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Rosie is missing badly
Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 03:03 PM

For the last few weeks Rosie has developed quite a miss, at times she drives smoothly but other times when you accelerate she bogs down and splutters / backfires and lack of power.

Checked dizzy, leads and coil wiring but still seems to be an electrical issue

I will be getting her tuned soon just need to be able to drive her for rego inspection next weekend

Any ideas what it could be?

Camo - March 18th, 2012 at 03:09 PM

Hi Paul,

try replacing the condenser on the side of the distributor. Years ago I had one that tested ok, but the problem was solved when I replaced it and was doing like yours.

Kev

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 03:12 PM

I am wondering with all this rain because one day she was running fine two weeks later she was hard to start then mssing badly

shokwave2 - March 18th, 2012 at 03:15 PM

Coil may be on it's way out. If you can borrow a coil, swap them and see.

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 03:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shokwave2
Coil may be on it's way out. If you can borrow a coil, swap them and see.


Was wondering that could be the cause noticed an oily substance on the connections

pod - March 18th, 2012 at 03:18 PM

is it standard or electronic dizzy?

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 03:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pod
is it standard or electronic dizzy?


I think its standard

pod - March 18th, 2012 at 03:20 PM

so it has points?

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 03:22 PM

ummmmm has a rotar but now i dont think it does have points

68AutoBug - March 18th, 2012 at 03:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulc1964au
I am wondering with all this rain because one day she was running fine two weeks later she was hard to start then mssing badly


take the dizzy cap off and wipe inside the cap with WD40 or other dewatering fluid.. including the rotor...
also spray the end of the coil and take the lead out and wipe it too.. may be water or just condensation causing the miss.. in high tension area..
dust and moisture make a good short circuit..

You can change coils and try it... or dizzy cap.. and leads even..
have You checked the points gap? run a points file or wet & dry paper thru them.. a few times..
a condensor can also die at any time... although most do when they get hot..

cheers

LEE

PS: Painting the engine yellow will have NO effect at all.. lol
and painting a coil has no effect either..:lol:

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 03:45 PM

lee great tips will give that a try

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 05:51 PM

I hit the dizzy cap with wd40 and cleaned the rotor button and points. Then as i was about too put the cap back on the centre carbon tip fell out. Called my neighbour who is much more mechanical minded than me and he tightened the spring and put the tip back. He also noticed the points were pretty much closed so he opened them slightly. Car started ok but still seems to have a slight miss.

greedy53 - March 18th, 2012 at 06:17 PM

check the points gap a good placed to start

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 06:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by greedy53
check the points gap a good placed to start


seemed to be closed at the high spot, what feeler gauge do i need to use?

Smiley - March 18th, 2012 at 08:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulc1964au
Quote:
Originally posted by greedy53
check the points gap a good placed to start


seemed to be closed at the high spot, what feeler gauge do i need to use?


0.016" is the factory setting.



Smiley :)

Paulc1964au - March 18th, 2012 at 08:30 PM

thanks Adam from RAW is going to take a look at her tomorrow night so will let you know what he finds

Paulc1964au - March 19th, 2012 at 06:57 PM

Today I took rosie up to Adams workshop but before I started her I checked the wire terminals at behind the dash in case there was a loose wire. There were a couple that i pushed onto the spade lugs but nothing jumped out at being loose. She started first go and purred all the way to the RAW workshop. Adam checked her over and adjusted the timing which was out but not by far. Everything else looked fine and she ran great back home.

Maybe I didnt let the WD40 dry in the distributor cap yesterday or maybe Rosie has been upset with me knowing I have another VW on the way :). Hopefully the issue has resolved itself (fingers crossed)

BTW thanks everyone for their suggestions especially LEE who pmed me some advice as well