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WannaDriveFar
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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 Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 3:34 pm Post subject: Slow out of a stop |
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Hey everybody,
Recently I had my van in a shop because my fuel line got a hole in it. The mechanic said that he fixed a few different spots. I don't seem to be losing fuel anymore.
Now I have a new(ish) problem:
- When I drive at a decent speed for a while (around 35 mph) and then come to a stop, I have a really hard time driving again.
- When I let my foot off the brake the van begins to roll, but when I give it gas there is A LOT of hesitation.
- It doesn't seem to matter how far down you press the gas, the van will not accelerate for a while (maybe 5-10 seconds)
- It's bad enough where I occasionally have to throw on my hazards and have other cars go around me.
- Sometimes when it is done acting up, I'll hear some loud thuds from the back of the van before I start accelerating.
I never had this issue before I got a hole in my fuel line, but now it has continued even after that issue seems to be resolved.
My (very inexperienced) theory is that it is something to do with the automatic transmission. I believe that my transmission is shifting me up while I drive, but failing to put me in a lower gear when I come to a stop.
Any advice would be helpful!
How do I troubleshoot this?
Should I just go back to the shop?
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1983 Vanagon GL Automatic |
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elizer 
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016
Posts: 1462
Location: Northern Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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You have holes in your rubber fuel lines and your mechanic fixed it? How? This is sort of screaming the wrong answer. Where in VA are you and what mechanic is this
Also have you tried manually shifting the automatic when you come to a stop to see if that really is the transmission?
When you say hesitation is the RPM going up but you aren't moving? Or hesitation like theres no fuel pressure building up? |
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WestfaliaMike
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Joined: November 13, 2017
Posts: 257
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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Is it an automatic?
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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI |
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Nickel_Nackel
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Joined: February 07, 2018
Posts: 187
Location: Bellingahm WA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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If you have holes in your fuel lines then you should start by replacing all the fuel lines. I don't think you need to worry about the hard plastic bits. but the rubber hoses need to be replaced immediately. especially since you noticed them leaking.
I would take care of the fuel lines first. that might even be the problem if the lines are still leaking. Patch job on fuel lines is probably not a good idea.
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1985 1.9L Potato |
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WannaDriveFar
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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To clarify: the mechanic replaced the hoses that were leaking. He did not patch the existing hose. This was done at Bob's Foreign Car Repair in Gloucester, VA.
Yes it is an automatic.
I have not tried manually shifting. How would I do this? Put it in 1, then 2, then drive? I haven't really messed with the manual shifting much since I go the van.
I'm not really sure how to explain the hesitation. Tomorrow I might try to film it if I get a chance.
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WestfaliaMike
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Joined: November 13, 2017
Posts: 257
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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i know that shop!
Ok a few questions.
Does it idle
In park, if you give it gas does it rev freely?
Have you checked to see if you have a feozen brake shoe/pads?
I would check the brakes before testing how it shifts.
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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI |
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WannaDriveFar
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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| MichaelCampingInVA wrote: |
Does it idle
In park, if you give it gas does it rev freely?
Have you checked to see if you have a feozen brake shoe/pads?
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I'll check on this first thing in the morning. How would I tell if I had a frozen brake shoe/pad?
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WestfaliaMike
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Joined: November 13, 2017
Posts: 257
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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Block the front wheels
Put in neutral, make sue the hand brake is released
Jack up each wheel and see if you can turn it by hand...
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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI |
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?Waldo?
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Joined: February 22, 2006
Posts: 9752
Location: Where?
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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| WannaDriveFar wrote: |
| To clarify: the mechanic replaced the hoses that were leaking. |
They replaced only the lines that were leaking? That's not good enough unless you want your van to explode into flames and be completely gutted by fire. Unless you're not giving all the history, then presumably all the fuel lines are the same age and if some started leaking, then they are all old and about to leak. If ANY of the hoses were leaking, then ALL of the fuel lines need to be replaced, not just the ones that were actually leaking. |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32596
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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WestfaliaMike
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2017
Posts: 257
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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I re-read your issue it sounds more lie a fuel delivery problem.. you in Yorktown?
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1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI |
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WannaDriveFar
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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| MichaelCampingInVA wrote: |
| I re-read your issue it sounds more lie a fuel delivery problem.. you in Yorktown? |
Gloucester
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WannaDriveFar
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Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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Based on the information you all have given me, I'm going to go ahead and try to replace my fuel lines myself.
Any particular words of warning going into this process?
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JDub113
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Posts: 758
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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What you describe can unfortunately be many things. It's not your brakes. Check idle solenoid, vacuum lines, afm. I'd start with those. Or after a certain year, vanagon syndrome may play in for digifant vehicles.
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djkeev
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WannaDriveFar
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Has it run right since you got it back with the fuel line repair?
No?
Check your firing order, maybe they pulled plug wires and mixed them up.
Dave |
I just got the van back yesterday and drove it for about 2 hours. It seems to drive fine except for out of stops. I can't necessarily say it's run "right" because I've never not had issues with my van, so I'm not entirely sure what right feels like. But I had no other major concerns.
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IdahoDoug
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Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10248
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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Wow. My award for "the most convoluted thread of the week" here.
OP says "my mechanic replaced my fuel lines", then a few minutes ago in response to others warning about fuel lines says he "will replace his own fuel lines". I'm confused. Were the fuel lines replaced by your mechanic or not?
Regarding the symptoms. How about we stick with the symptoms. Drive the van. Come to a stop. Press on the gas to drive away. If it won't accelerate as normal in a second or two, immediately pull the auto shifter to "1" and don't change anything else. Does the van suddenly have power and pull normally? If so, your mechanic likely messed with the throttle cable and trans kickdown cable and did not properly reinstall things because it appears the transmission is the problem. Stop and repeat. Then stop and put the car in Drive and head back to the mechanic.
Don't suspect a sticking brake, low fuel pressure, or full ashtrays. Stick to the transmission as the suspect.
One HUGE caution. If your mechanic messed with the throttle cable and tranny kickdown and did something wrong, there is also a potential the throttle can STICK OPEN because things are not properly installed.
Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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mikemtnbike
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Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2795
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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Looks like Oakton isn't too far from Gloucester. I'd consider looking up member Alaric H. and seeing if he can look at your van.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
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WannaDriveFar
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Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:23 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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| IdahoDoug wrote: |
| OP says "my mechanic replaced my fuel lines", then a few minutes ago in response to others warning about fuel lines says he "will replace his own fuel lines". I'm confused. Were the fuel lines replaced by your mechanic or not? |
Hey Doug,
The mechanic replaced to pieces of hose where he found leaks but not not replace it in its entirety. My thinking, after hearing the warnings of others, was that perhaps it had sprung another leak in a less noticeable place and that it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the whole line anyways, as I don't know its age.
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WannaDriveFar
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2017
Posts: 46
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: Slow out of a stop |
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| mikemtnbike wrote: |
| Looks like Oakton isn't too far from Gloucester. I'd consider looking up member Alaric H. and seeing if he can look at your van. |
2.5 hours each way seems like a bit much to ask. Thanks for the idea though.
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