Date:         Mon, 8 Jul 2002 19:49:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Craig Oda - Personal email <craigoda@COMMUNITYBUILDERS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Craig Oda - Personal email <craigoda@COMMUNITYBUILDERS.INFO>
Subject:      valve adjustment
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Hi,
I've been talking to my brother-in-law who is a Austin-Healey man
about adjusting the valves on my vanagon.  He is saying that there are
2 TDC for each cylinder.  I'm actually fairly baffled by how to adjust
the valves since the Bentley manual and most instructions assume that
the person doing the work knows how to find TDC.

So, what I've done is put the timing mark inline with the distributor
and adjusted cylinder 1, both the intake and the exhaust.  I'm
adjusting the screw on the springs so that it is 1 full turn tighter
than when it just touches.  I'm not sure if it should be tighter or
looser.

From here, I've heard both turning 180 degrees and then doing cylinder
4 and also turning 90 degrees counter clockwise and adjusting cylinder
2 next.  What is the correct order for cylinder valve adjustment and
do I have to worry about the difference in the intake and exhaust
valves?

Right now, my Westy doesn't idle, regardless of whether it is hot or
cold.  It just dies.  I first thought it might be the valve
adjustment.  If someone can give me enough info for a novice guy like
me to adjust the valves, then I might rule out that possibility.  I
need to adjust the valves because I replaced a cylinder head and the
gaskets on both heads.  (this was accomplished more by determination
than knowledge).

I then thought about the vacuum system.  So, I checked all the hoses I
could find.  The system seems free of leaks.  I also changed the 3mm
rubber hoses.

What else could be the problem?  There is a sensor going into the main
engine block under the van on the driver's side.  The wire of this
broke because it was so brittle and I respliced it.  But, it could
have broke again.  Does anyone think this is the problem?

Could anything else be preventing my Westy from idling?  Also, please
help me with the valve adjustments.  Think that I know nothing,
because I haven't messed with cars before this.

Thanks.

-- Craig

--
Craig Oda   craigoda@communitybuilders.info
VW Info: 1983 VW Westfalia, water-cooled, automatic