Thanks for all of the replies.  The problem turned out to be a bad plug,
a clogged fuel injector and a bad compression.  I've suspected the
cylinder has been bad for a while, anyway thanks for your help.  For
anyone who remembers back in March I was planning on a rebuild, well I
finally started, I, along with my mechanic, will be starting in about a
week.  I'll let the list know how it turns out.  Thanks again.

David Filcoff            dave@v-dub.musa.com
Volkswagens!            http://v-dub.musa.com
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87 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Weekender (129k)
88 Fox GL 4 door (152k)
90 Associated RC10 Team Car, Aluminum
95 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 FS
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St. Louis / Columbia, MO
LiMBO - Gateway VW Club - VWoA VW Club - Der Busbezitzer Gruppe

>snip
>I checked my fuel injectors last night and found that when I
disconnected
>power from the left rear cylinder the idle did not change.  When I
>disconnected the injector on all the other cylinders the idle dropped
and
>the engine almost died.  I checked the injector, it was only letting a
small
>amount of gas drip out, so I cleaned it and checked it again.  It now
works
>fine, so I hooked everything back up, started it and disconnected the
>injector again, same thing, no change.  I checked the plug, it is
getting
>power.  When I disconnect the plug wire from the distributor nothing
happens
>either.  Another note, the engine idles at 2100 rpm, I just cleaned and

>lubed the throttle body and linkage so it's not sticking.  Does anyone
have
>any ideas?  I would think that since the cylinder is getting gas and
the
>plug is firing it should have some effect when I cut power to it.  Any
>suggestions would help.
>
>snip