I had the same problem with my 87', made worse in wet weather;  cleaning up
the grounds and adding a ground to the air flow meter eliminated the problem
altogether.

yann buchanan
87 wolfsberg
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Davis" <OuiSki1@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 2:39 PM
Subject: Problems heading NORTH

> dear listees-
>
> [Thanks for response regarding 20W-50 oil in the northland last week! That
> turned out to be the least of our worries on our journey from SC to MN
this
> week].
>
> With no major problems from SC to IL, it was not a shock to start noticing
a
> jerking, sort of hic-uping just south of Chi-town. Seems whenever we'd
fill
> up, the problem would go away until around half to a quarter full. Smooth
> cruising around 70 m.p.h. was still managable even after the "bucking"
> started, as long as there was load on the engine and I kept it up over
4000
> rpms. As soon as the rpms dropped to between 3000 to 4000, the bucking
would
> start (almost like being out of gas or a bad fuel filter [which I just
> replaced]). After pulling off the interstate, running at slower rpms to
the
> filling station, the engine would just purr- totally smooth and steady!  I
> added a bottle of HEAT at one point, and a bottle of injector cleaner at
> another, but this after filling up and I think it is the full tank that
> temporarily fixed the problem, not the additives. My thoughts are: loose
> plug/ wire, (checked that, OK).  Corosion in the gas tank blocking the
fuel
> line??  Bad relay switch?? (but that would make it run badly at ALL rpms).
> Faulty whatever the name is for the engine management computer??
>
> Other than both our rear CV joints going out in Janesville, WI (thank God
> there was a VW dealership there!!) It was a great trip, and we're really
> (NOT) looking forward to the drive back!
>
> Any and all thoughts would be very welcome, and Thanks again!
>
> Happy Holidays,
>
> Scott and Candis
> [Roxi  '88 Westy]
>
> ** HI TO DON AT VINTAGE!!  ...WHAT WERE YOU SAYING ABOUT "NO GAURENTEES"
!?!
>   :))