The specs for an '86 2.1 call for 5 degrees BTDC measured at 2000 RPM with
the Temp II sensor removed.  I was at 3 degrees.  Not sure about your '84
1.9 and market destination (octane rating makes a difference too).  I sure
like your mileage though.  I've been getting crappy mileage but I'm not
surprised considering the problems I've been having and the fact that I've
been running the system closed-loop most of the time.  I'm anxious to see
how it is now with the new Temp II sensor, idle control valve and timing
change.

Here's a link to what might be your specs.  If your running 0 degrees than
you're effectively running 5 degrees advance comparitively speaking since
you're supposed to be running 5 degrees retard according to these specs.
Follow that logic???  ... Oops, there it goes!

http://www.oldvolkshome.com/ignition.htm#V8384

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Greenamyer, William L [mailto:william.l.greenamyer@boeing.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 4:23 PM
To: Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS)
Subject: RE: Fast Idle Problem & Timing Advance

As far as I know, any change in advance affects RPM.  My question to you is
what is the timeing supposed to be set at?  0 TDC?  That is what my 84GL is
supposed to be set at and as far as I know, that is where it still is.  last
check I was getting 22+MPG and that included a 6 degree grade every day and
sometimes traffic on the freeway.  Doesn't advancing the timing to much
create a lot of mechanical problems in the engine?

William

-----Original Message-----
From: Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS) [mailto:Jeff.Warner@DSIO.DLA.MIL]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 10:38 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Fast Idle Problem & Timing Advance

Volks,

I too have been plagued by the fast idle syndrome.  I thought I should pass
along my recent experiences.

A couple months back when the problem started happening (engine warm or
cold), I took a quick look at things, pulled the idle control valve, cleaned
it and pow! it was fixed!  For a week.  It was perfect for a week! When I
fired it up to leave on a weekend camping trip it was instantly back to the
high idle and wouldn't let up.  So I pulled the connector on the valve and
dealt with warm up issues for the weekend.

Next two months I didn't look at it but did some research and planned an
approach.

Monday night I did the following:

Checked again for vacumm leaks - none found
Cleaned and replaced ground wires - no effect
Installed new Temp II sensor - no effect
Checked Throttle Position Switch - Not working, fixed it, no effect
Checked output of oxygen sensor - Right on the money at 5 volts
Replaced the Idle Control Valve with unit from my '87 - BINGO!

Purrs like a champ!

Decided to check the timing, found it at about 3 degrees BTDC so advanced it
to 5 and found idle too fast again but not as fast as before.  Reasoning
that the idle had increased due to the timing change I backed off the idle
screw which seemed to correct things but I'm not sure.  It was 1 AM so I had
to stop messing with it but I suspect that the idle control valve is once
again messing with me.

Questions:  How much of a change in idle RPM can I expect from a two degree
change in advance?  Any thoughts on what might be causing my throttle
control valves to fail after working initially?  I've got another one I
might try tonight.

Thanks again.

Jeff Warner
Galloway, OH
'87 GL Weekender "Van"
'86 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender "Barry"
CI 94 (including compressors!)