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Firing on 1,4 cylinders only
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djweaz
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Location: Murfreesboro, Tn
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:45 pm    Post subject: Firing on 1,4 cylinders only Reply with quote

My beetle has a 1600SP ran fine until it got cold. Got it started 3 times since. I started off cleaning and replacing battery cables repaired the relay cable that comes from the battery.
All new stuff like
plugs 2 times AC delco first time NGK B5HS second time
Cap rotor points condensor
Pulled every thing back off checked plugs point dwell made sure everything was set properly. Noticed cylinder 2&3 plugs were clean 1&4 were fouled
Smells flooded a lot the AC Delco plugs when pulled smelled of gas bad, probably from flooding it. After the plugs were changed to NGK it started but only after a spray of ether when I pulled the plugs today that is when I noticed the plugs condition. It might not be that 2 aren't firing. It might be 2 are fouling instead as they have been run for about 5 minutes. I tried to check the timing but cannot find the mark or the bead on the inside. Spark plugs are gapped to .026 dwell is at .016 firing order is 1432. IT peeps popping and cracking and backfiring trying to start it and a little bit of ether does it no good either. Still doesn't start. I'm lost at this point
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jzjames
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could take out your plugs, stick a straightened-out coathanger in the #1 hole, and rotate the crank with a large crescent wrench.
Then you could find TDC (or the 180 degree-off-TDC point), and look at the pulley to see if you can detect a mark. or make your own mark, pretty simple. Then follow through the tuneup process and see what's up!
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MacLeod Willy
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:22 pm    Post subject: firing Reply with quote

First check with one of your extra plugs in the end of each plug wire while it is cranking over or running. Should have a hot blue spark on each wire.
Double check the wires are in the right spots in the cap and correct direction CW. Point gap will be .016 not the dwell. That will read around 42degree
Open the choke plate and see if it clears up and runs better, then let us know the results
Best of luck
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61SNRF
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You might have a vacuum leak on that side, it could have ran fair in the heat, but once the weather turned the engine wants a richer mixture. Plugs probably "look" fouled but that can be from lean mis-fire or too weak to fire at all.

Have a close look at the manifold boots on that side. Spray some either or carb cleaner on them with the engine running and see if it picks up. Have a Fire Extinguisher handy Wink

You don't mention a valve adjustment check, that should be done with every tune-up. A tight or leaking valve represents a vacuum leak too, so important to check that off the list.

Last but certainly not least, do a compression test to make sure you're not kicking a dead horse Embarassed
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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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Pruneman99
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like you have a problem engine not getting spark at the spark plugs at the correct time. Make sure, double sure your firing order is correct. Easy to follow the wrong wire from the 1-2 side when they disappear behind the carb/alt. #1 front passenger side. #2 rear passenger side. #3 front driver. #4 rear driver. Front is the front of the car. 1-4-3-2

Start with the engine at TDC. There should be a mark or dimple on the crank pulley. The dimples are hard to see. Look close. Line that mark up with the split on the case. Usually when you pull your cap off the distributor, the rotor will be pointing to 4-5 O'clock. If it is, your on #1 fire stroke. If its at the 10 O'clock, spin the engine once more and re-line the dimple to the case. Put the #1 wire here and then 4-3-2- in clockwise. Now if your distributor dive dog was installed wrong, you will have to stick the stick in #1 and look at valves to see when your at TDC.
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Pruneman99
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

After you get it to stop sputtering and backfiring, (Correct firing order) you can check the dwell and set the timing.
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