Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 11:44:45 -0400
Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Timing question: Digifant I system
In-Reply-To: <000b01c4b1c6$55a16ce0$c7f67643@oemcomputer>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The big problem you are having is the same one that many Vanagon owners
have with this procedure. You are actually using the wrong procedure.
The one you are trying to use actually requires the use of a VW tool
that is probably no longer in existence. The timing procedure that you
want to use is super simple and works every time.
First static time the motor using Top Dead Center on cylinder number one
and the alignment mark on the distributor body. The car should start
and run decently at this setting.
Now warm up the car until the radiator fan comes on one time.
Now install your timing light. You can get your power from the
alternator or battery and ground to the engine or battery (in car). Put
the timing lead on spark plug number 1 wire.
Let the car idle at whatever reading the Bentley specifies. Should be
around 900 rpms.
Shoot the timing light at the timing marks and turn the distributor
until they line up per the manual. In the Vanagon I like leave the
engine a little advanced (maybe 2-3 degrees) as it seems the waterboxer
engines idle smoother and have just a little more power here.
Lock the distributor.
Rev up the motor and let it come back to idle and recheck your timing
marks with the light.
If everything checks out then you are done.
DO NOT unplug or unhook anything (including the Temp II sensor plug)!
This will mess up your timing readings. You only do that if you are
setting the timing using the VW special tool. If you are just using a
light, like everyone I know does, then you do it the way I describe
above and everything will be great.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
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Phone: (856)-327-4936
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Roland Finston
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 4:18 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Timing question: Digifant I system
Friends,
I understand that the early '90's Vanagon had a Digifant I fuel/spark
system. I have that system on a '91 Jetta and I am having trouble
setting the timing. If I do it according to the Bentley (Jetta) it comes
out way wrong. So here are my questions (and how do these procedures
compare with the Bentley for Vanagon?): According to the Bentley the
timing light's battery power supply is supposed to be connected to the
battery + and the igniton coil - post (I don't understand why?) Then
after disconnecting the coolant sensor start the engine and let it warm
up. Then rev the engine 2100 and let it return to idle, do this 4 times
(clears the momory, by-passes hot-start, fast-idle function). Then rev
the engine to 2000 to 2500 rpm and set timing to 6 BTDC. Finally turn
off engine reconnect coolant temp sensor and reset the Digifant to its
base setting.(disconnecting the crankacase vent hose, pugging it,
starting engine, disconnecting coolant temp sensor, let idle for 1
minute, turn off engine, reconnect temp sensor, unplug hose and
reconnect).
Does that procedure agree with that given for the Digifant I for the
Vanagon? If so, does anyone know why the resulting timing seems so far
off of what it should be?
Please excuse my bringing a question about a Jetta to this esteemed
list, but I haven't had much success with other resources. In
mitigation, I do also own a '75 VW Westphalia but it thankfully uses the
L-Jetronic system.
Roland Finston
