Fishin 4 banger

Put the P-car away the other day and took the 87 VW Westphalia in for 30,000 mi service in anticipation of a trip from So. Cal. to chase fish for a few weeks in British Columbia .My annual vacation. The bus currently has 86,000 mi.Had new heads at 35k and has had religious service from the local VW dealear.Lately the service has been poor there because of a change in ownership. We decided to use a highly recommended local VW shop instead.
Got the full service and brakes and transaxle fluid changed.

The #2/4 exhaust manifold was also changed because of a crack.The bus was running rich as a result of the head crack.(shop)

THE PROBLEM:
the c/o was ckd thru exhaust pre/post catalytic converter-
attempt adjust-
confirm oxygen sensor operative-
replace coolant temp sensor-(reduced c/o)-
attempt adjust air flow meter-
check throttle position switch(OK within spec)-

RECOMMEND:
c/o will not go below 1.45% with oxs disconnected/ .75% with connected-
oxs good-
possible faulty airbox-
recommendfuel injection cleaner first/rediagnose after mileage-
catalytic converter inoperative.

The explanation was the converter and other items maybe clogged because the manifold was cracked and the bus was running rich.Perhaps the injection cleaner would clean things up and the air box would then read properly

He can't work on it for a week the shop is closed.
Can I go to BC with it running rich as above, or would that risk serious damage.

Whatta ya think ?
Thanks
Willie

Must say as a disclaimer --- that I am just about as familiar with water-cooled VW busses as I am with the latest water-cooled 'wunderkind' from Stuttgart ... that I don't happen to consider to be 911's at all -- the last of those were built for the '89 model year!

However, it sounds like your 'problem' isn't much to worry about ... what will running rich do besides cost you a few MPG, and maybe a fouled sparkplug or two? Is it the original catalytic converter? The CATs don't have an indefinite lifetime, so just what is the expected lifetime these days?

You may need a new CAT, and maybe a new mechanic as well! My reasoning is based on his 'explanation' of a cat going bad because of an exhaust leak ... never heard 'that one' before, and don't believe it, either!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Thanks S Man,
Happy Birthday!
My thoughts exactly about this mech.
He also suggested running premium gas.that could certainly change the cost of a trip to B.C.
What exactly does the injector additive he suggested do?

By the way I had a beautiful So. Cal girl ready to send up to for inspection,for a B-day pres.. She's an English teacher and is enamored with your technical composition.I passed it by some of the Porsche guys and they shot the idea down, take away too much time from the bulletin expertise.
Thanks again,



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Wild Willie 88-911

The only positive thing I can say about your mechanic is that he certainly is 'imaginative' in the fine art of diagnosing and repairing by the shotgun method!

As far as the injector cleaner goes, presumably its use would dissolve any carbon, or other deposits causing an uneven spray pattern, or 'sticking open' injector that MIGHT be causing an overly rich condition ... like I said, he sure covered all bases in recommending a fix!!! My guess is that his recommendation of premium gas is aimed at the better 'additive package' that premium normally contains, and it would help to a certain extent, but a couple of $4-$5 cans of Techron would do the same thing ... but the question still remains, WHY?

Has your gas mileage been affected noticeably, or at all?

If they are still available, a 'test pipe' replacement for your inoperative CAT might be the thing to 'try' for your trip, and you could always add a couple of cans of Techron along the way, if your gas mileage isn't what you expect!

As far as the SoCal English teacher goes, that would have been a nice gesture, especially if she likes autocrosses, rallies, and drives a 911, though just appreciating Porsches would work, too!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

[This message has been edited by Early_S_Man (edited 07-03-2000).]

I'll agree with Warren again, here. I don't think you'd cause any problems. Rich mixtures can heat up, or even plug CATs, but a little won't hurt much. A test pipe would eliminate the CAT danger. CATs often die because they get so hot when the operate, that they disintegrate inside and physically come apart. The guts turn sideways and plug the unit.

I've heard the B-12 Chemtool (or something like that) is the cat's meow for cleaning fuel systems. I've also heard that Techron is good.

I'm still intrigued by this 'technical writing' thing, Warren. Not sure just what this is, but I'm a reading addict.

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'83 SC