TheSamba.com :: View topic - RENO Loss of power thing happening 86 Vanagon. Local mechanic?

Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:58 pm

I’m on day 7 of a 10 Day Rd. trip and she’s been driving like a dream.
After a 5 Hour drive today, gas pedal started to slightly buck and noticed loss of power. Was headed to Tahoe but now in Reno because I’m not sure if I should keep driving her. I’m from LA, so do t know this area at all.
Can anybody recommend a mechanic I might go see in the morning?
Checked out some of the posts here about this issue but I’m not able to do any of the troubleshooting or fixes myself. I don’t know anything about engines.
Advice, suggestions, names of mechanics in Reno? Thanks so much
Help a girl out : )

Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:08 pm

edited. Apparently I failed reading 101. ;)

Here's a database of shop reviews searchable by state or city:

http://roadhaus.com/shops.php

Neil.

Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:42 pm

Have you tried shutting off, then restarting the engine when it’s acting up.
If you can make the problem disappear for awhile doing this, your issue might be Vanagon Syndrome.
Lots of posts on it here in Samba.

Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:54 pm

I don't know anyplace but this is a shot in the dark for you.
stop by or call autobahn specialties and ask if there's a place they know that works on older VW mechanicals.

autobahnspecialties.com
1765 Lewis St, Reno, NV 89502
Opens at 7:00 AM

(775) 329-2956

Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:15 pm

Since you were headed to Tahoe anyway, check with Outwesty and if they can fit you in, get a tow there:

https://www.outwesty.com/for-sale

Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:07 pm

I'm in Reno and although I'm not a mechanic, I do all the work on my own Westfalia...

So I don't have a recommendation but am willing to look at it in the afternoon. I have meetings in the morning to take care of first. Send me private message if you can wait until after my morning meetings.

But like Ledogboy says, there is OutWesty near Tahoe City if you can make it up there.

Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:57 pm

Outwesty in Tahoe

Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:08 pm

Did you even LOOK for a mechanic?

https://www.bing.com/search?q=VW+repair+in+Reno%2C...a34f384a6e

Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:12 pm

Thank you for the suggestions. I found a couple places I’m gonna check out here in the morning. Think I might be too nervous to try to drive her up to Tahoe. That’s an hour drive.
I’ll update!!

Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:46 am

Cyn

You should be dropping anew set of plugs, cap, and rotor into your Bus each year to keep ignition happy. Maybe every other year if it’s just a trip taker.

Promise me when you get home you will connect with Robbie at airschooled.com and , for two hours At mechanics rates, you will learn more about keeping your Bus alive, even if you don’t want to turn a wrench.

Enjoy your trip and I’m sure its something easy to fix

Thu Aug 13, 2020 5:55 am

Abscate wrote: ...You should be dropping anew set of plugs, cap, and rotor into your Bus each year...

That seems extreme to me and fails to address many other areas that can lead to to problems.

To the OP - have you tried to start and drive the van since this happened (as suggested in the 2nd reply?

The description "gas pedal started to slightly buck and noticed loss of power" sounds enough like Vanagon Syndrome that you should try that. If that is the issue it is annoying at times but nothing that will prevent you driving it home.

The drive up to Tahoe is no joke so I understand your concern but this could still be something simple.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:38 am

Yes!!
Started her up and drove on the freeway 10 minutes to get to the mechanic this morning and she ran perfect.
He looked at the grounds and they look fresh. Looked at the fuel filter and it looks fresh. He’s going to replace the ignition coil.
Unfortunately he’s super backed up so that’s all he can do right now.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:42 am

Promise!!

You should be dropping anew set of plugs, cap, and rotor into your Bus each year to keep ignition happy. Maybe every other year if it’s just a trip taker.

Promise me when you get home you will connect with Robbie at airschooled.com and , for two hours At mechanics rates, you will learn more about keeping your Bus alive, even if you don’t want to turn a wrench.

Enjoy your trip and I’m sure its something easy to fix[/quote]

Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:43 am

Thank you! Appreciated! I’m hoping it’s something simple and will drive her up to Tahoe after the new coil part is put in. At least it’s something!

Ahwahnee wrote: Abscate wrote: ...You should be dropping anew set of plugs, cap, and rotor into your Bus each year...

That seems extreme to me and fails to address many other areas that can lead to to problems.

To the OP - have you tried to start and drive the van since this happened (as suggested in the 2nd reply?

