Author Topic: Only starts on 30deg timing advance  (Read 1633 times)

Offline Craigwilson

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Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« on: 01 August 2013, 17:47 »
Can anyone help me I've been at this for days, I have a 91 8v (digifant)and it only starts when the timing is well advanced, and when you turn it back it just splutters and dies and yes I've unplugged the blue sender it's making no difference.

Offline gazareth

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Re: Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« Reply #1 on: 01 August 2013, 19:53 »
see when you adjust the distributor to get it started. will it rev then? oh and was the rotor arm melted in any way? are you using an adjustable strobe? and did you have exactly the same problem with both distributors?  you didn't fit a distributor with mechanical/vacuum advance by any chance???
« Last Edit: 01 August 2013, 19:55 by gazareth »

Offline Craigwilson

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Re: Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« Reply #2 on: 01 August 2013, 22:59 »
When I advance the timing it runs but it sounds horrid and stutters but does rev, and no it was just sort of snapped but it was burnt looking and I have an adjustable strobe but i have it set properly And no there both the same distributer with the plug thingy on them and still the same problem, I've managed to get the timing set now (no idea how) but it runs very rough still, it misses and splutters and backfires and everything

Offline earlymk2

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Re: Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« Reply #3 on: 02 August 2013, 18:09 »
Have you checked the cam timing?

Offline gazareth

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Re: Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« Reply #4 on: 02 August 2013, 18:13 »
I would check plugs/leads/coil and ignition module. wait until its dark. start it up and have a look under bonnet for any stray sparks. also take cover off ecu and look there.

Offline danny_p

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Re: Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« Reply #5 on: 03 August 2013, 00:39 »
normaly i just twist the dizzy about till it starts and runs.

then adjsut by ear till it sounds right and is eager to rev.  then pull the temp sensor and set the timeing with the gun.



they do run like sh!t when being setup  very sluish to rev  but there is only 6 deg of advance on so it's going to be.  8v motor usally likes to idel with about 30 degress of spark on.   when you plug the temp sensor in rev it a bit the spark advance should go back to about that
all the VW's have gone bar 1.

Offline gazareth

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Re: Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« Reply #6 on: 03 August 2013, 13:59 »
normaly i just twist the dizzy about till it starts and runs.

then adjsut by ear till it sounds right and is eager to rev.  then pull the temp sensor and set the timeing with the gun.



they do run like sh!t when being setup  very sluish to rev  but there is only 6 deg of advance on so it's going to be.  8v motor usally likes to idel with about 30 degress of spark on.   when you plug the temp sensor in rev it a bit the spark advance should go back to about that
I just set mine up by the book and never had an issue with rough running. I think your problem lies elsewhere in the ht circuit. if you cant get it run at 6 degrees with the cts disconnected then the timing aint the issue.

Offline Craigwilson

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Re: Only starts on 30deg timing advance
« Reply #7 on: 05 August 2013, 18:32 »
I've gave it to a garage, there's something more serious than just timing