Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2016 00:55:31 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Tune Up Poll
In-Reply-To: <CAP_YzpKNww+Qf778BJg6otiF8CeQrD0G+5V6qRPusUcqq3NkzA@mail.gmail.com>
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Once again you will get better answers giving year and engine. I'll fill in what I can below.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Tyler Hardison
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2016 2:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Tune Up Poll
How often are you doing a full tune up?
I consider this:
Fuel Filter- If pre 86 with the pre-pump filter 12-15K miles is a good service interval. For the 86 and later it depends a lot on fuel quality. These filters can hold a lot and being on the pressure side of the pump there is a lot of tolerance. 30K intervals is usually over kill. Bad fuel will often clog the in tank filter causing all sorts of problems there.
Air Filter-There are many variable here. For 86 and later a huge improvement can be made by installing the large capacity Syncro filter. Inspect regularly and after winter, off road, or driving in very dusty environments. Resist the urge to simply clean and re-use. Once the housing is open clean and replace. The air filter not only traps dirt and dust on the surface but the really fine stuff will eventually work its way through. This ultra-fine stuff can get into the oil and that filter can’t catch it all so you can end up with an abrasive mess, especially from silica. Oil testing may tell you when you waited too long to service the air filter.
Oil Filter-For what they cost replace with every oil change. Factory recommendation was 7,500 miles. There are many variables for how often oil really needs to be changed. To really find out oil analysis is the way to go.
Cap and Rotor- These are wear items. In addition to the contacts wearing from the arching of each spark the cap can get carbon tracks and cracks. Depending on luck anywhere from 15 to 20 K.
Wires- original ignition wires last for many years. Most after-market are junk. Common failures are the spark plug resistor ends. Inspect and test as needed. Difficulty starting in wet-damp weather could be sign the insulation is failing. The ends can be tested with an ohm meter.
Plugs-Vanagon engines especially operated at high speed-loads can eat these. For normal plugs figure 15K. Having the center electrodes erode and round off is a sign they are shot. The spark jump easiest from sharp corners. Plugs can also fail with cracked insulators along with carbon fouling and tracking. Platinum tip plugs tend to last longer and the fine wire types such as Bosch can help reduce detonation due to less material to glow red.
I know that there are standard intervals, but I'm curious as to how everyone else approaches this?
Hope some of this helps.
Dennis
--t
