Please help need advice for 1978 westfalia

[semperviren]

I just bought a 1978 vw westfalia last month and have always wanted one. I have not had any problems driving it around until about 5 days ago. I got about 4 blocks from my house and it started jerking and jumping and seemed to not want to move. So I pulled over and started to take off and it continued to do the same and not really want to proceed at all without serious jumping and jerking. I shut it off and started it again and all it wants to do is iddle a few seconds and die. I did a compression check and it was 112-120, but my spark plugs were black so i replaced them with new ones and I also replaced all the wires and this resulted in no benifit, so I also tried replacing my fuel filter as well and still have failed to improve or fix my problem. This is all very new to me so if anyone could suggest where I should go from here that would help. This engine is fuel injected and has hydrolic lifters.

[1977_L63H_P27]

if your plugs were black, check your oil. It could have gas in it. I'd bet that something in the fuel injection is letting the cold start valve open up. That's the fifth injector located in the plenum. Unplug it and see if it will stay running. That or a massive vacuum leak. Good luck, and read your Bentley!
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[Randy in Maine]

Do you have a Bentley manual? Got to have one.

If you don't, go here and print it out. http://manuals.type4.org/ljet/

Volt ohm meter? Fuel pressure gauge?

After you do the step by step to eliminate the obvious, I think you will be looking at either a fuel delivery problem or a Temp Sensor II problem.

Since you are new here, let me give you some advice.

Most FI problems are really ignition problems, fuel delivery, or vacuum leak poblems.

While people complain about the bus FI systems, they are actually pretty good and were really good back when they were new. The plus is that they are good enough to out perform any carb set up and sinple enough for you grandmother to figure out any problems. The biggest problem we have some 30 years later is that the electrical connections deteriorate over the years. Both grounds and the + sides. Learn how to clean those connections and how to test the various functions at the "big plug" that plugs into the ECU over by the battery. It is not a big deal to remove the entire engine wiring harness, clean it up, and do both a continuity test and a resistance test on the whole thing after cleaning the connections.

You can diagnose about any problem with the FI if you have:

A Bentley manual.
A dwell/tach/volt/ohm meter.
A 0-60 psi fuel pressure gauge.
A 12 volt test light.
A timing light.

Let us know how it goes.

[c4l3b]

I had a very similar issue last week. Mine turned out to be the mass air sensor flap. it was stuck wide open. floods everything out.

it just takes a second to check, then you can at least write it off.
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Thanks for your time,
Caleb Kraft
www.calebkraft.com
www.aircooledmissouri.com
www.pulparchive.com

springfield, missouri

My Vehicles
1977 Westy

[Wildthings]

Remember this things have ignition points that need to be maintained.

[bugmandave]

I have an under 10 year old car that the fuel pump went out on and it cost over $100.00 plus I had to drop the gas tank to install it. My $800.00 '78 bus has gone over 5000 miles in the past 2 years with no problems. So much for a new car costing less or being more reliable than an "old" bus. Maybe it depends on who's working on it?

[semperviren]

But I have not had time to work on it since my first post but plan to on wed. My work changed my normal shift hours and its messed with my sleep pattern. I do have the bentley book and I also have the book by John Muir. Today I bought an automotive multimeter. So I surely will be useing some of the info provided thanks for now. Also, I am well aware of the age of my car and the fact that it will require work to maintain. I expected this when I purchased it.

[Randy in Maine]

You are doing OK. Sometimes people here get all boned up for nothing.

Have a quick look at the Temp Sensor II. You want to have a nice clean and tight connection to the head and a good electrical connection to the wiring harness.

They go bad once ina while and I always have a new spare in my bag of tricks.

Been here?

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/TempSensorII.html

[MrBreeze]

Keep it on topic. Save the soapbox for somewhere else.
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-=Rob

WTB: Bay Shore or Queensboro VW Frames

HBB 1984-2009
RW 1943-2011
ER 1964-2023

[krimpoo]

Thank you.

[Earthcreatur]

jerkin - probably the air flow sensor - on of the things they do when they're goin' down.

[panicalum]

C413b, What kind of animal is that in your Avatar. It looks like a sock puppet with a black nose. Makes me laugh.
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'63 Bug
gone:
69 Riviera - non walk thru-Turd
1971 Type 3 squareback
1974 Orange Westy -William
1970 Deluxe Sunroof - Tinkerbell
1973 Westy - Didn't stick around long
1976 Sage Green Westy
1959 Single Cab
1982 Vanagon Westy
1974 Thing
1962 Bug
1974 Baja Bug
1973 Blue/White Thing
1978 Sage green Westy (Mom and Dad's) got me hooked

[semperviren]

UPDATE, so after lots of book work and a little help from my friends dad who I have known for twenty-five years, and about $350 in tools I got a hell of an education. I was able to get my bus up and running. I then took my introductory education and pushed further on my own, every time I have had a problem since I have been able to solve it myself. The vw engine is no longer a mysterious hunk of metal to me. I love this car. It has taught me so much in so little time. The problems were, my points were off, so therefore my timing was off I also had holes in my boot that goes to the air sensor flap thing, and i also later discover my fuel injector was going bad. Thanks