Date:         Fri, 2 Mar 2001 21:10:26 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Passing through creek, engine misses badly
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John Clemens wrote:

> I drive through a creek everyday and with my 1983 watercooled
> Westphalia it doesn't take very much water splashing up to make the
> engine almost shut off and/or miss badly.
>
> John:
> My 84 used to run really badly on damp, foggy mornings.  I came up
> with this method to check the spark plug wires:
>
> Get a spray bottle that produces a fine mist.  Go outside after dark,
> and spray the engine with water while it is running .  Watch for
> sparks between ignition wires, from the wires to ground, and across
> the top of the distributor and coil.  This can be quite interesting.
>   Sometimes cleaning the coil and distributor cap carefully can  help
> a lot.  Poor insulation on the wires of course means repalcements are
> needed.
>
> Other types of wiring involve lower voltage and higher currents.
> These circuits should be less likely to be affected by moisture.
>
> Good luck,
> Larry A.
> Chicago
> 91 GL