Chris;
I bought my 86 in 1989.For the first three years, it always barely passed
HC tests. I replaced the catalytic converter after it self destructed and
a week later the HC test was about 12ppm! I do not remember the exact
numbers but it was an astonishing improvement.
Our 85 has not had a reoccurrence of its hard start problem since I
cleaned and oiled the timing advance mechanism in the distributor. My
theory was that it was getting stuck too far advanced to start. I too
had to hold the throttle wide open and keep turning it over till it
would attempt to fire. I believe that the throttle, being wide open, 
reduced the vacuum to the distributor and provided some timing retard.
Good Luck
Ken Lewis
kdlewis@juno.com
86 VW crewcab
85 VW Vanagon GL
60 356 coupe
 
On Tue, 5 Nov 1996 20:31:07 -0600 "Christopher M. Smith"
<csmith@clang.sdsc.edu> writes:
>
>Hello One & All;
>
>I am trying to get my 82 Vanagon (non-California version) through the 
>smog
>emissions inspection in California. Preliminary results indicate that
>at idle, the hydrocarbon (HC) emission levels are 4 times that 
>allowable 
>by CA law (250 ppm HC). At 2500 rpm, the HC emissions are reduced to
>borderline passing (250-300 ppm). Prior to this initial inspection. I 
>did
>a complete tune-up; new plugs (Cu), points, rotor, dist cap, plug 
>wires
>.. dynamic timing @ 900 rpm, and even spiked my gasoline with a nice 
>dose
>of methanol The methanol addition resulted in reduced emissions (1200 
>ppm
>to 1000), but clearly not enough to pass.
>
>The Vanagon has the orignal 2.0 L, fuel-inj, air-cooled engine
>that I rebuilt 13,000 miles ago (Summer 1994). Total miles on the
>engine, including rebuild miles, is about 80,000. The rebuild included
>remanufactured heads, oil pump, cam, pistons, main bearings, 
>cylinders,
>rods, hyd lifters, (practically everything in the block), oil cooler,
>coil, rebuilt dist, etc. The exhaust system is a non-California 
>system.
>During the rebuild the EGR filter device (completely rusted out) was
>removed, and the attachment point to the cross-over pipe was welded 
>shut. I
>currently get about 18-19 mpg with this vehicle and it runs like a 
>charm. 
>Only problem I've encountered, prior to and after the rebuild, is that 
>the
>vehicle sometimes is very slugish re-starting after it's been started,
>driven a few minutes, then turned off. This is a sporadic occurrence
>(usually circumvented by pumping the accelerator a couple of times 
>prior 
>to turningover the engine). I usually fill-up with 87 Octane gasoline 
>(major
>brands), and have been using 10W40 Oil (Pennzoil).
>
>I can replace the EGR filter unit and repair the connection, at
>considerable expense, but am unconvinced that returning the exhaust 
>system
>to it's original condition alone will reduce the HC emissions enough 
>to
>pass the smog inspection. Based upon my description of the vehicle 
>above,
>could anyone suggest a reason (or fix) why the HC emissions are so 
>high.
>If I'm paying attention, I can actually smell unburnt gasoline 
>discharging
>from the tail pipe (but it's not overpowering).
>
>Based upon California's stringent smog inspection rules, I need to 
>reduce
>the HC emmisions or the vehicle is not driveable in CA. My options at 
>this
>point are to fix the problem (if it's possible), sell the vehicle in
>another state, or convert it into an expensive coffee table.
>
>Since I would really like to keep this work horse vehicle,
>I would greatly appreciate any help, hints, suggestions, etc., on
>repairs, adjustments I can make to reduce the high HC emissions.
>
>Thanks, Chris
>
>73' Sqbk (original owner)
>86' Westy
>82' Vanagon (for how much longer ?)
>
>
>
>