[T3] Idling Oddities...

[Ken Main Mail]

Jim,

Working on the 71 T3 Square back 1600 FI auto.  Getting it ready for next
year in Colorado at the T3 gathering.

I am about to put the correct distributor you sent me last year.  When I
look at the inside the distributor you sent me where 2 short springs do
something centrifugal (I think),  one of the springs is stretched.  Can I
use my old distributor spring?  I still have my old one running the engine.
I get perfect start, perfect idle cold or warm.  I notice a lot of black
smoke inside the tailpipe and spitting carbon a black spray. Big thing is I
cannot step down on the gas pedal it seems to sputter and hesitate and
shakes. I barely gently depress the gas pedal and it goes real slow and of
course it does pick up speed.  Step down, more throttle it boggs down, no
power. I need a heads up on where to start to resolve this problem.  Thank
you.  Does being at 5000 feet elevation have anything to do with this?

Kenny Rogers

-----Original Message-----
From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
[mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of Jim Adney
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2011 2:38 PM
To: type3 at vwtype3.org
Subject: Re: [T3] Idling Oddities...

On 19 May 2011 at 14:14, J. Jonik wrote:

> [Type III 71  FI  Standard.]
> 
>     Car's been running great since all the troubles with fuel etc...and
after replacing the Control Box.
> 
>    But--- the idle is a few notches too high.   I'd lower it, of course,
except that once in a while, only noticeable in stop-and-go traffic,  the
idle goes down to where sometimes the oil light flickers.  If idle was
lower, it would probably stall.  Hasn't yet.
> -   Oil level is good.
> -   Cold start switch etc disconnected.
> -   The Temp Sensor on the Air Distributor is disconnected.
> -   This has happened when car is both cool and after fully warmed up
after long drives.
> -   No symptoms when driving along....just when coming to a stop, foot off
gas.

That sounds fine, except for the temp sensor, which I would 
reconnect. Leaving that off may be making it run rich, which will 
lead to excessive ring and cylinder wear and poor gas mileage. How's 
your gas mileage?  

>  I haven't started to double check for basic things (timing, hoses,
> etc.) but what are best guesses for a cause? 

Check your throttle cable path: Make sure the routing is good, 
letting it drop all the way back every time you take your foot off. 
You can do this with the engine off and a friend in the driver's 
seat. Pay special attantion to where the cable leaves the pan and 
where it enters the engine.  Also check around the gas pedal for 
obstructions.

It's possible that this is all perfectly normal, except for the fact 
that you've set the idle with the engine cold. It has to be set 
completely warmed up so that the aux air reg is closed.
-- 
*******************************
Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
*******************************

_______________________________________________
VWType3.Org mailing list - type3 at vwtype3.org
http://lists.vwtype3.org/listinfo.cgi/type3-vwtype3.org
Contact gregm at vwtype3.org if you need help with the list.