Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:33:03 -0700
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Ground Cleaning time...any tips & tricks?
In-Reply-To: <872636.10319.qm@web112015.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
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Thanks, John, I'll get to those grounds. And I understand your comments regarding the Platinum plugs....there's not much "metal" there, so easier to foul.
By the way, when I was changing the plugs on the passenger side, I removed the air cleaner. Below it, was a vacuum hose coming from "something" and going over to 2 "relay looking things" on the firewall; the barbed reducing coupler (1/2" to 5/16") which connected the two hoses was snapped in half. Who knows how long it was cracked or broken completely, but the resulting vacuum leak probably explains why I think I needed a tune-up (symptoms: slightly rough idle, a little low, not quite the normal oomph in the engine). Finding a replacement coupling took most of the afternoon (tried FLAPS, hardware store, Home Depot, West Marine, even the VW dealer, who said they replaced the nylon coupling with brass and the price was $93!!! Even the parts counter guy couldn't believe it!! Saw them in McMasterCarr, bag of 10 plastic ones for about $6. I am trying a VW specialty shop today, and if they don't have them I know of one industrial hardware store
that might, or it's mail order through McMasterCarr.
Rich
85 GL
San Diego
--- On Sat, 10/17/09, John Anderson <wvukidsdoc@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: John Anderson <wvukidsdoc@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Ground Cleaning time...any tips & tricks?
To: "Richard Koerner" <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009, 5:35 PM
All of them over on the drivers side head. 6 or 8 FI grounds come into the head under a couple of bolts, and the ground strap over to the body there (clean both ends of it.) Can solve all kinds of odd 1.9 woes. Me I don't like Bosch platinum myself, if the car runs at all rich, they foul instantly. Tri electode old style silvers, or just old coppers (but NOT chinese/indian production) changed a bit more often always work better for me. YMMV.
Oh yeah, dieltric grease, or if you got a really good electrical/electronic supply house a product called NO-OX-ID is really nice. Bulb grease OK too.
John
--- On Sat, 10/17/09, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Ground Cleaning time...any tips & tricks?
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009, 2:26 PM
WiseList,
I've got some time this weekend, and am going to do some preventative maintenance and tune up of my 85 Vanagon GL with 175,000 miles on the original 1.9 engine.
First on the list is spark plugs, I like to use the Bosch Platinum plugs...have had trouble-free success with those. But I've read on the List about cleaning grounds, and how doing that can really make a difference. So my question is: which grounds to clean? Especially in the engine compartment, especially things that have to do with sensors and ignition. Things like the Idle Control Valve, too, wherever that thing is.
Now, I live in sunny San Diego, and I keep my van (second vehicle) parked in my garage, so it's out of the weather almost all the time, which may explain it's longevity. I do live about a mile from the beach though, and the "salt air" is abundant here, you notice the effect on aluminum window
frames around the house. So I figure an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Also, after cleaning up grounds, is it recommended to use di-electric grease so they stay clean? On both the mating surfaces as well as the exposed external surfaces?
Rich
85 GL
San Diego
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