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Sticky Distributor?
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VWLover77
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:39 pm    Post subject: Sticky Distributor? Reply with quote

My dizzy is driving me nuts Mad . Standard '78 Bus distributor with single vacuum advance can.

I set the timing at 7.5 deg BTDC per the spec. She's idling great. I shut her down, and start her back up. Won't idle worth a darn. Check the timing, it's at +2 deg Question . OK, reset the timing again to 7.5 deg. Idling great Cool .

Tach her up and the timing advances nicely up the scale. Let her fall back to idle, and the timing stays at 12 deg BTDC Rolling Eyes . Disconnect the vacuum line. No difference. I start tapping the dizzy with a wrench and it works its way back down to 7.5 deg BTDC Exclamation .

I'm starting to get a clue!!!! The advance mechanism must be getting sticky in its old age.

Is there any hope for this dizzy or is it easier to just replace it? If I must replace, where's the best place to get one?

Thanks again!

Don
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Don

1978 Westy
1971 Super Beetle Convertible


"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Over time the old grease and oil can really gum up the advance.

You can take it apart and clean the parts. Then reassemble it and apply fresh grease.

If you need help... I rebuild distributors.
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74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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Karl
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Part of the tune up procedure is to remove the rotor and put a few drops of oil down the center. There is a felt pad there just for this purpose.

One of the minus's of the age of add-on electronic ignitions [not saying you have it] is no one even R&R's the distributor cap so this step is totally neglected.

Remove the rotor. Remove the felt pad. Get real carb cleaner spray. Soak the center of the shaft. Let it sit. Put the rotor on and twist it back and forth. It should turn clockwise and spring back. If it sticks where ever you stop, keep soaking it with carb spray. Keep it up til it springs back easily. Put the felt back in and oil it regularly.
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VWLover77
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can I do this with the dizzy installed or do I need to remove it? Will the carb cleaner drain down into the crankcase?

if I can salvage this dizzy I'll be a happy camper!

Don
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1978 Westy
1971 Super Beetle Convertible


"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien
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VWBusrepairman
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mine does the same thing. Is your air aux. valve sticking open by chance?

While you have the dist. removed, you might apply some WD-40 but always try and remove it and apply some 3-in-1 oil to the advance plate to keep it sliding nicely. Should work better after it's lubed.
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Karl
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[email protected] wrote:
Can I do this with the dizzy installed or do I need to remove it? Will the carb cleaner drain down into the crankcase?

if I can salvage this dizzy I'll be a happy camper!

Don


Do it with the dizzy in. The carb spray goes out the bottom of the dist body thru the drain holes. The rest evaporates.

Don't use WD-40, it is only a water displacement fluid [yes, it was the 40th formula that worked as a water displacement]
http://www.snopes.com/business/names/wd40.asp
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VWLover77
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I took the distributor off, removed the felt, and sprayed carb cleaner down the shaft. Then, I discovered an access plate on the side of the dizzy. I pried off the cover, and could see the advance mechanism moving as I twisted the rotor while holding the drive shaft still. I sprayed and soaked all of that mechanism with WD40, then applied new heavy oil to it, and put everything back together.

WOW!!! Not only does the timing return to the idle setting reliably, but I'm getting MUCH more advance as I rev up the engine!

I can't wait to drive it tomorrow! I can't help but believe I'll be able to feel the difference, and maybe my gas mileage will improve too!

Thanks everyone! Very Happy

Don
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1978 Westy
1971 Super Beetle Convertible


"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien
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Randy in Maine
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice job. I think you will see a definite improvement.

Next time you order parts though, order up a tube of Bosch distributor grease for $5 or so to lubricate the plate pivot points.
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