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Date:         Sun, 23 Apr 2000 11:14:57 -0700
Reply-To:     Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Organization: Genentech, Inc.
Subject:      Screeching noise on '82 Vanagon...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I posted a while back on a strange and very loud screeching noise I was getting from somewhere on/in my aircooled engine, coupled with a perceptible loss of power. The noise only occurred when throttle was applied under load. Based on advice on this list, I changed the fan belt. The noise was still there.

Then, thinking it had to do with the distributor, I popped that item out and inspected it for a broken advance mechanism which might cause the weights to touch the distributor body. However, in the design of the distributor, there are posts built into the weight mechanism that prevent the weights from flying out too far, in the event a spring breaks.

What I did notice, however, was that the Hall Effect rotor (my '82 is a California van with electronic ignition) had what looked like a wear mark on it all the way around its circumference, and there was virtually no clearance between it and the stationary magnet. I theorized that when throttle was applied, the distributor shaft moved just enough to cause these parts to rub at high speed.

I opened up this clearance a bit and reinstalled the distributor. The noise is gone. I will be test driving the van today to see if it feels/drives normally. The loss in power could possibly be attributable to the Hall Effect rotor rubbing on the stationary magnet, which might have altered the ignition timing.

Weird stuff, but I need to sell this vehicle, so I'm trying to find and address the various "issues" it may have. A major oil leak turned out to be the oil filter adapter gasket- it was leaking under pressure like crazy, but is now fixed. Hopefully, these two problems are the extent of my van's "issues."

Anyone experience a similar problem?

Dan Schmitz

'82 2.1L Adventurewagen (for sale soon) '87 Westfalia (as soon as I can get to Grand Junction CO to pick it up) '75 Porsche 914


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