> to the best of my knowledge (sources include owners manual and Bentley
> exhaust  schematic)

That's correct.

> The tentative conclusion I have reached is that the fuel pressure regulator is
> defective.

In my case, when my fuel pressure regulator failed I was running LEAN as
my fuel pressure was too low.  For about $14 you can make a perfectly
good fuel pressure gauge (see archives or email me) and test the FPR
directly instead of shelling out ~$60.

> Before ordering this part, I plan to check the #2 Temp sensor (suggested by
> Darrell Boehler)

Yes, and the #1 temp sensor at the same time.

> and the idle position switch (calif only?) (suggested by Ken
> Lewis).

My Cal '81 sure doesn't have one.

> 2) Is there a way to adjust the CO without a CO meter?

The "Bosch Fuel Injection and Engine Management" book says "... adjust
the mixture for the leanest setting that provides a smooth idle, then
enrich the mixture an additional 1/4 turn.  Test drive and check for
surging at part throttle, if so, enrich 1/4 turn at a time until the
surging disappears."

> I don't have a cat converter (removed by PO), so I'm guessing I'm already
> running very high.  Which way do you turn the screw to make it lean?

Clockwise.  You might be running too high for smog without a catalytic
converter, but that doesn't mean you're running too high for the basic
mixture adjustment.  The best bet is to use a CO meter.

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