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Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:02 am

All! A crack In my air intake boot has hopefully been the culprit of my 84 vanagon shutting off just a few seconds after starting it. Any permanent/semipermanent repairs you recommend?

I am moving in next two days and can’t leave the van where it is. Thanks!!

Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:07 am

The way to fix it is to throw it out and buy a new one for $50. https://www.busdepot.com/air-fuel-delivery/fuel-injection/air-intake-boot

I think it would be real hard to "patch" such an irregularly shaped hose. Maybe some duct tape would work long enough to get the van to a different location.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:19 am

yeah, replacement is the permanent repair.

There's even some used options in the samba classifieds:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...air+intake

For a temp repair, I'd try silicone self-fusing tape maybe?

Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:42 am

In a pinch (which it seems you are in), I would clean it well, strip the damaged areas with alcohol, then glue with Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) formulated for rubber and flexible plastics; clamp/hold it while the glue sets.

Back it up with the silicone self-fusing tape mentioned above, if you like, then install and drive.

Then, immediately get a NEW one ordered.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:45 am

Uh, how would a hole in your air intake have anything to do with the engine shutting off? I'd be ready for more repairs or tuning.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:46 am

PM me with some more pics, I might have one left over from my water boxer.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 11:00 am

newerwesty1987 wrote: Uh, how would a hole in your air intake have anything to do with the engine shutting off? I'd be ready for more repairs or tuning.

Just generalizing but...

That hose is between the AFM and the throttle body so the signal that the AFM is sending to the computer doesn't reflect the airflow that actually gets to the throttle body. Vacuum leaks (and the OP has a huge one) can do all sort of weird stuff and can certainly affect idling.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 11:13 am

Jeffrey Lee wrote: In a pinch (which it seems you are in), I would clean it well, strip the damaged areas with alcohol, then glue with Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) formulated for rubber and flexible plastics; clamp/hold it while the glue sets.

Back it up with the silicone self-fusing tape mentioned above, if you like, then install and drive.

Then, immediately get a NEW one ordered.

ayup. the only thing i'd add is to smear The Right Stuff over the glued portion for air sealing and strength. Cyanoacrylate glues are incredibly good bonders for rubber/neoprene/o-rings and the repair will get you miles down the road. but order a new one.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:18 pm

When the boot cracked on the Grey Van I glued it back together with orange GE Silicone until I could find a replacement. Easy and pretty much permanent but if the rubber is that heat and work hardened, its going to crack in more places soon.
Polyurethane caulk would probably be even better. CA is too brittle.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 3:53 pm

I would give this a try
https://www.liquidnails.com/products/fuze-it-all-surface-adhesive#platform-statement
ive used on a few things (rubber to rubber, plastic to metal)
Worked fantastic
hardens fairly quickly

Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:10 pm

Shoe Goo is the way to go for a temporary repair. As mentioned above clean the area well of any kind of oil and then apply the goop. Let the Goo set well before putting it into service.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:43 pm

year 3 into ownership of my 2013 Civic i had terrible drivability issues.. bucking, lack of power, terrible downshift/upshifts. found a ripped intake boot, likely the result of some warranty covered head work i had done, and replaced it without approaching the dealer as it was just less down time and not expensive. solved every issues i was having. infact, bought two at the time thinking they had a defect but the replacement has held fast. i imagine it was some over-zealous mechanic wrenching the rubber bits out of the way. same mechanic had causes a coolant leak by using a sharp pliers to wrench a heater hose off.

Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:46 pm

Wildthings wrote: Shoe Goo is the way to go for a temporary repair. As mentioned above clean the area well of any kind of oil and then apply the goop. Let the Goo set well before putting it into service.

This.. Shoe Goo is wonderful stuff.

J

Tue Dec 03, 2019 3:14 pm

Hi All! thanks so much for the input. ill wrap everything up here, since I've posted a few different topics regarding the issues I was having. Turns out the problem was twofold. RECAP:

Van originally shut off randomly while driving.
Since I kept it plugged in on a battery tender, and the battery was only 2-3 years old, I didn't consider the battery being bad.
Took battery to get tested, was told it was a bad battery.
Replaced battery, continued with similar issues.
Bench tested alternator. originally told the Voltage regulator was bad.
Removed from alternator, replaced brushes and installed.
No fix.
Purchased a new VR and installed into original alternator.
No fix.
Re-bench tested original alternator, was then told that alternator was bad.
Purchased new alternator, installed, then van would start up but shut down within a few seconds. I could rev the engine to keep it going, but it would die as soon as I let off the accelerator.
Removed and inspected air intake boot, found massive crack. temp fix with flex seal and stretchable safety tape (two things that are now part of my emergency kit).
Van purrs like a kitten. Best its ever run in the 4ish years I've had it.
just to test, I reinstalled the original alternator with both new and repaired VRs just to test it. Battery would not charge, proving bad alternator AND the it was a twofold issue.

Still need to get my hands on a new or used air intake boot.

Interesting issue, hope this may help someone having issues. proves that one corrective action may not be enough. IMO these multiple issue problems are the hardest to diagnose. The Samba, friendly mechanics and Go Westy were a big help. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to reach out! and THANKS again.

Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:10 am

Great followup with the troubleshooting path and results. Glad you got it all figured out.