>Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2003 08:34:10 -0600
>To: vanaagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>From: Max Wellhouse <maxjoyce@ipa.net>
>Subject: Begging for advice(semi  OT)
>
>Dear Listees:  Just when I think I know something about cars and
>Vanagons(note the distinction), reality sets in.
>
>Problem:  After changing the plugs in my wife's 3.8 Chrysler V-5 and
>changing plugs in an old 81 BMW 320i, both cars run like crap.  Used Bosch
>platinum plugs on both cars(ie exactly what came out of them in both
>cases) so that's not the problem.  The only thing I can think of is
>excessive use of Permatex anti sieze maybe insulating a couple of the
>plugs from grounding to the block?  Is this too far fetched?  Something else?
>
>On the 318, as I pull one plug wire at at time, 1 and 4 definitely make
>the engine rpm's drop, but 2 and 3 don't.  I switch wires to rule out
>problems there and still 2 and 3 don't fire.  I put two of the old plugs
>back in the 2 and 3 holes and still no fire.  Could be fuel injectors I
>guess, but the 1 and 4 plug insulators are still white and the 2 and 3
>turned black .  Kinda at a loss here.
>
>On the V-6, I pulled the plug wires of f the easy to get at front
>cylinders and one by one, rpms dropped. Have yet to check the back
>3.  Since I also replaced the plug wires on the V-6, I went back and
>checked wire position from a neighbor's car and that issue is okay.  Also
>had the air plenum off so maybe a vacuum line is dangling somewhere, but
>as tight as the spark plug boots are fitting, it could also be a wire not
>down far enough on the plug on one of the back 3 plugs.
>
>Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as I'm changing the plugs in the
>vanagon next(req. vanagon content!)!!  Help!!
>
>DM&FS