Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:06:15 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Setting time timing - unexpectedly need help.
In-Reply-To: <1323722049.3118.11.camel@landallc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
A loose distributor clamp will cause the distributor to turn with the rotor direction which will actually retard the timing. I would hope that after the head was replaced the shop would have set the timing and other basic settings as part of that job.
Setting the timing on the 1.9L is best done as follows:
1) Make sure the vacuum diaphragm on the distributor is good. Both sides. These do fail fairly often.
2) Bypass the idle stabilizer if you still have it.
3) Throttle has to be properly adjusted. It should be closed almost completely with the stop screw holding it open just enough to keep the throttle plate from binding-sticking in the bore. This is important for the advance and retard ports to work properly. An option is to tee the vacuum retard side of the distributor with the fuel pressure regulator vacuum port.
4) Start engine, warm it up a bit. Set timing and idle speed 850-900 rpm. Use vacuum gauge to insure retard port is seeing full vacuum with throttle closed.
5) Test advance operation. Should advance rapidly when throttle is opened and retard as throttle is closed even before engine slows down.
Reconnect idle stabilizer. Next to set idle mixture and test O2 sensor operation.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of John Lauterbach
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 3:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Setting time timing - unexpectedly need help.
I had hoped to turn this problem over to my mechanic, but when I called him this morning, he said was totally booked up for the remainder of the year. Thus it setting the timing correctly is a must DIY. I have done this many times before, but the usual is not working.
Distributor is tending to creep towards more advanced timing. The clamp that supposedly holds the distributor in one spot may not be doing its job, or I am not tightening the bolt enough or something else. One problem is getting a grip on the bolt head. I am using a 10-mm socket with a 1/4-inch ratchet,
Would appreciate some step-by step instructions on moving the distributor to take the timing from around 10 degrees BTC to TDC. I know this sounds dumb, would appreciate the help. I have an electronic timing light.
John
