Stranded on the way to ALASKA!

[77VWBusDude]

After the third time I had my engine out, it began to remind me of the Rifleman's Creed lol

"This is my Bus. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Bus is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life...
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'77 Bus auto EFI(stock)

[HastaAlaska]

Had the breaks adjusted by the first ever mechanic that i've seen that has a gun on his hip...Things in Michocan are pretty volatile.

I also bled the brakes at the wheels but it still feels a bit spongy (although better) I did notice that the back pads are pretty warn, maybe they need replacing or maybe the MC has air. Not sure how to bleed it on the car and am for sure not taking that damn thing off again!

There is something else that I need to run by you guys. I've been using a hell of a lot of Gas, like about double. Sure the roads are tough and there are quite a few climbs along this stunning coast road, but there are other clues that all is not right.

The exhaust is black, too black, the power is a little down and there is an occasional backfire when I lift the pedal.

Now I was thinking if there was an air leak somewhere (intake manifold or exhaust) then maybe the O2 sensor is picking up too much air in the mix and telling the computer to send more gas to the injectors. This is my theory anyway, what do you think or is there something else it could be?

Thanks.

Ben

-Still too far south in Mexico
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Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[Wildthings]

Not sure where you TSII sensor is located on your engine, but that would be my first guess as to what is wrong. If the TSII sensor is reporting that your engine is cold all the time, then the ECU will cause the engine to run rich and the O2 sensor will never come on line to lean things out. Once the O2 sensor gets all clogged up it will not work all that well either.

[HastaAlaska]

[HastaAlaska]

Oh man one of those warn tires blew out on the road, a few miles from help so we spent the whole afternoon trying to change it. One of the nuts would just not come off.

We ended up using a chisel and a screw driver and bashing at it for hours, finally we got it off and the tire changed.

I've replaced that stud and nut now and bought 2 news tires, the only things I could find were Goodyear, but they are cargo rated and are a very good tire. $240 though, FML! Walmart only had one tire suitable, I needed a pair.

Also checked the O2 sensor and it wasn't at all dirty, both the 02 sensor and the spark plugs were a pretty healthy brown tan color, in contrast to the exhaust pipe which is sooty. Still only getting about 12.9 mpg though and still hearing backfire, occasionally stalling when hot.

at 12.9 mpg this trip up to America is getting VERY expensive!

what mpg do you get from a 1600 engine?
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[Skoolieman]

I average around 20mpg with my 1600. Have you checked for exhaust leaks. That would lead to backfiring as well as poor fuel economy as the o2 sensor thinks it is running lean and dumps more fuel. Just my .02 pesos
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'69 Westfalia Camper~Cassidy
1600dp with H30/31 carb 009 distributor and alternator conversion

[Wildthings]

Test the output of the O2 sensor as per the manual. Need to see if it is actually doing what it is supposed to do. The TSII sensor needs to have the correct resistance as well. Don't know how many wires are on your TSII sensor, but if just one ground it to the block and see if that changes how your engine runs. If two short them together and see what happens.

[hopkin]

[HastaAlaska]

[Wildthings]

[avus]

Ben, I think you're going off the deep end diagnosing this. Your first idea should be investigated. Check for intake system air leaks. High intake pressure (low vacuum) will cause the system to go rich, and rich mixture with extra air (from an intake leak) will cause backfire on decelleration. I hesitate to say this is the problem, but it's easier to check and more likely than a mysterious electronic glitch. (mi dos centavos).

[Malokin Martin]

[busdaddy]

I'm not so sure shorting terminals together is good for Digifant or whatever that Mexijection is based on, I know it's OK for D-jet but I'd defer to the experts on the later system before I went and stuck any wires together or grounded anything.
X3 on the vacuum or exhaust leak causing wrong mixture, worth the time to investigate as 8-10 MPG lost will eat up the gas budget in a big hurry on a trip as epic as you have in mind.
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[HastaAlaska]

[avus]

[Jim Bear]

I have always checked for air/vac leaks by selectively spraying carb clearner around joints and whatnot.
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"You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus." ~kk
'85 Vanagon Westy - George In the Stable 2020-?/'74 Weekender - Ophelia In the Stable 2007- ?/'69 Beetle Convertible - SOLD 2017-2020/'67 Beetle - September SOLD 2013-2016 /'67 SO42 Westy - Sage SOLD 1996-2001 /'69 Transporter - Baby Blue SOLD 1995-1995/'72 Westy - Nelly - SOLD 1990-1995--STOP FRACKING

[avus]

[HastaAlaska]

[HastaAlaska]

OK So I checked the exhaust leaks with the fan belt disconnected but couldn't find any.

Also check with propane all intake parts and for blockages in the air pressure hoses and there are no intake leaks!!!

I checked pretty good, and the only place the engine changed pitch was when the propane was fed directly into the air filter.

The O2 sensor has 12vts to it, I am not sure how to test it's accuracy, but strangely I have done this test before, just can't remember exactly how.

The Temp sensor only had 5vts to it, not sure if that is normal.

Not sure what to do next.
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[avus]