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Subject:Re: Help! stinky exhaust
From:Joshua Van Tol
Date:Tue, 27 Apr 1999 19:23:05 -0500

>My 85 Vanagon is running rich--the exhause smells about usual but is
>much stronger than normal.  While stopped at red lights, the fumes are
>bad.
>
>To correct other problems, I have replaced the digijet, plugs, wires,
>rotor, cap.
>
>My mechanic's answer is to try higher grade gasoline.

Your mechanic is on crack. Unless the fuel is actually incorrectly
formulated (EXTREMELY RARE) or is contaminated, there's no way this could
be the problem.

>A friend suggested to replace the O2 sensor before heading to the VW
>dealer.

When dealing with a rich running fuel injected vehicle, suspect the
following items, in this order:

Temperature sensor
Bad grounds, and other bad connectors.
Fuel pressure regulator
Air flow meter
Oxygen sensor

Joshua Van Tol -- jjvantol@uswest.net