I have had the vanagon running at advanced timing for a week now and it is
ideling really bad. I get some knocking going on now. I have had to return the
timing to the correct settings. The knocking is going away now but the miss in
idle is still there. The van runs ok but has no pick up. I press the
accelerator and it feels like there is something causing it restrict the flow
of fuel to the engine. Also, I get a real strong emmission smell coming out
the exhaust and it is causing some concerns with my family. it completely
fills the carport with fumes. I cannot imagine i would be here if i had to
start it up in a garage! I have had the fuel mixture set by a garage many
times( too many too count)and the problem still persists. O2 sensor? replaced
with a new one. All the wires in the engine compartment have all been moved
away from any surface in contact with them. Could a loose wire in the idle
stabilizer connection be causing the rough idle? i checked it out and the
engine cut out on me when i was checking the connection, leads me to beleive
that the wire inside the connector is loose and may be sending intermittent
signals.