[T3] Leak Down Test and Rich Running

Sun Nov 6 00:26:56 PDT 2011

That's odd that my email came out all scrunched together on the other end.  When I composed it, I put line breaks in between each paragraph/section.  Hmm... Maybe I'l have to try double spacing.

Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions thus far.  I did replace the plug wires in July but I will recheck the resistance on all of them.  That would be interesting if the #2 wire was higher than the others in the set.

I'll have to check out the rockers, too and compare them.  Are there values I should be looking for, similar to the way the valves have a set clearance?  Or should they just match or be close to the other cylinders?  That's not something I've checked before, so I'm just not sure what I'm looking for.

Thanks again,

Jeremy 	

> From: topnotch at nycap.rr.com
> To: type3 at vwtype3.org
> Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 19:12:01 -0400
> Subject: Re: [T3] Leak Down Test and Rich Running
> 
> Ill bet the resistor in that spark plug connector has burned open.
> 
> Keith
> 
> 
> Top Notch Restorations
> topnotch at nycap.rr.com 
> http://www.a383ina68.addr.com/radiorest/main.htm
> 71 Squareback "Hothe"
> 65 Notchback "El Baja Rojo"
> 65 Squareback "Eggcrate"
> 87 golf "Winterat"
> 93 RX7 "Redstur"
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
> [mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of Jeremy
> Menzies
> Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 12:05 AM
> To: type3 at vwtype3.org
> Subject: [T3] Leak Down Test and Rich Running
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hello All,
> I was doing some diagnostic tests on my stock '71 FI Squareback last week
> and thought I'd see if anyone had some ideas/input on some of my findings.
> I'll try to cut a two month ordeal short.
> Story:I drove to San Diego (about 600 miles each way from SF) and on the way
> back the car started running poorly and losing power.  It felt as if the
> engine was out of balance and the whole car had a heavy vibration
> accompanying the power loss.
> Data:I finally got some time to take it to do some tinkering with my
> mechanic friend (who works on old air-cooled Porsches) and found that the #2
> cylinder seemed to be not firing (no response from pulled plug wires or
> injectors).  The plug was black all over the electrode and insulator which I
> took to be carbon fouling causing it to not spark or spark intermittently
> (the running problem is somewhat intermittent, driving OK then coming on and
> off).  So, I figure that's part of why I'm losing it but am not yet positive
> on why it's fouling in the first place.
> Next, I did a compression and leak down test with the following
> results.Compression:  #1- 135lbs  #2- 130lbs  #3- 140lbs  #4- 140lbs, which
> is all around about 5lbs lower than the last check, done in July.Leak down:
> #1~13%,  #2~45%!  #3~12%  #4~26%
> After cleaning the plug (which made it run way better) and a little run
> around, we hooked it up to the smog machine to find that it's running very
> rich.  It's showing at least 4.6-5.3% CO at about 850-875 warm idle rpm.  I
> read one D-Jet manual list 2.8-3.1% for '69-'70 and .7% for '72 (with no
> listing for '71 and '73).  So, I assume (and my friend was saying) that it
> should be around 1-2%.  This added some info to the puzzle and led me to
> concoct the following theory.
> Theory one is that #2 is leaking enough past the rings that, when combined
> with the very rich mixture, is fouling the plug and causing it to drop out.
> Along with this, #2 dropping is causing extra wear (26% leak) on #4 since
> it's right across from #2.  When #2 drops, #4 has to pick up more of it's
> slack than 1 and 3 and is that is taking more of a toll on #4.  This doesn't
> explain the rich running and cause of the lost cyl., though.
> I'm pretty positive the FI components are all systems go and none are
> failing outright.  I did a complete check of the FI components before the
> drive, went through the wiring harness checking resistance and cleaning, and
> rechecked the two temp sensors the other day, all with positive, in spec.
> results.  I've also replaced the voltage regulator and have a steady 13-14v
> at the fuse block (if I remember correctly).
> I'm now wondering what I can try to lean out the mixture and to see if
> anyone has any input on what could cause such high leak down on #2.  I know
> that some people (like the previous owner's mechanic) mess with the screw on
> the MPS but I don't want to get into that because it doesn't seem like the
> right approach.  I've also heard that putting a small washer on the temp
> sensor(s) can lean things out but I don't know that that's true.  Does
> anyone know of some more adjustments or tests I can do to lean it out?  Any
> other theories on why I'm losing 2?  Are #2 and #4 on a slippery slope that
> is going to bring the whole lot down sooner than later?
> Sorry for the length. I wanted to provide enough information to chew on,
> hope it's not too long.  Any and all input is welcome!
> Thanks,
> Jeremy
> 
>  		 	   		  
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