Post from an IAC First-timer
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:59 pm
Today was my first IAC visit with Colin - and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The day zoomed by and my head is still spinning from all of the information he patiently imparted into my newbie brain.
He started with a very thorough explanation on the mechanics of valve movements and adjustments, breaker points, dwell, and timing complete with illustrated hand written notes and drawings. As the tutoring unfolded, Colin posed diagnostic questions which pushed my VW-apprentice-brain to the outer edge of its limits. He was patient when the answers did not flow quickly into my mind and he coxed the answers from me with other questions or hints. This was a great experience and I haven't had my mechanical/electrical intelligence stretched like this for years. (I felt like I was Jr. High School all over again).
When we moved from our theoretical discussion out to the garage, Colin first checked my valve adjustment work done a couple of months ago. I don't know if he was grading my work, but I would give myself a "B" since we had to go back and tweak some of the adjustments with a few IAC 'audits' from Colin. While I did this work, Colin clarified the markings on my cooling fan indicating TDC and BTDC. His use of fingernail polish gives a festive look to the interior of my engine bay. We also replaced the valve cover gaskets and then moved on to the timing.
This is where things got more interesting as you can see from Colin's expression that he was not too pleased with what was going on.
He discovered that I had installed the distributer 90* offset. We removed the distributer so he could show me how to check and adjust the points and we had quite a time making said adjustment because of some worn fittings inside. After many attempts, we determined the best setting (given the mechanical issues) and static-timed the engine. We finally fired up the bus and discovered a high-pitched whining sound coming from the engine. Within seconds Colin attributed the issue to a leak at the intake tubes. I soon learned that when I had lowered the engine a few weeks earlier to remove the fuel tank for service, that I had not given sufficient torque to the intake manifold nuts. This was soon rectified and we moved on to timing the engine with a timing light. This is where my mind began to get hazy with all of the plugged hoses, vacuum advance, 28* BTDC, etc. But once again, Colin was patient and explained his strategies and methodology.
The main culprit giving us trouble was the crappy center-mount Webber progressive carburetor. The mixture adjustment screw ran out of threads prior to reaching the proper setting and Colin wasn't too happy about that. (See the photo above). Colin set up his vacuum meter and we then took the bus out for a drive around the neighborhood with Colin at the helm. Almost immediately he discovered that my master cylinder is shot. The brake pedal upon application would travel almost to the floor. This was a shock to me as this has never happen before and I thought to myself, "what did we do to cause this." Eventually Colin and I switched and the braking issue seemingly disappeared. It was then that we realized that the way I applied the brakes in comparison with Colin was just different. I then applied the brakes in the same manner as Colin and I too experienced the pedal traveling almost ALL THE WAY to the floor.
On the way back to the house, Colin gave me a lesson on double clutching and then had me try this technique.
We got back home (safely) and went inside and enjoyed the AC and a little lunch. Colin then returned to his paper and pen and gave me very specific instructions on replacing the MC. This is a high priority and I will dig up the necessary resources and purchase a new MC post haste.
We returned to the heat and humidity outside and commenced replacing the tie rods. Colin also adjusted the steering wheel so that it is now set at 9:00 and 3:00 instead of 8:00 and 2:00. Thank Heavens - this has been driving me crazy since I've owned the bus.
Along the way my kids came home from work and greeted Colin and I while we were under the bus. My son Weston (who likes to work on cars) snapped a few photos of Naranja Westy parked under the big blue tarp
(the weather report called for afternoon thundershowers so I wanted to be ready).
Weston also took a photo of Naranja Westy's interior and told me later he was fascinated with the way Colin organized his tools and whole operation.
The day was coming to a close but before it did, Colin and I climbed under the bus for instructions on how to deal with rust and some areas of rot. This was very helpful and a little overwhelming but it must be addressed.
We snapped a photo of the August 16, 2018 IAC Dynamic Duo,
Colin climbed into NW, drove down our long and narrow driveway,
into the street; and with that, the day came to a close.
