Vanagon 1.9L Tuning Question

[73BAJA]

Hi,

I am trying to smooth out the idle of my 84 vanagon with stock FI.

When I shine the timing light on the pulley the mark hunts around where I am trying to set it. The amount of wandering is around 5 deg but with jumps of more than that. It also jumps around when revving past full advance.

I do have the Idle Stabilizer bypased, rpm @ 850.The problem is still there with the vacuum blocked off to distributor (although I know not to set the timing with no vac to dist).

I have new tune up parts and have checked for vac leaks and checked all grounds.

I'm thinking that its either a worn distributor shaft (or the gear I guess) or the hall control unit or pickup. Any Ideas how to diagnose this problem?

Thanks,
George

[rich2481]

sounds like a good old point system, even new the mark will wander, at least that is what I have seen, I just set it static and then use the light to make sure it advances, you would be better off getting electonic ignition for it, if it bothers you.

good luck

[germansupplyscott]

this van has electronic ignition, yes?

a worn distibutor will cause this wandering. the hall sender should not wear, there are no parts touching each other. try new cap and rotor and see what happens. there is a some sort of plug-in factory upgrade for these early wasserbox iginitions that i have seen, don't know if this has anyhting to do with your condition. have you looks on vanagon.com? there are not many wasserboxer heads on this forum, mostly aircooled.

scott lyons

[73BAJA]

Thanks for the response. Tried vanagon.com, long dicussions on stoves and tires not much info on mechanical questions. I will replace the distributor with another one that I have. All tune up parts already replaced. Actually this rough idle/timing bounce issue has been with me through two engines and many tune ups. Can't figure it out, neither can the local "expert".

I was wondering if anyone thought it might be the hall control unit acting up electrically.

George