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Subject:Re: Timing the 2.1L Vanagon Engine
From:Al and Sue Brase
Date:Sun, 29 Jan 2006 15:04:56 -0600

Good job, Larry!
    Crank a few more degrees advance on, see what happens! Very
satisfying, in my experience! YMMV, and if you hear any rattling at high
load, YOU ar the knock sensor in this motor!
Al Brase

Larry Chase wrote:

>Volks,
>
>Disclaimer: Please don't ever mistake me for a gear head or backyard
>mechanic who knows anything meaningful about these beasts.
>
>But even I occasionally stumble upon something that I can do.
>
>This past weekend I spent time with a Canadian Syncro owner "Allone" who has
>landed in Tucson for a while.
>
>Some of you might remember posts other lists members made a few weeks ago
>when Allone blew his engine up while traveling thru Maryland or some
>neighboring state.
>
>Several  folks were involved in trying to find a him a used engine.
>
>He ended up buying a used engine and having it installed at a some parts
>place/shop as I recall.
>
>Anyway ... Since the install Allone has complained of very low power and
>terrible gas mileage ... ~10 MPG.
>
>I few days ago he asked me to send out a "inquiry" email to check on
>availability of another used engine. Thinking maybe, he bought a very tired
>engine and needed to replace it.
>
>I sent the email but asked him to hold off on a decision until we could
>check some basic's.
>
>O2 sensor, Temp Sensor, Compression, Timing etc.
>
>Yesterday we were finally able to meet and do just that.
>
>Results:
>O2 sensor - good
>Temp Sensor - good
>Compression 150, 145, 140, 145 (damn I wish mine was that good)
>Timing .... Was retarded almost at 0.
>
>We reset the timing to 6 Degrees BTDC (spec is 5 +/- 2 degrees)
>
>Everything else looked good. Even under the undside of the engne was dry and
>free of leaks ... Again wishing mine looked as good.
>
>Road tested ... Results ... Night and day, all now seems fine.
>
>The problems seem to have been as simple as the timing being incorrectly
>set.
>
>larry chase
>www.roadhaus.com
>
>
>