In a message dated 98-05-18 15:21:43 EDT, mstretch@SPRINTMAIL.COM writes:

<<
 This weekend drove 100 miles up to Maine for camping and had hot start
problems three times. After I finally got on the Interstate, it lost power
gradually�went from 65-60-55-40, so I pulled over and turned it off. This time
it started fine, ran fine for an hour, then started hesitating or stumbling.
Friends in motorhome behind me said it would periodically send out black smoke
as though it were blowing carbon. >>

 Something silly but can be overlooked, is the intake boot just barely
connected to the air flow meter. I've seen it too many times and causes your
complaints. Clean the oil resedue off the intake boot part that connects to
the airflow meter with brake clean, tightly resecure the clamp. Later on
replace that large clamp with a Jetta , Golf intake boot clamp from a
digifant. That clamp has two little side clips to keep that intake boot from
sliding off again....... If that not the problem, I'd be looking at possible
replacing the fuel pump.    Michael M. 87 syncro.