83.5 (Digijet) Idle problem - surging/slugish from idle [video]

[Wildthings]

I would dump some Marvel Mystery Oil into your crankcase and see if you can get your valves to pump up.

There is a knack to adjusting the valves on these things, unless your guy was experienced with hydraulic lifters on a VW horizontally opposed engine he may well have blown the adjustment.

I would check spark plugs and other tune up stuff as well, something is just plain ratty with that engine. At least turn the engine over two complete revolutions by hand and see if the compression feels the same on all cylinders, if not do a leak down test.

The digijet timing needs to be set at 28° BTDC @3500+rpm with the hoses off and plugged. If you time it by the book it is pretty much guaranteed that the engine will not run well. If your retard can does not hold vacuum when you suck on it, then do not reconnect the hose, but plug it off.

[shagginwagon83]

Thanks Wild Things. I used MMO on last oil change.

So I changed oil. Used same oil as last time, without MMO. Mobile 1 Synthetic 15w40 with a new Mann Filter.

I put in a new O2 sensor also.

I drove for 30 minutes and it ran great! It didn't want to stall out after 10 minutes of driving then setting idle for 3 minutes. Rock solid.

I noticed some loose bolts near catalytic converter. Like two of the three were loose. I have new hardware coming in my order.

I'm very excited to make progress ! Thank you all for all the great advice. Even though I didn't execute everyones recommendations, I am still going to look into them. Like the cat converter Ill take down and inspect.

Heres a video of idle now. It's much responsive. I don't think there is any pinging now?




Link

_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Wildthings]

Maybe try some injector cleaner as well. You have a cylinder that isn't carrying its load for some reason.

[shagginwagon83]

[Wildthings]

[shagginwagon83]

[Wildthings]

Follow the instructions for the MMO, as for the FI cleaner it often will show improvements in a very short while like in just a trip around the block, but each case will be different.

An intake manifold gasket leak might cause the ratty running you are seeing by making one cylinder not fire at idle while throwing the others off.

If you did leave ethanol gas in your tank over the winter maybe you have a valve hanging up in its guide? Some MMO, 2-cycle oil, or synthetic oil mixed into a tank of gas might fix this. You want enough to make a 100:1 mix of gas to oil, so a half quart or more.

Have your checked that your TTS is working correctly?

[shagginwagon83]

I have not tested TTS. I will. I figured I'd post these spark plugs pic before I do compression test.

_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Wildthings]

The plugs overall look fine, the bottom one looks like the rings might be beginning to pass oil though.

[shagginwagon83]

The compression test is not going good.

Not sure if we are doing it right. Looking it up now
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[jberger]

[shagginwagon83]

Alright I just bought the a leak down tester from Amazon.

No I have not adjusted lifters yet. I'm going to wait till the leak down test before I do that?
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[jberger]

[shagginwagon83]

Alright well I'll jump into the valve adjusting.

Here is the cold compression test.

Cylinder 1 80 psi
Cylinder 2 130 psi
Cylinder 3 100 psi
Cylinder 4 140 psi
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[?Waldo?]

Spec for compression check is with a hot engine. It will not give meaningful results cold. Your lifters may be out of adjustment or not fully pumped up in which case the test will be skewed as the valves will not be properly doing their job of letting air into and exhaust out of the cylinders.

[shagginwagon83]

Good to hear. I just adjusted the lifters. Sorry it took me so long I never did that job before and it wasn't so bad. I watched a video and I did 1.5 turns past no resistance.

Will test further tomorrow. I guess I won't do another compression test I'll do a leak down test on Thursday when my leak down tester arrives.
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[jberger]

[shagginwagon83]

[Wildthings]

[shagginwagon83]