TheSamba.com :: View topic - Very slow take off

Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:10 am

Newbie here....first question. I have been reading for months, this site is great!

Here is the deal...80% of the time I push the accelerator and then wait for launch...sometimes it can feel like an eternity, especially when sitting at a light in rush hour... sometimes we launch like I just let off the brake, and others it is a very slow crawl.

I think it is also normal not to have power up hill...>? We slow to about 30 on any steep grade.

We are in St. Louis now, but "Stella" came from Boulder.

Any thoughts.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:05 am

Newbie Dude,

Welcome to your downfall.

Is your van an automatic ? How is the throttle pedal (gas pedal)? Does it stick a bit or does it have a smooth action. With the engine off just stand by the driver door and push it in with your hand; there should be some resistance but it should be smooth when pushing it down towards the floor and back up again. I'm suspecting it's a mechanical linkage issue; something may be binding.

As for slow up a hill......... yeah, welcome to your downfall......... oh, wait, I already said that.

- Chester

Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:45 am

As an owner of an '85 1.9 Westfalia... slow to go & slower up a hill is the norm.
Get used to it... learn to enjoy the ride. keep an eye out for places to pull off to let the "idiots" pass.
later,
Peter

Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:14 am

It is true that power is not the strong point of any Vanagon but I am betting that yours is not running correctly. Your throttle rspnse should not be any longer than than any other vehicle.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:47 am

I agree. 30 mph is not normal in an 85, except for some very steep hills. Certainly not on the highway, but twisty secondary grade roads up mountains, yes.

I try to get up as much speed as possible before a hill on a highway to maintain momentum. I rarely go below 50 mph on any highway hill.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:41 pm

As I expected...Yup its an Automatic...that is automatically gonna go slower...;)

I am ok with that...I will check the linkage etc...because I pushit to the floor and then at some point later we leave the line...

BTW...did I mention I Love "Stella"!

Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:47 pm

I'm not sure I agree that an auto is going to go slower. It depends on lots of factors including engine tune, tire size, and tranny condition. I bought an 89 with new engine and auto trans and it was really pretty quick off the line. Faster than mi stick it seemed.

Going up hill it's ok to downshift to second. I downshift whenever my speed falls below 50 when going up hill and I'm able to maintain speed.

Have fun!