TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:21 pm

Hi folks. I think I need to get into see a trustworthy and available shop. My skill level just isn't high enough to get my 1988 wolfsburg auto trans running right by myself. It has been running poorly for about 4 weeks. I'm just bummed. Something happened and I don't know what.

Recent history: It suddenly started running rich and hesistating, even dying at red lights, I reached out to people from the board and got a lot of help. I also did new tune-up parts first: new plugs, cap, rotor, coil, wire set, o2 sensor, temp2 sensor, air filter. I figured it can't hurt to do all of them. My plugs were blackened and the exhaust was black and stinky. It ran too rich. I then did my best at cleaning up the o2 sensor wire (coaxial green one did need to be trimmed way back). That really helped. I solved 1 issue. It made it stop running rich. The idle was faster too it seemed to not hesitate or die anymore. I was happy. That was 3 days ago. Now it seems too lean and has a hard time starting after being driven. It cranks and cranks then finally turns over. That is new. Also my temperature gauge seems to show it running cold for most of the day. Strange. It never has that sewing machine feel it did 3 months ago, always a little rough.

I don't know what to think. Yes I have a Bentley. Its like a senior level science book and I'm a freshman. :)

I was going to the Tec Shop in N. Seattle. I still like them, they are just too busy (2 week wait and it needs to be having the problems when i bring it in). I need to look around. Any ideas? The guys at Wolfsburg seem nice and helpful when I pop in to get a part. I'm in North Seattle. Thx

Sat Aug 17, 2013 10:01 pm

no one but george, @ poorbug in edmonds will ever work on my vans. great father and son duo

well worth the 17 min drive

Sat Aug 17, 2013 10:23 pm

The guys at Wolfsburg take good care of the things that I don't want to deal with. They all drive vanagons so that's one of many things I like about them. They can get backed up too so you need to check and see what their schedule is like. I've heard good things about poorbug too but haven't checked them out.

Sat Aug 17, 2013 10:33 pm

sent you a PM :)

Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:26 am

Peace vans has been my go to for awhile.

http://www.peacevansseattle.com

Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:26 am

Hans VW in West Seattle has taken care of our 82 Aircooled for the previous two owners (we're new to it ourselves). Considering we just drove 5000 miles across the country and back with no issues tells me they've done a good job with it! They do a lot of vanagons, busses and bugs and have been around for decades.

Before the trip, I had them drop the fuel tank and replace all fuel lines & gaskets. The repair came in a slightly under quote and as a bonus my transmission now shifts smooth as silk! AFAIK they have to disconnect it to drop the tank, but apparently don't charge extra for re-lubing it.

http://www.hansvw.com/

Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:19 pm

Peace Vans for sure... They are the real deal.
Those guys helped me out big time this summer as I was passing through Seattle.
They refused my money, then had the nerve to give me a free tshirt!
For real!