The description "gas pedal started to slightly buck and noticed loss of power" sounds enough like Vanagon Syndrome that you should try that. If that is the issue it is annoying at times but nothing that will prevent you driving it home.

The drive up to Tahoe is no joke so I understand your concern but this could still be something simple.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:56 am

If possible, watch if tach needle drops when issue happens. If it does, that points towards an ignition or other related electrical fault.

It's quite possible your bus was exhibiting "Vanagon syndrome". If so, shutting off the engine usually allows the engine to run correctly until issue happens again. I don't know if tach needle dropping occurs when Vanagon Syndrome happens.

Great to see an affordable replication of the "pigtail" that addresses VS

https://www.vancafe.com/025906302AAFT-p/025906302aaft.htm

Neil.

-----

Technical Bulletin
Group: 24
Number: 92-02
Date: April 30, 1992
Subject: Vanagon Driveability Complaints
Model(s): All Water Cooled Engine Vanagons
SUPERCEDES TECHNICAL BULLETIN 24-92-01 (February 29, 1992)

CONDITION
After driving for an extended period of time at a constant speed, the
vehicle may, on occasion, experience a deterioration of performance
which may be accompanied by a hestiation or surging.

In many cases, after turning off the engine and subsequent re-start or
without having taken any action, the symptoms disappear. These symptoms
may not recur for several weeks or months.

SERVICE
To resolve this condition, wire harness Part No. 025 906 302, should be
installed. This harness provides improved signal voltage stablization.
* remove electrical connector from air flow sensor
* install wire harness, Part No. 025 906 302, between main harness
connetion and air flow sensor connection.
*****************************************************************
* CAUTION *
* Part numbers are for reference only. Always check with your *
* Parts Department for latest information. *
****************************************************************

NOTE
When troubleshooting this system and performing continuity checks, the
following should be noted. Due to active components in the wire
harness, Part No. 025 906 302, there is not continuity between pin two
of the connectors. The following chart on page 2 lists the resistence
of each circuit.
---------------------------------------------
Terminal Approximate
Number Resistance
---------------------------------------------
1 Zero Ohms
2 Greater than 1 Meg. Ohms
3 Zero Ohms
4 Zero Ohms
5 Zero Ohms

NOTE
If customer complaints persist after performing the above repair,
contact your Zone Product Support Specialist for assistance.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 10:37 am

thatgirlinthevanagon wrote: Promise!!

You should be dropping anew set of plugs, cap, and rotor into your Bus each year to keep ignition happy. Maybe every other year if it’s just a trip taker.

Promise me when you get home you will connect with Robbie at airschooled.com and , for two hours At mechanics rates, you will learn more about keeping your Bus alive, even if you don’t want to turn a wrench.

Enjoy your trip and I’m sure its something easy to fix [/quote]

Link to his online presence here

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=290054

Thu Aug 13, 2020 10:44 am

Vanagon Nut wrote: ...It's quite possible your bus was exhibiting "Vanagon syndrome". If so, shutting off the engine usually allows the engine to run correctly until issue happens again...

And to elaborate on this -- if it is the Vanagon Syndrome, resetting only requires the engine to be momentarily shut off and turned back on. There is no need to pull over or even take it out of gear -- just switch the key off & on while moving. There will be a slight slowing down so be aware of your surroundings esp who is behind you.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:00 am

Ahwahnee wrote: ... if it is the Vanagon Syndrome, resetting only requires the engine to be momentarily shut off and turned back on. There is no need to pull over or even take it out of gear -- just switch the key off & on while moving. There will be a slight slowing down so be aware of your surroundings esp who is behind you.

If thatgirlinthevanagon has an automatic transmission, if travelling at, say, 50 MPH, will the auto tranny bump the engine back on when key turned back to ignition on?

I know some older designs of automatics were capable of that but then the last automatic I drove that I knew was capable of that was a '62 Belair with 2 speed Powerglide so..... ;)

Neil.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:22 am

I wouldn’t shut the engine off coasting at speed with an automatic. I also wouldn’t try to bump start it with an automatic. Best to pull over safely and cycle the key.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:25 am

Vanagon Nut wrote: ...will the auto tranny bump the engine back on when key turned back to ignition on?...

Good question and I have no idea. Having never owned a vehicle with an auto box I forget they can't always do things a manual can do.