I don't know how many times I'm going to need to re-learn this lesson before it sinks in...
The Westy's been running progressively rougher over the last week. Idle was fine, full throttle was fine, but on light throttle acceleration it was stumbling and farting. I was worried that the new Bus Depot ignition wires were starting to crap out, or the new, colder spark plugs were fouling, or that the persistent vacuum hiss that I just can't seem to eradicate was finally becoming a problem.
So I pull the plugs: they're all fine. Wires are routed okay. The hiss isn't any louder than it has ever been. Pop the distributor cap off: hmm, a bit more arc-damage on the internal posts, but I can't remember how old the cap and rotor are. Mental note to replace both. Turn the dizzy shaft by hand. Mech advance seems okay. Hmm, can't remember last time I oiled the felt "wick" in the distributor shaft. Give it a couple of drops from the dipstick.
Button it all up, go for a drive. Hesitation is gone! Had to be the advance sticking, once again underscoring the importance of smooth, consistent ignition to these engines. I'm now considering getting the Philbin guys to rebuild my distributor. Don't want to have to re-learn this lesson too many more times.
Keep yer wick oily
- SlowLane
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Livermore, CA
- Status: Offline
Keep yer wick oily
'81 Canadian Westfalia (2.0L, manual), now Californiated
"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance."
- Terry Pratchett
"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance."
- Terry Pratchett
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: Keep yer wick oily
If it is no longer hesitating, why send it out? Keep it wicked and clean and gapped and drive drive drive.SlowLane wrote:I don't know how many times I'm going to need to re-learn this lesson before it sinks in...
I'm now considering getting the Philbin guys to rebuild my distributor. Don't want to have to re-learn this lesson too many more times.
That's my lesson.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- drozdenko
- I'm New!
- Location: CT
- Status: Offline
Re: Keep yer wick oily
i ended up loosing my felt during the process of putting my motor back in, any good replacements?
or will regular 'ol "ac moore" felt work?
Thanks.
or will regular 'ol "ac moore" felt work?
Thanks.
'79 Westy 2.0L "Hiltrude"; with newly rebuilt engine (16k ago)..so nice to be reliable.
'00 Jetta TDI (new addition to the family)
'01 WE Jetta 1.8T (Sold)
'02 Passat GLS 1.8T (Sold)
'96 Jetta Trek (Sold)
'88 Gti-16V (Sold)
'00 Jetta TDI (new addition to the family)
'01 WE Jetta 1.8T (Sold)
'02 Passat GLS 1.8T (Sold)
'96 Jetta Trek (Sold)
'88 Gti-16V (Sold)
- SlowLane
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Livermore, CA
- Status: Offline
Re: Keep yer wick oily
Oh no, it must be official VW felt from der Fatherland, imported at great expense.
Kidding. I expect that anything of a similar nature would do the trick. as long as it retains a few drops of oil and doesn't shed fibers. eg. I have some furniture sliders from Lowes that look like they'd fit the bill.
Kidding. I expect that anything of a similar nature would do the trick. as long as it retains a few drops of oil and doesn't shed fibers. eg. I have some furniture sliders from Lowes that look like they'd fit the bill.
'81 Canadian Westfalia (2.0L, manual), now Californiated
"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance."
- Terry Pratchett
"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance."
- Terry Pratchett
- drozdenko
- I'm New!
- Location: CT
- Status: Offline
Re: Keep yer wick oily
perfect..i have some of those too. thanks!
'79 Westy 2.0L "Hiltrude"; with newly rebuilt engine (16k ago)..so nice to be reliable.
'00 Jetta TDI (new addition to the family)
'01 WE Jetta 1.8T (Sold)
'02 Passat GLS 1.8T (Sold)
'96 Jetta Trek (Sold)
'88 Gti-16V (Sold)
'00 Jetta TDI (new addition to the family)
'01 WE Jetta 1.8T (Sold)
'02 Passat GLS 1.8T (Sold)
'96 Jetta Trek (Sold)
'88 Gti-16V (Sold)
-
- Old School!
- Location: Little Rock, AR
- Status: Offline
Re: Keep yer wick oily
so why are those important? my friends ca spec does not have any lint
1981 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia - air-cooled Type4 1970cc CV (hydraulic lifters, 42x36 valves, stock cam, microSquirt FI with wasted spark ignition)
1993 Ford F-250 XL LWB Extended Cab 7.3L IDI
1993 Ford F-250 XL LWB Extended Cab 7.3L IDI
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: Keep yer wick oily
What "those" are you asking about? "my friend's does not have any lint"??luftvagon wrote:so why are those important? my friends ca spec does not have any lint
We are in a technical forum where we ought to write for the reader on a search.
The felt retains the oil that we have to apply to centrifugal advance distributors so that the upper shaft (breaker cam) can rotate in relation to the lower shaft (drive dogs).
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles