Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 22:13:19 -0400
Reply-To: Michael Nichols <msnichols@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Nichols <msnichols@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Yet another 2 liter question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello from Atlanta, Ga...... I experienced the same symptoms on both my '81
air cooleds last year, and here is what I found that caused the problem and
how I fixed it---
To begin with, my distributor clamps on both vans did not hold the
distributor tight, and after driving the distributor would shift a bit. I
was missing the washer on the clamp just behind the big 10 mm adjusting nut.
Over time the nut would seem tight, but it was bottoming out on the threaded
shaft and giving a false tight reading. I fixed this by adding another
generic washer or two, and also by using a Dremel tool and filing off a bit
on the stops on the clamp so that it would tighten = close a little bit
more. This looseness in the distributor was a weird thing---I could not
turn it by hand to see if it was loose, but the darn distributor would
"creep" over a short time to an improper timing setting.
The second problem that I had was that the timing would jump about when the
clamp was genuinely tight. The culprit turned out to be a worn distributor
cam that you could not see with the naked eye, but would show up when
installed in either van! This bad distributor was a newly purchased
"rebuilt" FLAPS item with a warranty. Once I exchanged it for a replacement
distributor, all was well.
I would like to add that one van now has a wonderful mechanical advance new
Brazilian distributor purchased from the BusDepot for about $70. An amusing
note here is that the skilled folks at the BusDepot assured me repeatedly
that this brand new distributor came complete and ready to install. The
well-intentioned fellow who took my phone order even asked his co-workers if
it came complete and ready to install. Well, the distributor arrived,
complete with points, distributor cap and condenser, but alas, no "O" ring.
This item is .49 additional and not included with a new
distributor.......... When I called BusDepot to order one, they would not
sell me one unless I ordered something else to make the order "worth it".
I finally obtained one from the local VW dealer....... But, the new
distributor has worked flawlessly for over six months without any floating
timing or dwell problems whatsoever.
In closing,I would recommend that anyone experiencing distributor problems
with an air cooled van
call BusDepot and order a new---not "rebuilt"--- mechanical advance
distributor (and "O" ring!)
Regards,
Michael Nichols
sage -----
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: Yet another 2 liter question
> I have an 83 Air cooled and I get some of the same symptoms. I get
> 800-1200 rpm periodically, I just live with it cause I can't see that it
> hurts anything with a manual transmission. Might be more important if you
> have an automatic.
> I've read on the list to first check for vacuum leaks. Next check for
> fuel leaks at the injectors, the hose may look good but they often have
> very slight leaks that appear only when you wiggle them when they're
> under pressure (I've found this situation).
> The other thing is that you could be getting sporadic rich lean mixture
> because your AFM has some minor resistance on the contractor plate (never
> opened mine).
> My 83 has deceleration valve and I suppose that you could add one of
> these to your 81 but I can't say it would improve anything or fix your
> problem.
> Low fuel pressure is something else you should check.
>
> Stan Wilder
> 83 Westfalia Air Cooled.
>
> On Sun, 15 Jul 2001 17:47:42 -0400 puzerewski <puzerewski@MSN.COM>
> writes:
> > Volks,
> > I got it to idle ant around 900 today, but when hot it wants to idle
> > at
> > around 1500. This is an FI motor.
> >
> > Also, when cold, is not smooth right away. Timing is set at 7.5
> > BTDC at
> > idle, and 42 degrees total.
> >
> > I notice the timing "jumps around" when around 42.............The
> > mark does
> > not stay more or less in the same spot, like there is a miss or
> > something
> > going on...........New cap, plugs and wires to no avail. I am
> > beginning to
> > wonder if I don't have a crappy injector..............any thoughts
> > here,
> > anyone BTDT?
> >
> > Changed the oil, swapped the oil pressure spring with one from
> > another case
> > I had, and oil pressure seems to be up. I have just driven it a few
> > miles
> > around town, so cannot really say too much.
> >
> > Any serious ideas would be appreciated.
> >
> > Adam Puzerewski
> >
> > 81 westy
> > 74 beetle
> > 73 Transporter (new!!!!!!!)
> >
> > Vanagon Partsmobiles
>
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