Date:         Sun, 27 Aug 2000 12:34:17 EDT
Reply-To:     Wolfvan88@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@aol.com>
Subject:      Re: Better Mileage Anyone? (without going ala Lilley)
Comments: To: cstann@home.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 8/26/00 12:11:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cstann@home.com
writes:

<< Wouldn't the lower head temps be caused by a less complete combustion?  I
 always set up my air-cooled VWs to run a little richer to keep the heads and
 the engine cooler.  If that assumption is correct, then the triple tip
 platinum plug would make more power and theoretically improve fuel economy.
 This, of course, to the detriment of engine life.

 Any thoughts?
  >>
I normally ran the single Bosch platinum plug in my T4 engines with no
troubles.  When I switched to quad tip in my WBX engine, the tri-plugs were
still good, so I tried them in my T4 engine. This is when problems started.

I have a VDO head temp gauge under the #3 spark plug.


On other problem with the tri-plug I experienced: Mysterious hot start
problem.  Running the tri-plugs, I started to have the infamous "hot starter"
problem.  I would run the engine and the starter failed to start.  I tried
two different starter and each one acted the same the same.  I checked
wiring, put in a new battery, etc., to no avail.  The head temps were also in
the 350 to 375 range.  I switched to the quad tips, and the starter problem
disappeared and the head temps were down to the 250 range.

The engine has DUAL-DUAL throat 40 mm Dellortos with the update kit
installed.