Date:         Tue, 30 Jun 1998 15:08:11 -0400
Reply-To:     "James R. Gilbert" <cb541@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "James R. Gilbert" <cb541@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU>
Subject:      Conclusion to story of setting Idle
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com

Hello.
I don't subscribe to the list any more, so pardon the
intrusion.

I once said to adjust the 2.1 l digifant on my Wolfs, to
turn the, about 1/3 inch (about 7 mm) slotted screw near the
throttle housing (or in it). Then I said don't turn that
screw, I'd learn how to properly adjust the idle. (My idle
was too high and was 'bumping' the transmission bad, that's
what started the whole thing.) But also, I had found I could
eliminate the intermittent power problem with highway
touring by opening (counter clockwise) that screw.

Well, now I know that screw is the idle adjust. BUT, it
seems adjusting the idle isn't for casual mechanics anymore.
The EPA or something has made it near impossible. There is
another adjustment, the CO adjustment, under a cap that has
to be drilled out to get at. The CO adjustment is in the air
intake/air flow control unit. Finally, there is a tiny screw
on the lever of the throttle that Bentley says NEVER change
or adjust.

I said I'd learn how to properly adjust all this. I tried to
bring my idle down. Next you know, it idles way high still
and dies at every stop, requiring starting the engine every
stop. Well, this was terrible, ruining my transmission. So,
I broke down and took the Wolfs to the dealer. $208 dollars
later, it runs ok. In my case, the dealer opened it all up,
had to remove carbon deposits from the intake paths. AND,
there was a stuck (open or closed?) switch that was totally
leaving the HALL unit in the dark. There are about 3
switches controlling the intake, I think, in addition to the
at least three screws.

The moral: I guess us 'drivers' shouldn't mess with the
intake adjustments generally. The adjustments determine the
emissions, so are absolutely necessary to pass inspection,
and they are complicated. The one biggest, most obvious
screw you can turn, clockwise to lower idle, counter to
raise idle. If that doesn't solve the problem, take to
dealer (I say dealer because they may need some VW equipment
most garages don't have.)

Regards, Russ
'87 Wolfs still going good about 150k miles (2nd engine).