<html>
I would check the rotor, since there is a resistor in the rotor that
occasionally fries itself (should be obvious by looking at it, but
measure resistance to be sure.)&nbsp;&nbsp; I had a similar problem on
our 90 van which turned out to be the rotor.&nbsp;&nbsp; Non-Bosch rotors
are alleged to fail more frequently.<br>
<br>
Also - when you adjust the timing on the pre-87 vans, I seem to recall
that you need to disconnect the idle stabilizer and plug the two
connectors together? <br>
<br>
It's been a while since I had an 84, though.<br>
<br>
I have the platinum plugs in our 90, and it runs fine, but I can imagine
that they might take more or less current to fire, so might aggrevate or
show up some other weakness in the ignition.<br>
<br>
Dave <br>
<br>
90 Westy<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
At 09:34 AM 4/27/01 -0400, Paul Borghese wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite><font size=2>My '85 Vanagon has been idling
rough for a few weeks now.&nbsp; I found the problem being a bad spark
plug wire (resistance was infinite).&nbsp; I replaced the spark plug
wire, and replaced the old worn-out Bosch spark plugs with new Bosch
Platinum plugs.&nbsp; It seemed to me the engine was idling a little
rougher then if I would have just kept the older plugs in, but it might
have been my imagination.&nbsp; </font><br>
&nbsp;<br>
<font size=2>I then adjusted the timing and took it out for a spin.&nbsp;
The problem I am having is there seems to be no power at the lower speeds
and the Van is definitely getting hotter then normal when at an
idle.</font><br>
&nbsp;<br>
<font size=2>So I have two theories.&nbsp; The first is I am doing
something wrong with the timing.&nbsp; The second is the spark plugs are
problematic.</font><br>
&nbsp;<br>
<font size=2>The timing on the van is really weird.&nbsp; If I set it to
the correct timing, the car idles poor and requires the use of the idle
stabilizer.&nbsp; If I adjust to more before TDC then recommended, the
car idles much smoother and can maintain 850 RPM even without the use of
the idle stabilizer.</font><br>
&nbsp;<br>
<font size=2>So what do you guys think.&nbsp; Should I adjust the idle to
be more BTDC for the ride home, or do you think I need to replace the
spark plugs?&nbsp; Or some other problem?</font><br>
&nbsp;<br>
<font size=2>Thanks!</font><br>
&nbsp;<br>
<font size=2>Paul Borghese</font></blockquote></html>