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Brentpd
Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2021
Posts: 20
Location: Seattle
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 Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:08 am Post subject: Sudden loss of power |
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Hi all,
I’m on a road trip ‘cross country in a recently rebuild 1.9. This has now happened to me three times and the frequency with which it is happening is becoming more often. All of a sudden the van will shut down out of nowhere. It’s happened twice while cruising down a not too steep hill and once when I was rounding an off ramp at a relatively low speed. Both times that it was downhill I got a heavy gas smell, which makes me think it’s not a fuel injection or pump issue because it seemed to be pumping fuel after the shut off? Both of those times it took about 10 minutes before the engine would fire up again. The other time it started right up after the shutdown. Any thoughts? |
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10524
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Sudden loss of power |
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| Brentpd wrote: |
| ... in a recently rebuild 1.9. .... All of a sudden the van will shut down out of nowhere. It’s happened twice .... Both times that it was downhill I got a heavy gas smell, which makes me think it’s not a fuel injection or pump issue because it seemed to be pumping fuel after the shut off? Both of those times it took about 10 minutes before the engine would fire up again. ..... |
The presence of a fuel odour should not normally happen.
Engine cold, turn key to ignition on, don't start (turn) engine. The fuel pump should turn on for a second or so. This pressurizes the fuel system. Look, feel, for fuel leaks at all fuel hoses. A mechanics mirror is quite useful for looking at underside of fuel hoses.
The fuel smell could also be coming from the fuel tank area or hose at fuel pump or filter. Is fuel smell stronger after you re fuel?
The fuel system should normally remain pressurized for a period of time after engine is shut off.
IMO, one should replace the fuel lines when doing an engine rebuild.
Were running issues happening before the engine rebuild?
An engine rebuild itself may not eliminate previous running issues.
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 5973
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Sudden loss of power |
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do you get a fuel smell when you fill the tank plumb full? if you're getting a fuel smell when pointed downhill that tells me your grommets are bad. which means you may have water in your tank that gets sloshed to the intake at certain angles of attack.
so. put a couple bottles of Iso Heet in your tank and see if things improve. if they do, don't drive in the rain until the grommets are fixed.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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pdm777
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2012
Posts: 348
Location: Clovis, CA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Sudden loss of power |
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does the engine cough, stumble then quit,
OR
does it suddenly 'turn off'. ???
What does the tach do when this happens?
My experience was a bad coil.
Totally intermittent, usually when warm/hot.
_________________
1990 Westy Full Camper |
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