On Thu, 4 Jun 1998, Philip Menchions wrote:

>  Took the van out of storage a month ago after being laid up for 5 months
> without startup (ouch). Started up O.K. RPM,s settled down quickly to the
> correct level. Very pleased to say the least. Smiled too soon :(
>
>   On the way home rev,s seemed to stay up "on their own" only dropping
> going up steep grades. Short distance from driveway decided to put the
> transmission in neutral (auto tranny) to see if rev's would drop. Well
> all hell broke loose. Tach went into the red. Much screeching from engine
> compartment and red lights all over the dash. Shut off and tried
> restarting with same result.
>
>  Initially thought the torque converter had finnally packed it in but
> started it up today without the alarming screeching/warning lights all
> over, however,the RPM's stayed steady at about 4000. Did not shift out of
> park for fear of hell breaking loose again.
>
>  I wonder if anybody has experienced these symptoms after a long period
> of storage. It seems to me that something or other must have undergone a
> "delayed seize" so to speak.
>
>  I know this has been covered often before but I had no luck getting into
> the archives. Is it working as it should? Any pointers would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Phil Menchions
> ,89 Westfalia
>
 Thanks for the many replies thus far. There was one very important thing
I neglected to mention. My wife said she saw black smoke while driving
behind.

Phil Menchions
,89 Westfalia