1.9DG Ignition Conversion

[StuM]

Hi All,

The previous owner of my T25 converted the ignition from the original electronic ignition to traditional points -saying that "you know where you are with points". This seems to me (as someone with zero old-VW experience) to be a bit counter-intuitive. Is there a known issue with the DG's original ignition system that might have led someone to redo it?

He left the plugs etc in place for the original system, and gave me a box with all the bits, so I might try reconnecting it up.

The van as it is has a pretty lumpy idle - I've got things to check and change, points, plugs, leads etc. The main HT lead from coil to dizzi is rubbish for starters. I'm also going to check the servo tube as I understand that can perish, and the symptoms I get sound just the same as others have suffered before swapping out that pipe.

The plugs were inspected yesterday and the nearside front one looks a little oily, which is a bit of a concern. I'm going to compression test it.

As a general comment, the wiring around the engine bay is a bit messy - is this 'how they are'?

Final thing I need to sort is that upon filling up with petrol on Saturday - from 'fumes' as the old owner left it to brimmed, there was lots of fuel that came pouring out from somewhere. It stopped once it had reached a level. So, need to drop the tank I guess and check that out too.

Most people I've spoken too think I'm nuts selling a reliable Japanese sportscar for a van with a lumpy engine, but you lot understand, right?

Cheers,
Stu

[kevtherev]

The previous owner of my T25 converted the ignition from the original electronic ignition to traditional points -saying that "you know where you are with points". This seems to me (as someone with zero old-VW experience) to be a bit counter-intuitive. Is there a known issue with the DG's original ignition system that might have led someone to redo it?

no, none, the bloke is a "cock"..
points are maintainance heavy and unreliable.

Have you got the original distributor?

[ermie571]

We understand....of course we do....welcome.....put your hat on the rack, grab a pint / mug etc and sit down and join in!!

Points - yuck!!! Get the original back on. Replacement dizzy's available if yours is shot. Lots of folks on here to help.

Em
xx

oh and get to a meet or two....make sure you join the club as well as the forum....fox and goose in July local to you....M3 junction 5...
Apps court farm 19/20 June not too far (walton on thames)

Em
xx

[StuM]

Have you got the original distributor?

Yes, that was in the bag of bits.

I said to my Dad the comment about "you know where you are with points" - his reply was "yes, you do, normally at the side of the road"!

Thanks both

[ermie571]

usually you will find a 009 distributor and points as the idle was poor etc etc, and the "specailist" JK campers sell the 009 as a replacement....yes its fits, but its not right for the van.

If you put yours all back together, with new plugs, leads, cap, coil and rotor arm, and it still doesn't run right, you can get parts of the dizzy or even known good second hand.

Em
xx

[StuM]

Thanks again Em - I noticed JK listing that dizzy, which then made me think "wonder whether it's a known problem if conversions are sold by them"..!

Will deffo try make a meet. BTW - my folks are in Strood - so you might see our van around, look for the orange glow!

S

[kevtherev]

I said to my Dad the comment about "you know where you are with points" - his reply was "yes, you do, normally at the side of the road"!

very good
Ask away if you need help refitting the proper ignition system.

[ermie571]

You have pm.

Em
xx

[CovKid]

I said to my Dad the comment about "you know where you are with points" - his reply was "yes, you do, normally at the side of the road"!

Thanks both

Tell him he's a wise man. Had points on the bug and you always had to set gap to widest you could get within dwell range but it never lasts long....

[toomanytoys]

009.............. YUK.... the originals were not too bad, but anything made sine the mid 80's is usually utter pants.. totally unsuited to the wbx and should only be used as a last resort to get you out of trouble... biggest problem rarely does anyone understand how to set them up properly.. and you dont want to be messing witht he springs and weights inside unless you know what you are doing...

Refit the original stuff.. is the original coil in there too?

[StuM]

Thanks all again.

Yes, original coil is in the bag too. Will let you know how the refitting goes, and will deffo shout if there's any issues

[pionte]

Hi Stu, welcome to the forum

I am reckon we are a little nuts buying these vans I sold Bmw M3 to buy mine! And very rarely regret it!

The fuel leak is an interesting one, as exactly the same happened to me very recently when I collected a new camper for a friend of mine, when i filled it up i let it click then as I would usually due on my car I tried to squeeze a bit more fuel in, the result was a big puddle under the nearside ( the forecourt sloped slightly that way ) My first thought was 'bugger' maybe a rotted through fuel tank, this can happen on as there is a bit of a water trap on top of the tank. I spoke to the previous owner who was very helpful and said that he had never had an issue and pointed me in the direction of a couple of possible causes, one could be that on either side of the van under the wheel arches there are some expansion tanks that are linked to the fuel tank, apparently they are required to balance out the pressure equally, well the pipes on these are known to either pop of or perish. Another possibility and what I think may have been the cause was me trying to get a pint into a quart! ie trying to squeeze too much fuel into the tank.
I have never had enough money to brim my tank on my van so it has never happened to me before.

If it is the tank, then a new tank and parts comes out at around £130 so even that isnt a disaster.

Stick some pics up so we can see what yours looks like.

[StuM]

Thanks for that. I'm going to make the fuel tank etc the priority - don't want the new purchase up in flames! So, new fuel lines and close inspection of the tank and connections. Mine was exactly the same - filled til it clicked (£67 - ouch!) and then OCD kicked in and I tried to round up to the nearest pound!

I've put a pic up in the general section in my 'Newbie introduction' thread - only one I have at the moment - will give it a bit of a buff up and take some decent ones sometime soon.

One thing I'll say about the sports car ---> bus transition - I felt 100 times more relaxed cruising home in the T25.

[StuM]

Hi All,

I'm going to embark on the electronic ignition system refit soon, so am in the process of researching what's what. It would be of huge assistance if someone would be able to take a few photos in their engine bay (DG) to show the various wires, connectors, units etc that form the ignition system, just so I can get a high level view of how things go... or of course, if you know of a photo already out there in the interweb, that would be awesome too.

Many thanks,
Stu