Mike, I usually set mine for 5-10 degrees BTDC.  The 2.1l Vanagons were
spec at 7 deg BTDC (if memory serves).  The retarded timing setting for
the 1.9l Vanagon is (I believe) a compromise for emissions testing.
However I have set mine at 10 BTDC with much better driveability, power,
etc.  Never had any problems  with pinging, or even getting through
emissions tests (strict here in NJ).
If you do this your idle should come up to where it should be without
turning the screw to oblivion.
Also you might want to check your valve adjustment.  If the valves
adjustment is too tight this can cause low manifold pressure (vacuum)
and idling problems.  A compression test would help in this area.

Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Michael Elliott wrote:
> Hm. I already did all that. Had a friend check my timing, too.
>
> Bentley's says 5 degrees ATDC for the 1.9l (p. 24.18). Is there a
> reason I
> should be doing 10 degrees?
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR
>
>
>
> On 10/29/2007 9:30 PM Geza Polony wrote:
>
>> 10 full turns is way way way off the mark. This is an indication of a
>> problem. The first thing I'd check is the ignition timing. Free, too.
>>
>> Start by setting the timing, with the idle stabilizer bypassed, to
>> 10* ATDC,
>> hoses attached, 950 rpm. You should be able to get it to run fine
>> with the
>> idle stabilizer out. Then reattach.
>
>