I just went through the same issue on my '82 Westy. Turned out to be dirty
fuel injectors. I had them cleaned at a diesel injection repair shop and the
problem disappeared.

Ken

On Wednesday, September 09, 1998 8:12 PM, Sudhir Desai
[SMTP:cdes@WELCHLINK.WELCH.JHU.EDU] wrote:
> my uncle asked me to ask y'all
>
> his 1984 vanagon gl runs fine on level ground.. but when he starts
> climbing a hill, the engine sputters and refuses to acelerate or even
> maintain speed...
> he has an auto tranny.
>
> the repair shop hes taking it to says it has something to do with the
> timing sensor or the catalytic convertor...either way it;ll cost 1700
> bucks to replace the timing sensor.. and he doesnt want to put that much
> money into the problem...
>
> waht are your suggestions.... thanks in advance.
>
> Sudhir H. Desai                         1984 VW Vanagon 3.4 liter Chevy V-6
> cdes@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu            1996 Subaru Outback 2.2 liter
flat-4
>
> sudhir_desai@geocities.com              1997 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 liter I-6
> ICQ# 17014903 & 8255956
> http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/1889