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Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:17 pm

i have an 87 vanagon gl automatic 2.1 . the van seems to hesitate almost every time i step on the gas. to make it catch up, i gotta back off and on the pedal a few times and it will go, then around 40 to 50 mph it starts to loose power again. i've read a lot of posts on here about it being the cat or o2 sensor. here's the trick to my van, it doesn't have either one. it has a full custom exhaust with just a mini resinator muffler and 4 chrome tips. the van ran great until a few weeks ago. i've just put plugs, cap, rotor, air filter, oil change, fuel filter and i cleaned the throttle body and flushed the coolant and changed the thermostat. the problem started a few days after i changed the fuel filter, the last thing i did to it. please give me some ideas of things to try.

thanks,
Marc

Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:23 pm

could be a bad filter. Sounds hard to believe but I have bought cheapo FLAPS filters and they just plain didnt work. Recheck the filter. If that doesnt work start looking into the temp sensors. but mine did that same thing right after I changed the filter and it turned out it was leaking arounf the fitting at the filter. Only did it with the pump running though and didnt notice it while i was driving. So i had to start it and slide underneath to catch it.

Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:44 pm

How old are the plug wires and the coil?

I had a stumbling and hesitation problem under load. It was the 2 year old plug wires.

I replaced fuel filter, cap, rotor, coil, plugs, then finally the wires. I figured they were so new couldn't be them, Wrong !

Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:50 pm

Sounds like the Throttle Switch is sticking on. Bliping the throttle can make it unstick. Try unplugging the connector and see if it goes away. A new one can be had from various online sources like:
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=1870592475
Adjust it so:
Here is a quick run down on what to do:

Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:29 pm

about 2 weeks ago i finally got to fixing my problem. since i was doing the brakes i figured i would tackle this problem too. i cleaned all the grease and dirt off the tps, and went to adjust it, and magically the problem is gone. plus my gas mileage greatly improved too. now i've ordered my new exhaust, which included a brand new cat and o2, i'll be running good as or better then new thanks to all of your help.

Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:34 pm

Mookman62 wrote: i have an 87 vanagon gl automatic 2.1 . the van seems to hesitate almost every time i step on the gas. to make it catch up, i gotta back off and on the pedal a few times and it will go, then around 40 to 50 mph it starts to loose power again. i've read a lot of posts on here about it being the cat or o2 sensor. here's the trick to my van, it doesn't have either one. it has a full custom exhaust with just a mini resinator muffler and 4 chrome tips. the van ran great until a few weeks ago. i've just put plugs, cap, rotor, air filter, oil change, fuel filter and i cleaned the throttle body and flushed the coolant and changed the thermostat. the problem started a few days after i changed the fuel filter, the last thing i did to it. please give me some ideas of things to try.

thanks,
Marc

Your problem... could be one of about 40 different problems

Sorry. But i see those everyday.

But, i can tell you that it's probably fuel delivery related. If you never have that problem a low sped or idle, it's NOT electric.

Ben