Date:         Fri, 6 Apr 2001 08:29:22 +0800
Reply-To:     "Atkinson, Scott (CLW, Floreat)" <Scott.Atkinson@PER.CLW.CSIRO.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Atkinson, Scott (CLW, Floreat)" <Scott.Atkinson@PER.CLW.CSIRO.AU>
Subject:      Corroding spark plugs in WBoxer
Comments: To: "vanagon@yahoogroups.com" <vanagon@yahoogroups.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello all

I am having problems with spark plugs in my Vanagon. Install new ones and
all is OK for about 6 months, then a slight miss at startup occurs. This
disappears quickly and all seems OK. This slight miss a startup continues
and slowly get worse until, after about 6 months, it wont go away.

Remove the sparkplug and it looks like its been there of 40,000KM not
6,000km. The centre electrode is worn WAY down, the gap is huge and the body
of the plug appears VERY pitted, like rust has eaten it away. This occurs on
one side of the motor only, the other sides spark plugs look fine.

The motor has been losing water (only about 1 overflow tank/4 months) but I
have not been able to find any leaks.

What do you think is wrong and do you think it is damaging the motor? Will I
have to replace the head gaskets?

I did have a rubber gasket blow on the other side and I replaced the head
gaskets on that side but time and money stopped me from doing both as the
head I removed looked like new!

Thanks for any suggestions and have a great weekend.

Scott

90 Vanagon Auto