85 1.9

On Thursday, February 18, 2016, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Once again you will get better answers giving year and engine. I'll fill
> in what I can below.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> <javascript:;>] On Behalf Of Tyler Hardison
> Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2016 2:08 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <javascript:;>
> Subject: Tune Up Poll
>
> How often are you doing a full tune up?
>
> I consider this:
> Fuel Filter- If pre 86 with the pre-pump filter 12-15K miles is a good
> service interval. For the 86 and later it depends a lot on fuel quality.
> These filters can hold a lot and being on the pressure side of the pump
> there is a lot of tolerance. 30K intervals is usually over kill. Bad fuel
> will often clog the in tank filter causing all sorts of problems there.
>
> Air Filter-There are many variable here. For 86 and later a huge
> improvement can be made by installing the large capacity Syncro filter.
> Inspect regularly and after winter, off road, or driving in very dusty
> environments. Resist the urge to simply clean and re-use. Once the housing
> is open clean and replace. The air filter not only traps dirt and dust on
> the surface but the really fine stuff will eventually work its way through.
> This ultra-fine stuff can get into the oil and that filter can’t catch it
> all so you can end up with an abrasive mess, especially from silica. Oil
> testing may tell you when you waited too long to service the air filter.
>
> Oil Filter-For what they cost replace with every oil change. Factory
> recommendation was 7,500 miles. There are many variables for how often oil
> really needs to be changed. To really find out oil analysis is the way to
> go.
>
> Cap and Rotor- These are wear items. In addition to the contacts wearing
> from the arching of each spark the cap can get carbon tracks and cracks.
> Depending on luck anywhere from 15 to 20 K.
>
> Wires- original ignition wires last for many years. Most after-market are
> junk. Common failures are the spark plug resistor ends.  Inspect and test
> as needed. Difficulty starting in wet-damp weather could be sign the
> insulation is failing. The ends can be tested with an ohm meter.
>
>
> Plugs-Vanagon engines especially operated at high speed-loads can eat
> these. For normal plugs figure 15K. Having the center electrodes erode and
> round off is a sign they are shot. The spark jump easiest from sharp
> corners. Plugs can also fail with cracked insulators along with carbon
> fouling and tracking. Platinum tip plugs tend to last longer and the fine
> wire types such as Bosch can help reduce detonation due to less material to
> glow red.
>
> I know that there are standard intervals, but I'm curious as to how
> everyone else approaches this?
>
> Hope some of this helps.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
>
> --t
>