Hello everyone,

I own a 86 Westfalia with a 4 speed transmission, no AC. I just came
accross this mailing list and hope to get some advise after several
mechanics were unable to come up with a solution to my vans problem. Here
it goes:
While driving at relatively low speeds (10 .. 30 Miles / hour),and with
RPM's at between 1000 and 2500, particularly in stop and go traffic in a
traffic jam, the Vanagon starts to buck and jerk.  The bucking becomes
gradually more violent if I just keep the car rolling at low power or even
coasting in idle. The jerking can be stopped either by stepping on the
clutch (engine goes into idle immediately, running smoothly, does not
stall) or by accelerating.
I have had the car in the shop several times, but all attempts to solve the
problems failed. Some of the things done: new spare plugs,new spare plug
wires, distributor cap and rotor, fuel filter replaced, timing adjusted
(helped a little), replaced air flow meter with a used one from the junk
yard (same problem) and the PVC hose, O2 sensor and idle speed motor has
been replaced.
One shop detected a poor signal from the throttle switch and subsequently
installed a new switch (switch kit), cleaned the idle stabilizer and
detected that one injector sprayed irregulalry. Added a bottle of Techron,
no change.
The VW dealer suggested that there might be a  problem with the clutch. Of
course, this can only be confirmed by pulling the transmission (expensive
test). To me it seems unlikely to be the clutch as I do not have any
problems shifting and also there are no other symptoms while driving which
would point to the clutch. There is never a problem at normal driving
(except slight jerking can be noticed when not driving under heavy load),
accelerating or at high speeds, again only when going at low speeds with no
or only little load.

I have read the articles in the archives about the wiring harness, but the
problems discribed there indicate that those problems occur at high speeds
with power loss. Could the problem be related still?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Bruno

P.S. I just purchased a set of original rear VW mud-flaps in Europe (the
same used on the Transporter or Sychro, I belive), but they did not come
with an installation guide. Is there anyone who has some experience in
installing them?