Perfect symptoms of a vacuum leak.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler

On Wed, 25 Aug 1999, Christopher Arnold wrote:

> After a history of engine temps hovering at the bottom of the LED w/ temps
> in the 90's, our '87 GL has decided to slowly heat up.  Coolant tanks are
> full and stable, belts are in good shape (recently replaced) and we're not
> running the A/C.   What I have noticed lust recently (about the same at the
> higher temps) is a heavy rattle which seems to be originating at the
> muffler (which is rusty and sounded semi-perforated before).  The rattle
> goes away when the engine is a little above idle.  In addition as the
> engine heats (never overheated *yet*) up engine "power" & response drops
> significantly.
> My thought...The muffler is coming apart blocking the exaust flow. In turn
> backpressure on the system keeping the cylinders from being evacuated
> completely and progressively raising engine temperatures. Sound possible?
> My other option is that the H2O pump is failing (because of a new belt??).
>
> Thanks,  Chris A.
>      '87 Vanagon GL
>      '87 Honda Accord (201k)
>      '86 Honda Civic Si (236k)
>