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Date:         Sun, 18 Aug 2002 00:45:24 +0100
Reply-To:     Clive Smith <clive.harman-smith@NTLWORLD.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Clive Smith <clive.harman-smith@NTLWORLD.COM>
Subject:      Re: Zoooooom!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Yes, but thats not not exactly the engine as a whole producing more heat and its why I keep sticking my oar in everytime I suspect someone is misinterpreting symptons (or more likely, just missing them) - I emphasis this point as a matter of synmptomatic diagnosis - you will not notice an overly advanced engine running hotter, even though its pinking or if driven under high load with inadequate Octane fuel - detonation.

Clive

----- Original Message ----- From: "G. Matthew Bulley" <gmbulley@bulley-hewlett.com> To: "'Clive Smith'" <clive.harman-smith@NTLWORLD.COM>; <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 12:12 AM Subject: RE: Zoooooom!

Advanced can do the same. Overly advanced timing (if you ignore the pinging, or have a loud stereo) can burn holes in pistons, and other horrible stuff.

Timing is everything. (sorry, I had to.)

Developing business and guiding change since 1996,

G. Matthew Bulley Bulley-Hewlett Marketing & Communications Business: www.bulley-hewlett.com AIM = IExplain4u Phone: +1.919.658.1278

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Clive Smith Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2002 7:11 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Zoooooom!

Note that a slightly retarded ignition can cause the engine to produce more internal heat....

Clive '88 Syncro Transporter

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeremy Speer" <jspeer@POBOX.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2002 8:06 PM Subject: Zoooooom!

Folks,

I drove out to my mechanic's place this morning to pick up the transmission mount he'd ordered for me. While we were talking i asked about the ongoing sluggish performance i'd been experiencing for some time.

I asked, "can we put a timing light on it and check where it's at?"

We got out the light, hooked it up, started the engine, and all he could say was, "oh, now *that's* not right."

He reached in and unhooked the temp II sensor, the idle increased a bit, then he checked again with the light. It was fully 3+ degrees retarded.

Working gingerly, right through the moving belts, he loosened the distributor and turned it. Immediately the idle smoothed out. Holding the light in one hand and turning the distributor with the other we watched the notch as it aligned with the case halves... he advanced it a bit more (2-3 degrees), then tightened the distributor and rechecked. He cautioned me to listen for pinging... and back the advance closer to 5 degrees if i hear any pre-ignition.

HOLY COW... it's like i have a new engine! I could pull up his driveway in 2nd gear. I can shift at a reasonable RPM now and not dog out while the car behind me lands in my back seat. I could accelerate in 4th gear and pass another car on the highway and not have to plan the move five minutes in advance. On the drive home the temp needle stayed fully below the LED.

I realize i might sound like an idiot spouting off about something everybody else already knows, but since i don't own a timing light i was never certain where my timing was set....and the previous shop i went to never even mentioned timing as an issue.

All in all a very, very good learning experience. Check that timing!

-jspeer

'89 Westy, "Mystery Machine" Happy at ~7° BTDC


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