Date:         Fri, 15 Sep 2000 15:04:56 EDT
Reply-To:     Wolfvan88@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Ground for O2 Sensor?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

If the heads are not grounded would the spark plugs then not fire?

The heads are attached to the exhaust pipes which are attached to the engine
case> which is attached to the transmission> which is attached to ground
strap> which is attached to the body> which is attached to the battery ground
strap



On the 3 wire O2 sensor, two are for heating and the third is for the sensor,
ground is through the exhaust.


Check the transmission ground strap for corrosion damage. Mine was bad and I
replaced it with another webbed ground cable.

When the bolts that hold the exhaust on get enough rust damage, this can
weaken the ability for the heads to make ground.

The corrosion damage to the heads  is usually only under the head gasket,
where it makes contact with the gasket. (from the head gaskets I have seen)

1. Contact corrosion.

The additional damage to the head studs or other areas of the head surface is
most likely due to the wrong coolant type or not changing the coolant often
enough.

2. Surface corrosion

TWO DIFFERENT types of corrosion problems



Robert