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Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:12 pm

Most ALL of the multi gap (2/3/4/) plugs say NOT to adjust them.
The charge will seek path of least resitence to ground, one time could be one side, next time the other.

Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:19 pm

scruffy wrote: Most ALL of the multi gap (2/3/4/) plugs say NOT to adjust them.
The charge will seek path of least resitence to ground, one time could be one side, next time the other.
What environmental factors would decide which path offers least resistance...whichever one has the least/most gas vapor between it and the ground? Slight changes in shape when hot? Gremlins?

Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:25 pm

sunspots...

Oddly enough, when trying to look them up at Bosch, they don't list 2 or 4 point ones for the Vanagon engine...

Matt

Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:02 pm

1984 Westy
Automatic
1.9 Rebuilt motor and tranny at 185K
195/70-14 tires excellant tread
stock as it came from dealer

Bought in Denver Nov. 2005, paid the man and drove home to Seattle, checked total milage against gallons used and got a hair over 19 driving 70+ with some drafting through Wyoming at night.
Only cargo other than standard westy gear was a fridge with a 12 pack, some bourbon and water to wash it down.
Driven locally a few times and am averaging17-19 mpg

Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:54 am

1987 Wolfsburg
2.1L w/ S&S muffler and 8mm silicone wires
27x8.5" BFG A/T's 50 psi rear 42 psi front
4 spd manual

I mix city and highway and never see better than 18mpg mostly 16mpg. I think there are so many variables with even brand of gas used. PSI of tyres, also in Florida we have alot of hills, I don't know what the answer is but I would love better gas mileage. I think slowing down would help, hearing about you guys doing 55mph......wow, I thought doing 70 was good. :roll:

Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:12 am

I've Had my 1990 for about 2 weeks.
128700 mi
manual trans
Bridgestone 195 R14 light truck tires on the front
Kumho 195 R14 light trucj tires on the rear

I put the Bosch platinum +4s (#4477) in that match the 3 prong supers (WR7DTC) that seem to be recommend around here.

got about 18mpg on a trip to Vermont last weekend, but then started losing power and lurching on the way home- working on it, have gotten many good suggestions from people here, just haven't had a lot of time to troubleshoot.
I was told that the platinums aren't recommended for the Vanagons so I ordered the 3 prongs and they should arrive today.

I did a little work late last night on it, out in the street- no driveway or garage here!
cleaned up as many electrical connections as I could, cleaned the ground straps. and took a look at the plugs, somewhat of what looked like some carbon on them and they've only been in for <500 miles. it has been running a little rich on start up, but I'm assuming that's because it's cold.
didn't have time to really check the throttle switch but didn't hear it when I was futzing a little with the throttle.

do the platinums fire differently than the supers?

Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:55 pm

83 Vanagon w/ fresh 1600 TD from a 91 Jetta.
5 speed trans
215/75/14 rear tires
About 33miles/imp. gal. at 65mph top speed, less in winter w/ lots of idling. Less in town and on short trips.

Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:48 pm

Yeah.......a five speed trans :wink: Man I would really like to have one of those. It would be easy if I was in Europe. Seems that the 5 speeds were very common over there.

Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:15 am

I've talked to a couple of people in Canada and the States that have Vanagons w/ 5 speeds, so they are out there, just not too common I guess. They aren't any higher geared than the 4 speeds, just closer ratio, which is great with the diesel.

Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:45 am

levi wrote: Yeah.......a five speed trans :wink: Man I would really like to have one of those. It would be easy if I was in Europe. Seems that the 5 speeds were very common over there.

I have been quoted $1,800 for a 5-speed from vanagonparts.com

Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:35 am

Brooklynvan - What is the part number for the 3 prong super that you ordered? I did not think that they made them for the vanagon.
BRrrrr, I remember having to convert the curb into my personal work space but we have to do what we have to do :? Hang in there brother

Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:09 am

vwjedi wrote: also in Florida we have alot of hills
That's funny - Florida weirds me out a bit because it's so flat. I go hang-gliding there, and the only option is to tow the glider up with an ultralight airplane.

Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:14 am

brooklynvan wrote: I did a little work late last night on it, out in the street- no driveway or garage here!
I used to live on Dupont right off Manhattan Ave, and the river end of the street was great for working on my cars.

It just sucks not having a garage, basement, driveway, or yard...sooner or later, I'm gonna be under my van and one of these "55 mph on side streets" tards is gonna put me in a wheelchair

Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:18 am

Type3_in_ga

the Bosch WR7DTC is what was recommended to me.
I did not find them locally and so I ordered them. I did find locally the WR7DC which I believe is the single contact version of the same plug. Haven't put either one in yet, I'm leaving the Platinum +4s in until I figure out why I'm running rich, no reason to foul new plugs.
[/quote]

Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:51 pm

From ratwell's indispensible site, there is a link to this Bosch spark plug code chart:

And I'm getting more like 250 km. per tank, not 250 miles. Hmmm.

Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:14 pm

my 85 stock 7 pass., with a 3 spd auto trans, whatever tires, and nothing in it but me...250,000 on the odometer, orig, beaten 1.9 motor gets 10mpg hwy, less around town...dirty air filter, acient plugs and all...
my 86 stock 7 pass, 3spd auto, no name 6ply sidewall tires newish, empty but for me and the dog, 188,000 on the odometer, orig beaten 2.1 motor gets 9.5mpg on the hwy and who knows in town....air filter? you supposed to change those things? and what the hell? aren't plugs supposed to last forever?
and yes, i drive with the tach at right around the 4k line..

Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:05 pm

CG,

You jest, right?

Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:44 am

It's okay everyone, I've contacted the Society Against the Abuse of and Cruelty to Volkswagens. The info is now filed and the case is pending. The rescue mission is being planned and those two volkswagens of Catholic Girl's will be removed from Catholic Girl's care because of the Ignorant Cruelty and Obnoxiously Idiotic Abuse, and placed in caring homes.

Andrew

Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:14 pm

aww, come on now y'all,
these are daily drivers, and you know,
i think i even washed them,
well, one of them,
AT LEAST once.......

i even empty out the recyclables
rolling around on the floor
when they start to roll
under the brake pedal....

hey, really, the fire and airways could be cleaner,
but i do make it a point to keep them mechanically,
that is in SAFETY terms, sound sound sound
it is hard enough to stay safe and alive
without being a safety hazard myself....
i just keep flogging them and
they keep running and running and running

Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:19 pm

CG,

Your vans WILL revolt against you. Nuf said.

Now let's get back on topic, PLEASE!