Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2014 23:47:34 -1000
Reply-To: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject: Re: Fixed: Won't Start in St. Helena, Napa County
In-Reply-To: <00b701d00e9e$0ba46850$22ed38f0$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I've installed a jillion NGK spark plugs with fine results.
I notice it's 'too easy' for the gaps to get big ( they wear 'bigger' ) ...
evenutally ...
this can happen easily on a cold start in a waterboxer..especially in
winter ..
rather than fire off ..
the plugs get wet-fouled..
unless you know how to recognize that and when to expect it ..
you can't really tell what it is.
**at least One Spark Plug should be removed for inspection****
anytime an issue like this occurs.
it's so easy after all. ..free even.
also ..I'll betcha they put them in with dry threads..
in my wolrd ALL ...ALL engine spark plugs should be installed with some
anti-sieze on the threads.
I have yet to see..
having worked on thousands of vanagons almost ...
and every other make of car...
spark plugs that had some copper or aluminum anti-seize on the threads..
unless I was the tech that installed them.
do I sound like these sorts of things are really simple and basic ?
I do think that..
and I see *all the time* where things are not just LOOKED AT ..
and I always see marginal workmanship as well.
glad yer running again !
On 12/2/2014 4:08 PM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
> Yes, usually autocorrect fixes that. Never works when you want it to!
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rocket J Squirrel [mailto:camping.elliott@gmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 4:44 PM
> To: Stuart MacMillan; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Fixed: Won't Start in St. Helena, Napa County
>
> The link should be to van-cafe.com.
>
> vancafe.com ain't a working domain.
>
> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> Bend, Ore.
>
> On 12/02/2014 04:02 PM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>> www.rockauto.com has them for $1.40 each, I just got mine a couple
>> weeks ago. Your old plugs must have been fouled, they should last
>> longer than that. You might want to get a set of rebuilt injectors
>> from RA too, $25 each. Something is not quite right yet.
>>
>> Also, modern multi-fuel lines will last for at least 20 years, they
>> are not something you need to replace every few years. I like the
>> fuel line kit from www.vancafe.com. It's a heavier hose and uses
>> screw clamps as opposed to GW's crimp clamps, which are fine, but
>> require a special tool. Be sure to replace the hoses on the injectors if
> you do not get rebuilt ones.
>> Stuart
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of Steve Williams
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 3:52 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Fixed: Won't Start in St. Helena, Napa County
>>
>> In the end, the shop installed new Bosch 7998 spark plugs, and it
>> starts and runs fine now. So, yeah, I could have done that myself,
>> but at least I got more comfortable digging around in the ignition.
>> And Now I have a new coil, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor, too.
>>
>> The fellow at the shop felt the plugs were quite old, 40-50K miles.
>> According to my records, GoWesty installed NGK spark plugs in May,
>> 2011, at
>> 145,277 miles. The mileage right now is about 168,520. So, only
>> 23-24K miles. I hadn't thought it was that long ago.
>>
>> One of the things I learned: I need to be more proactive about
>> replacing ignition parts. Just as I learned the hard way a few months
>> ago that the fuel lines in the engine compartment don't last more than a
> few years!
>> What else should I be replacing, and how often?
>>
>> Another interesting item: I haven't bought a lot of stuff from GoWesty
>> recently, but I still get a lot of information from their web site.
>> Here's what GoWesty says about spark plugs: "Bosch has discontinued
>> production of their spark plug for the water-boxer engine; therefore,
>> we are now stocking this NGK product, and have found it be an
>> excellent replacement."
>>
>> The mechanic here in St. Helena says he doesn't like NGK, and he
>> didn't have any trouble getting Bosch 7998 plugs. Is GoWesty saying
>> Bosch discontinued a plug that was more appropriate for the waterboxer?
>>
>> Again, thanks, all of you, for your advice.
>>
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