Wagovan's Health Update Update

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/09/2018 at 13:44 • Filed to: project golf ball

Well crap . I took the wagovan out last night after removing and bypassing the OEM fuel filter to test to see if that had solved the problem.

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It had not.

It was way better, mind you. I was almost convinced I’d solved it! But then no... not so much.

Luckily the filter removal needed to be done. The filter was old like grandpa and the lines feeding it disintegrated. Ahh well.

After I’m !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , the plan is to do a full tune up and inspection on the Wago. Plugs, wires, coil, check the timing... the lot.

That said, the symptom still feels like a fuel delivery issue. A little poking around on the internets shows that the new, non-OEM, fuel pump the PO installed appears to be the cheapest one available on Rock Auto ($11) and is also for the 1.3L, not the 1.5L. So I decided to go ahead and buy the most expensive one available (not really) at a whopping $22 and try putting that in. Not only does it look like the OEM one, Amazon claims it is the OE supplier.

Luckily, in the interim the Wagovan drives fine as long as I don’t take it on the highway.

Slightly more alarming is that with the Volvo in the shop for a faulty ECU (entirely different story), the Wagovan indisposed, the Land Rover getting an overhaul, and the Alfa blocked in by the other ailing cars... the Saab is my only working car at the moment.

Freaky.

DISCUSSION (7)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 13:58

Go Saab go! My house mate had a very very nice 900 when I was in college and tricked me into moving it on the street. I had to come back in and get instructions several times on how to start it and remove the key.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 14:23

Weber tuning tip (that may or may not have to do with your fueling issue): make sure your float level is dead nuts perfect to spec. The float level adjustment tends to be the most overlooked aspect of tuning webers.

Something to look for on your tune up is signs of oil inside the distributor. Hondas of that time period have a tendency for the shaft seal to fail inside the distributor, which eventually causes interment drive-ability problems as electrical components and contacts don’t tend to like being coated in oil. Unfortunately, Honda built their distributors at the time to be non-rebuildable, or at least not with out a bit of machining and shaft seal modification.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
12/09/2018 at 14:28

Good tips, thanks. Would you expect the float to need adjustment out of the box?

Ha! Oddly enough this is a problem the Saab has at the moment. At least there are rebuild guides for the Saab’s.

Spaceball-Two > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 14:29

Maybe check the sending unit?

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 14:33

Even out of the box, I would double check it. Honda assembled the distributors with snap-off fasteners , so you have to drill them out to take it apart then re-tap. The shaft seal is also unobtainable, so you have to find one with the correct ID and a very slightly undersized OD and then stretch the seal a bit. The shaft bearing is obtainable from any industrial bearing supply shop. At the time mine needed to be done in 2003ish there were no aftermarket or reman options, so it was either pony up $400ish for OEM or get creative. These days there are aftermarket options, and the someone figured it was worthwhile to modify them and reman.

Sovande > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/09/2018 at 18:21

How's the fuel coming out of the tank look? Is it possible something got past the filter and clogged a jet? Hopefully the fuel pump solves the problems!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Sovande
12/09/2018 at 18:54

I drained everything before I started, so the fuel is good. Good thought though.