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Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:57:24 -0500
Reply-To:     pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Why not CIS?  RE: Images of South African van on website
Comments: To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <c4e7c5f90911161340o291d6d08y824d7b7a0a6861c8@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

CIS is pretty robust. Works great up until you get junk past the filter and into the system. The control pressure regulator clogs, injectors start spraying weird patterns, and God help you if the fuel distributor fouls. Then you have things like the accumulator that leak fuel underneath the vehicle and those #@$%& copper crush washers everywhere, pretty much one-time use only. However the CIS fuel pumps hold up well; I had a 22 yr old Scirocco with the original.

If you ever look closely at a CIS system you can really appreciate the precision machine work and quality of materials. The airflow housing is a beautiful thing with glassy smooth pivot bearings, machined aluminum funnel and anodized counter weight. The fuel distributor flow orifices are laser cut and the plunger is such a precise fit that pressurized fuel doesn't leak out even with no rubber seals or o-rings.

CIS is kinda like the last steam powered locomotives- brilliant masterpieces of mechanical ingenuity, though hopelessly complex and cumbersome.

Some would argue modern EFI is hopelessly complex, but not from a mechanical point of view. And with OBD, a simple scan will find most problems and let you know about it in plain English. Diagnosing CIS problems OTOH takes a little skill.

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of neil n Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:40 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM I can't help but wonder if CIS hasn't gotten a poorly deserved bad rap over the years. To me it seems like a simple system (CIS, not CIS-E) that would be quite reliable. Mind you, a rebuilt fuel distributor looks pricey, (are they even available new?) but I bet it takes quite a few miles before that part fails. And if one keeps an eye on those high pressure fuel lines, why not keep it?

Neil.

-- Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engine s


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