Timing Marks on Impeller

[Tidybuoy]

Is it possible that the previous owner removed the impeller & re-installed it incorrectly (is that even possible).

When I try to time my car, I am way off on the timing marks.

I removed & pluged the vaccum lines from the distributor. When looking for the timing mark, the car runs ok at the impeller brace, but when I adjust the timing to the 3rd/4th impeller blade to the right (where 7.5tdc is supposed to be) the car will barely run.

I tried the 3500 rpm time at 27.5 tdc but it's not possible to keep the car running when the "proper" timing marks are in view.

I'm wondering if maybe the impeller has been removed (in a past life) and not lined up correctly when re-installed. I would think that would not be possible but (who knows - it's German).

Any advice anyone might have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, in advance.

Vern

[jamcleod]

probably cannot mis-install fan unless the PO purposely defeated the alignment pin. there is an alignment pin on the hub to insure proper installation. you have a 1.8L? stock FI or carbs. the 27 degrees BTDC is for a 2.0L d-jet, not 1.8L L-jet.

[Howard H]

Vern:

As I recall, there is a locating pin for the impeller, so it can't be mis-aligned.

You may want to take a look at the "914 Valve Adjustment Made Easy" tech article here on the PP website:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_valve_adjust/914_valve_adjust.htm

It lays out some other ways to confirm that you have located TDC for piston #1, even if the timing marks have been painted over, etc.

If you confirm your marks, and still have the same problem, I'm thinking that the distributor drive could have installed incorrectly (if the engine was ever rebuilt). This would put things 180 out of phase.

Maybe some of the big boys here on the bbs can give you some other (better) ideas.

Good luck.

Howard

[dimmer]

I just found out what to do
warm up car
ensure it is idleing at 800 -900
remove vacuum hoses
turn idle down to 900 again, it will jump up
set timing
reinstall hoses
turn idle back to 800-900

Thanks to JWworkshop
I have been having the same problem

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I would suggest plugging the vacuum hoses when you remove them. Air leaks are not good, even the small ones through those small hoses.

The fan "should" be able to only go on one way. The timing marks "should" at least be close to correct. I'm not sure off the top of my head what could be going on...

--DD

[Griznant]

If the fan was replaced with a later Bus/Vanagon fan it will not line up. Trust me on this one, and don't ask me how I know. Not all T4 fans have the same timing mark location, just so you know.

If the fan is the intended one for the car, it is lined up properly, and the fan hub keyway hasn't shifted/sheared then it should be spot on. If not, check the things I just mentioned.

Later,

G

[Tidybuoy]

In reply to Jamcleod's post:

The car is a 1.8 with Fuel Injection. I planned on timing the car to 7.5btdc at 950rpm (not the 27.5 @3500rpm) which is what my book tells me for L-Jet 1.8's. I'm also basing the timing marks based on a Pelican Tech Article but, it looks like the car will only stay running when it's set at about 34btdc (right around the point of the main brace on the impeller).

The other thing that I notice is that the distributor will only turn so far before the Vaccum cannister starts to hit the fan shroud & so it won't go any farther.

I thought that maybe all of the plug wires were "shifted" one hole to the left or right so I shifted them all but then the car would not start at all.

The last thing, I recently replaced the o-ring seal on the distributor (and cleaned out the whole interior of the distributor). At this time, I discovered that the paper-type shims at the bottom of the distributor shaft were broken & missing - I currently have no shims at the bottom of the distributor shaft - could this be part of my problem?

As far as getting the distributor re-installed properly: I am confident that it is installed exactly as it was (right or wrong).

The car runs good but not great. I feel that it dosen't have enough pickup. My old VW with a 1735 seemed faster. I also just installed a Petronix Ignightor which definately smoothed out how the engine runs & seems to run better than with points - I just want my timing perfect.

Thanks in advance for any help all you experts out there have.

Vern

[jamcleod]

in response to griznant: i think vanagon fans and 1.8L 914 fans should be the same. my 81 vanagon is timed at 7.5 deg BTDC, same as my 1.8L 914. i am open to corrections as you have some experience in that area.

to tidybuoy: i think the shims at the base of the dist drive gear are so that the gear doesn't wear out the case and also may be required to set "height" (?) of gear so that gear teeth mesh properly. if your vacuum advance pot is hitting something, i think your drive gear in mis-installed. the slot in the gear should make an angle of 12 degrees with the line in the case. look in any good reference re: the installation of the dist drive gear.

these are shade tree p-car wanna be opinions, and are open to corrections

[jamcleod]

another thing just to make sure..... what is your engine serial number?