All,

As you know, I am a new to the vanagon and to this list.  I am trying to learn the ins and outs of my vehicle before I leave for Colorado.  Yesterday I was in a carpool line that was located on a narrow gravel driveway that also curved and went uphill.  This involved a series of stops and starts on an incline.  I learned to drive on a manual transmission and have driven various manual transmission cars over my lifetime.  For 8 years I drove a 94 Ford Explorer with a manual transmission, so I know how to drive a heavy vehicle with a stick shift.  Lets just say that  my heart skipped a few beats when I got more than the expected bit of  rollback every time I started up the hill from a stop.  I totally freaked out the driver behind me when it looked like I was about to roll backwards into her.  It seems that I had to floor the gas every time and even with the gas floored it took a second or two to get going.   I know the vanagon engine is not powerful.  I expect this problem to be even more pronounced when the vehicle is loaded with gear.  

Is this normal?  Just a matter of me getting used to the feel of the clutch? Does it suggest a fuel line or other problem?  

I will be taking a trip to Asheville NC this weekend so I will get a taste of driving in the mountains.

Lisa Bliss
87 Westy "Bree"
Atlanta, GA