Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone can tell me, how do you know when you've lost a spark plug? just got them replaced (as the reason my car wouldn't idle before) but the mechanic told me that the ones that are in there are probably not strong enough for my worked engine.

on the second run since then, something blew back there (i'm a chick, sorry if i'm being a little vague) and now the oil pressures all over the shop, and getting flat spots on acceleration or on any sort of incline. what have i done? it couldn't be the sparks that quickly could it? Cheers? :bounce

well you can pull the plug out and hold it near the blck and get a spark to check if it will work. But carying oil pressure.... let me have a think, or some with knowledge will answer.

Not enough info to give a diagnosis but I wouldn't be driving it until someone had had a look at the engine, particularly with the oil pressure all over the shop.

PS. Being a cynic, the first place to look for something that's gone wrong is the last thing that was worked on!

[Edited on 29-10-2004 by mnsKmobi]

bet bet if its not to far get it to the mechanic and get to have a look at it.

I took it to a different mechanic this time (not a vw specific place, but i was told he was pretty cluey). Its an 1835cc in a 68bug (thats what it has on all the engineers certs, etc). This mechanic said just by looking at it, it was probably more powerful than what i told him. but i didn't think you could get it bigger than 1835 in a vw engine.

It is running rich, blowing a black smoke. oil level is fine, did notice it went black rather quickly since last changed the oil...

Looks like its going to be a long and painful process getting him running right... notha stupid question - so i'm likely to blow the engine if the oil pressure is all over the place, like from 20 up till nearly over the gauge? Cheers guys

is the oil pressure changing all the time or only when revving/accelerating????

I would strongly suggest that you take it to an aircooled VW specialist.

I am not quite sure how he could tell just by looking that it is more 'powerful' than 1835cc as the external differences are negligible. Unless it's a type 4 motor, and yes you can get alot bigger than 1835.

Yes, you can blow the engine if the oil pressure drops too low.

If your in brissy there are heaps of choices

Volkword, Micks motors, Southside VW, Leons Motor (personal Choice), Volvo and VW centre, Pheonix Engineering.

What colour is the car? just trying to work out if I have seen it aorund before.

[Edited on 29-10-2004 by BiX]

Its a metallic blue manx. it hasn't been out for a bit just because i haven't had the dosh to get him fixed. alot of his probs have been simply stuf, i just don't have the man hands to do it myself.

i'm on brisbanes southside... gabba area

I was going to say - no need to apologise for being a chick - but look at the responses you got. Nice to see that guys are still knights in shining armour - go boys.... (oops some of the responses may be from chicks too)

oil pressure is a function of engine revs so that may explain why its all over the shop. If the car seems to be running harder then I'd check that the mechanic did not give the car to much advance (common mistake). A 1835 is not a crazy engine so there should be no problems with spark unless it has a turbo hanging off the side or it has some other issues. I'd start with point/timing and then get someone to jet your carbs as if an engine runs to rich it will very quickly shit itself as you will wash the bores causing excessive friction/heat in the bores. Find a place with a dyno and an air/fuel meter to do the service.

yeh I was going to say exactly what 555bug said :duh

Cheers guys. Shall do. anyone know dyno tuner off the batt in brisvegas? cheers

Rejet and dyno tune...good idea.
Problem solve first would be a better idea.
Check that the noodle didnt swap any leads around.
Check oil pressure switch is in tight and connectors are all ok.
Take a plug out one at a time and see if it has fowled or raw fuel is sitting on it.
Run a few simple checks before you go n pay some one 100 bucks an hour just to spin up ya back wheels then come to you an tell you"she's a bit out o tune"