Date:         Wed, 23 Apr 2003 19:02:39 EDT
Reply-To:     Themervino@CS.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mervyn Readman <Themervino@CS.COM>
Subject:      cutting out and sparking coil
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Oh wise ones
  My 90 Carat has problems. It started as a cutting out low power stuttering
kind of thing. White gassy smelling smoke on start up. Slight backfiring. It
kicks in and cruises sometimes but not for too long. I went searching in the
engine compartment. Thought it might be the temp sensor and looking there saw
that the retaining clip was missing. Replaced that. Then I kept hearing a
clicking crackling type sound. Looked over at the coil and saw ignition
sparks coming out of the rubber boot on the coil to distributor wire. This
morning on start up just before it got light I looked back there and it was
really sparking pretty bright and I could see it sparking in the wire in
places near the distributor. It's a sick pupster. Do you think the coil is
shot or could it be somethig else. If anyone has any ideas as to what this
may be I am all ears. I do my own work so I'm willing to try anything to
remedy this. Thanks all. Merv