TheSamba.com :: View topic - 7k miles in the Bokeh Bus and we're stuck in Franklin NC

Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:09 pm

You're right Jake, we should have looked you up, but we were in a rush to see a friend's last volleyball game at Western Carolina University and had run short on time after installing the exhaust that morning.

So we made it to the top of the Smokey Mountains....barely. The car ran great after doing the valve adjustment, but after an hour or so of driving it started running pretty weak. When we got to the top it sounded like the motor was only running on 2 cylinders. When we pulled the wires, one at a time, to the # 3 and #4 cylinders there was no change to the idle. We then pulled the spark plugs and found that the #3 plug was fouled with a copper colored residue and the #4 plug was in worse shape with black carbon deposits. We coasted down to Gatlinburg and were not able to find any new plugs in town, so we decided to call AAA and get it towed to Knoxville where we had family waiting for us.

We're now in Knoxville evaluating our options. We met a nice couple in Gatlinburg (see other thread) who recommended Jim Keck who we'll be calling a little bit. We're heading over to an Advanced Auto Parts to pick up a new set of plugs and then we'll go back to the house to check the valves, try a new set of plugs, check the gap and timing, pull the aircleaner off and check the carb to make sure it's getting fuel and then do another video of how it's running.

We're on a tight budget and still have a month or so planned for the trip....and there is of course the issue of the worn main thrust bearing which is giving us play in the crank pulley, but we are not losing too much oil. So many things to evaluate...but we're taking it one step at a time.

Tue Nov 17, 2009 3:34 pm

you keep talking about timing. Have you set the dwell? Or are you running a pointless ignition ?

Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:54 pm

most motorcycle shops sell the proper NGK plugs that are the best plug to run in an aircooled vw. you also bypasses several good shops in the asheville area. and about an hour east is Carolina Fun Bug parts for parts needs...ken....

Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:30 am

If you need help in Knoxville, drop me a PM, I know a couple VW folks in the area that could either help or recommend someone there...