Thank You Colin, this was an exhilarating day and I'm already pining away for the 2019 lap.
He started with a very thorough explanation on the mechanics of valve movements and adjustments, breaker points, dwell, and timing complete with illustrated hand written notes and drawings. As the tutoring unfolded, Colin posed diagnostic questions which pushed my VW-apprentice-brain to the outer edge of its limits. He was patient when the answers did not flow quickly into my mind and he coxed the answers from me with other questions or hints. This was a great experience and I haven't had my mechanical/electrical intelligence stretched like this for years. (I felt like I was Jr. High School all over again).
When we moved from our theoretical discussion out to the garage, Colin first checked my valve adjustment work done a couple of months ago. I don't know if he was grading my work, but I would give myself a "B" since we had to go back and tweak some of the adjustments with a few IAC 'audits' from Colin. While I did this work, Colin clarified the markings on my cooling fan indicating TDC and BTDC. His use of fingernail polish gives a festive look to the interior of my engine bay. We also replaced the valve cover gaskets and then moved on to the timing.
This is where things got more interesting as you can see from Colin's expression that he was not too pleased with what was going on.
He discovered that I had installed the distributer 90* offset. We removed the distributer so he could show me how to check and adjust the points and we had quite a time making said adjustment because of some worn fittings inside. After many attempts, we determined the best setting (given the mechanical issues) and static-timed the engine. We finally fired up the bus and discovered a high-pitched whining sound coming from the engine. Within seconds Colin attributed the issue to a leak at the intake tubes. I soon learned that when I had lowered the engine a few weeks earlier to remove the fuel tank for service, that I had not given sufficient torque to the intake manifold nuts. This was soon rectified and we moved on to timing the engine with a timing light. This is where my mind began to get hazy with all of the plugged hoses, vacuum advance, 28* BTDC, etc. But once again, Colin was patient and explained his strategies and methodology.
The main culprit giving us trouble was the crappy center-mount Webber progressive carburetor. The mixture adjustment screw ran out of threads prior to reaching the proper setting and Colin wasn't too happy about that. (See the photo above). Colin set up his vacuum meter and we then took the bus out for a drive around the neighborhood with Colin at the helm. Almost immediately he discovered that my master cylinder is shot. The brake pedal upon application would travel almost to the floor. This was a shock to me as this has never happen before and I thought to myself, "what did we do to cause this." Eventually Colin and I switched and the braking issue seemingly disappeared. It was then that we realized that the way I applied the brakes in comparison with Colin was just different. I then applied the brakes in the same manner as Colin and I too experienced the pedal traveling almost ALL THE WAY to the floor.
On the way back to the house, Colin gave me a lesson on double clutching and then had me try this technique.
We got back home (safely) and went inside and enjoyed the AC and a little lunch. Colin then returned to his paper and pen and gave me very specific instructions on replacing the MC. This is a high priority and I will dig up the necessary resources and purchase a new MC post haste.
We returned to the heat and humidity outside and commenced replacing the tie rods. Colin also adjusted the steering wheel so that it is now set at 9:00 and 3:00 instead of 8:00 and 2:00. Thank Heavens - this has been driving me crazy since I've owned the bus.
Along the way my kids came home from work and greeted Colin and I while we were under the bus. My son Weston (who likes to work on cars) snapped a few photos of Naranja Westy parked under the big blue tarp
(the weather report called for afternoon thundershowers so I wanted to be ready).
Weston also took a photo of Naranja Westy's interior and told me later he was fascinated with the way Colin organized his tools and whole operation.
The day was coming to a close but before it did, Colin and I climbed under the bus for instructions on how to deal with rust and some areas of rot. This was very helpful and a little overwhelming but it must be addressed.
We snapped a photo of the August 16, 2018 IAC Dynamic Duo,
Colin climbed into NW, drove down our long and narrow driveway,
into the street; and with that, the day came to a close.
Thank You Colin, this was an exhilarating day and I'm already pining away for the 2019 lap.