Coil/plugs/ht leads question.

[Uncle Sheepy]

Hello,
After months of putting my van in the garage several times for what was thought as fuel issues (loss of power/rubbish up hills etc)
I changed my coil - different van!! (still not 100% but infinitely better).
my question is with running a failing coil for all this time would you think there may be degradation the HT leads/plugs etc?
Many thanks
Neil

[kevtherev]

No...no damage
And let that be a lesson to you.
Ask here first, before lining the garage owners pockets.

Now you have fixed it you need to undo any tweeks they have done to get it running right.
Also check you have fitted the correct coil.
There are two to choose from

[itchyfeet]

No, can't see how poor spark would degrade leads, probably the opposite, weak spark does less damage to insulation.
Having said that messing about with leads lots can weaken connections if you have been taking them on and off lots to fault find.

[Uncle Sheepy]

Cheers for that,
BUT......spoke to soon!
Running fine on the way to work....total crap out on the way back, feels like its running on 3/stalling/foot down and no power...
and then starts running ok(ish) once again!

Its the right coil for electronic ignition (vw heritage).
I had lots of crud in the carb last year, that's all been cleaned out a couple of times, in line filter is clean and it has a new fuel pump.
I'm now at a loss and the bloody garage is worse than useless!
Any ideas appreciated chaps..

[marlinowner]

Is there a good flow of petrol out of the tank if you disconnect the pipe from the filter? I would suspect crud in the tank and/or water in the petrol due to rusty tank or perished rubber around the petrol filler, maybe hoses to expansion tanks. I had problems like yours for ages until I fitted a new tank.

[Uncle Sheepy]

There seemed to be a decent flow when you split the in line filter but the water in the tank is a interesting thought.

[shepster]

Got to be worth changing the rest of the ignition system now, plugs, leads, rotor arm and cap.

[Uncle Sheepy]

Yep, got some plugs/leads. Rotor arm and cap 'look' ok but you never know!!
I changed plugs/leads/rotor arm/cap last year but that was before we had a disastrous trip to Holland. As I said. loads of crap in the carb, massive loss of power, massive amounts of black smoke from the engine etc
Van was hospitalized for 3 days and we were stuck in a hotel...it's never been the same since to be honest.
So, that could have done all kinds of mischief i suppose.

[Uncle Sheepy]

Ok, fitted new plugs and leads last night. Runs a 'bit' better.
So, to summarise...the van has new fuel pump/coil/plugs/leads and in line fuel filter looks clean.

I also split the carb last night and cleaned some gunk out of the float chamber and poked one or two valves through. I also trimmed with a razor a ragged internal corner piece of the seal (overhanging/not sealing anything) that seemed to be degrading and possibly causing said 'gunk'.
Put carb back together. van runs great on idle. Got my son to give it some rev's and observed what was happening - nothing- no petrol exiting small pipe(s) in upper carb (into the barrels). This cant be normal can it?
Cheers
Neil

[kevtherev]

I don't quite understand what you're trying to say.
When idling the fuel dribbles in, you won't see anything because it vaporises in the throat.
Same with the main jet, you might see a mist in the emulsion tube but only revving hard. Otherwise it just vaporises.
The only time you actually see fuel is when you depress the accelerator with the engine off.
You will see, or should see a healthy squirt of fuel from the transfer jet,

[Uncle Sheepy]

Ahh, ok.
I will have another look at that tonight. Transfer jet being bent tube? (sorry for being dim)

[kevtherev]

Ahh, ok.
I will have another look at that tonight. Transfer jet being bent tube? (sorry for being dim)

No.
It looks like a little tap halfway down the throat of the venturi
When you depress the accelerator you'll see the squirt

This jet stops the van hesitating when you call for power, it just chucks a bucket of neat fuel into the engine... so there is your fuel economy saving, no stamping on the gas means you accelerate slower but you will get there.....economically.

Please stop apologising, we all had to start somewhere, I was clueless myself once.

[kevtherev]

little tap is top left in the main venturi (square)
Ignore the other pipes this is an LPG converted engine

[Uncle Sheepy]

Brilliant, cheers.