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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4539
Location: Arizona Highways
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 Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject: WEIRD spark issue |
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engine misses on #4 with wire plugged in. #4 hits when wire is pulled and you hold it to where you can see the spark.
been through 3 dist, multiple plug wires & plugs--all new ignition stuff. always exhibits the same symptom.
everything basic is covered.
WTF?
i'm stumped.
has anyone ever encountered this?
thanks
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport |
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sturgeongeneral
Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005
Posts: 2460
Location: Sacramento, California
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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That has always been a sign of a fouled spark plug.
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mharney
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2002
Posts: 8353
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Could be a problem with the cap too.. dunno if you replaced it. |
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RSA204
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2008
Posts: 84
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: WEIRD spark issue |
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| borninabus wrote: |
engine misses on #4 with wire plugged in. #4 hits when wire is pulled and you hold it to where you can see the spark.
been through 3 dist, multiple plug wires & plugs--all new ignition stuff. always exhibits the same symptom.
everything basic is covered.
WTF?
i'm stumped.
has anyone ever encountered this?
thanks |
If your saying that the cylinder isn't firing unless you make the fire jump to the plug by holding the wire 3/8 of an inch from the plug, and then the cylinder comes to life then that Usually indicates a fouled plug.
Do a compression check. |
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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4539
Location: Arizona Highways
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| sturgeongeneral wrote: |
| That has always been a sign of a fouled spark plug. |
possible. been through a set of plugs...but it was running rich.
thx, mark. all basics are covered.
i think the Volkswagen gods are mad at me 
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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4539
Location: Arizona Highways
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| Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:41 pm Post subject: Re: WEIRD spark issue |
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| RSA204 wrote: |
| Do a compression check. |
next on the list.
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Racebug57
Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2003
Posts: 114
Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:12 am Post subject: |
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| Doesn't "Fouled" Plug mean that it won't spark??? I'm confused on how it would spark otherwise, anyone care to elaborate? |
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miniman82
Samba Swamp Donkey
Joined: March 22, 2005
Posts: 9515
Location: Southern Maryland
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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I've had plugs that would not spark the gap when fouled, but would still somehow provide a path for current flow to ground over the porcelin insuator. I guess maybe contamination (carbon or other foreign matter) was adhering to the insuator, and creating the current path. Either way, if that happens you'll still get a spark if you hold the wire over it, but no combustion. There's also no way to fix it. I've never been able to clean a plug that did that and have it work again, only thing you can do is replace it.
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Welcome to the Samba. |
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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4539
Location: Arizona Highways
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:17 am Post subject: |
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plugs fouled beyond all hope. replaced & all seems well.
thanks all.
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The Noof
Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005
Posts: 4346
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:50 am Post subject: |
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| When you pull a plug wire on a running engine and create a gap for the spark to jump,you're forcing the ignition coil to produce higher voltage.This increase will help fire a fouled plug,excessively rich or lean mixture,ect. |
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Racebug57
Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2003
Posts: 114
Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
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| Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| The Noof wrote: |
| When you pull a plug wire on a running engine and create a gap for the spark to jump,you're forcing the ignition coil to produce higher voltage.This increase will help fire a fouled plug,excessively rich or lean mixture,ect. |
That was the answer I was looking for. Thanks Noof |
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