First of all, thanks to everyone who has been sending me their advice and
their own experiences with things like catalytic converter failure. I
haven't individually responded to all the postings, but I've read them all
and as a result have a much better idea about trying to diagnose the power
loss problem I'm having.
I've decided (probably) to let an inexpensive place like Meineke just go
ahead and replace the CC on the probability that the CC is the problem.
They will do it for $245 complete with a 5 year/50,000 mile warranty. (I
currently have 47,000 miles on the van and do hope to drive it past 100,000
someday.) But I wanted to ask the members of this list whether there is any
problem they know of with getting the replacement done at Meineke (or a
similar shop like Midas). Basically, I don't want to pay VW $800 to replace
the CC, especially since there is still a chance it isn't bad. If it really
isn't the problem, then $245 is a more acceptable amount to have wasted.
(And it's not all wasted, as I do get a new CC with full warranty. My
original CC would have worn out eventually anyway later on and the price of
things goes up with time; so I'm basically replacing a CC that is at perhaps
mid-life.)
Anyway, for those who have been following my travails, here's my analysis:
1. Main symptoms: intermittent loss of power without stalling, sometimes
gradual, sometimes rapid; excess heat coming up from the gear shift, smell
of something burning (once when power loss was particularly bad); if power
loss was rapid and complete, a few minutes rest always restored it, if
gradual it just seems to get worse until arrive at my destination.
2: VW has done diagnostics twice and there were no error codes that showed
up, which I assume reasonably eliminates the possibility of oxygen sensor
and anti-knock sensor (either of which might produce symptoms similar to
what I am experiencing).
3. There is no sound of rattling coming from the CC if I tap it with a
block of wood. VW also tried to hear anything loose and didn't.
I still have lingering doubts whether the problem is the CC, but unless
someome can persuade me otherwise, it seems the most reasonable thing is to
try a new (cheap) one before I am killed on the highway between two semis.
Thanks again to everyone who has offered so much help and advice. I had no
clue about this problem before consulting this group. At least now I
understand the possibilities and can make at least an intelligent decision
about how to proceed.
-Dennis Webb
webbd@...
