An 85 normally has the later 'pin' type plug wires, cap, and coil, which are
better than the previously used  type.

I would only use real Bosch parts though. All others are automatically
suspect.
I find the Bosch parts to be so long lasting and reliable, I rarely ever
have to replace any - cap and rotor and generally ..plug wires too.

also ...just having too large plug gaps ( from wear usually ) can make spark
plug wires want to leak. Path of least resistance of course.
Scott
turbovans

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 9:36 PM
Subject: Re: 1.9 Running issues when wet out

>I would start by checking the ignition system. The cap, rotor, and wires
>are
> the primary suspects. The 1.9L engine had a distributor cap with the metal
> interference shield. Dirt and road salt can make a film from the wires to
> the can making a short when wet. The alter engines used a conductive
> plastic
> shield. The later cap can be used with the "Pin" type wires. The shield
> can
> also be transferred to the earlier cap if you have the early wires. Later
> wires often work with both styles of caps. Make sure the plugs are in good
> shape and properly gapped. Make sure the top of the ignition coil is clean
> and check carefully for any signs of carbon arching.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Jeff Lincoln
> Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 6:10 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 1.9 Running issues when wet out
>
> OK, I've been dealing with this for some time now. When it rains (snow
> doesn't seem to bother it) a medium to hard rain I can get about 15-20
> minutes down the road before rough running and eventually the engine just
> dies out.
>
> Cap, rotor, plug wires are all new. New Temp Sensor too (because previous
> diagnostics had proven it was a bit wonky).
>
> Everything in my gut tells me this is an electrical issue but I don't know
> for sure and even if I did I don't know where to start.
>
> When this happens if I let the bus sit for a day I can get it running
> again
> - but it takes a lot of messing with it - it will not idle at first, then
> it
> will run rough and stall - each attempt getting longer and longer until
> eventually I am able to keep it running and it recovers and runs fine. One
> other thing during the rough running period (when the problem starts and
> after it has sat and I am trying to get it going again) is that if I give
> it
> any gas at all it will stall immediately - eventually of course it is
> fine.
>
> I suspect by the way it acts after it has sat that it eventually gets
> better
> becuase whatever is wet is drying off more and more. Then again I don't
> really know anything.
>
> Any advice at all pointing me in ANY direction at this point is welcome.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
> '86 (We call this one Scrap)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus