>
>On Wed, 8 Jul 1998 22:21:49 -0700
>mac stricklen <mac_stricklen@YAHOO.COM> wrote
>
>
>>I briefly test drove an '84 vanagon this afternoon and am hoping to
>>drive it again later with a stop at the mechanic's this time to have
>>it looked over.  IN the meantime, I've got a question--
>
>>I noticed some power fade on hills and even though it started not
>>problem the first time, it was hesitant to start again right after
>>being shut off.  The current owner says that both of these problems
>>are related to a loss of fuel pressure due to the gas tank needing to
>>be replaced.  Any truth to this?

No so.
The fade on hills can be caused by the following:-
Incorrect use of gears - keep the revs going
Underpowered engine 2.0 litre is recommended
Poor compression e.g. worn piston rings - check the mileage - is it
high?
Incorrect timing - does the engine backfire?

The gas tank is unlikely to be the problem.
A blocked filler cap can cause a vacuum in the tank and gas starvation
but you would notice not just on hills.
Check that the breather hole in the cap is clear using a small pin.

Lots of Vanagons start first time then have a problem when warming up.
Its the automatic choke.
To start, keep the gas pedal down to the floor, turn on the starter and
when the engine starts, ease back of the gas pedal and then on - off  -
on - off - on until you find the 'sweet spot' where the revs are OK and
after 10 seconds, you should be on your way

Remember that Vanagons are built for comfort not for speed.

You can read about VW engines and other web links at my website

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~mpages/

Read 'Poohs Diary' - all about my VW Holdsorth Villa conversion camper.