Timing, backfiring and low idle.

[sciroccos at earthlink.net (Jim Ruffi)]

I'd suggest you check the wiring/operation of your frequency valve, however
the hunting may indicate that it's working...can you hear it buzzing next to
the fuel distibutor?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Edward Effinger" <Eeffinger@conestogac.on.ca>
To: "Scourge" <scourge@cogeco.ca>; "Brian Spinney"
<vw_85roccoZ400@hotmail.com>; <roccit_53@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca>
Cc: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: Timing, backfiring and low idle.


I'm fighting with my car doing a lot of that at this very moment.
Have played with the timing a bit as a noticed the plugs were all very white
rather than the usual light tan color.

I retarded the timing a fair bit and the car runs better, but the idle speed
is too low.
I could get the idle speed up by advancing the timing, but I'm concerned
about running too lean.

Played with the idle adjustment valve last night, it didn't see to respond
properly, although now
the car has absolutely no power at low idle, takes a bit before the revs
begin to build in order
to drive off.

I've checked for intake leaks by spraying WD40 around all the hoses and
didn't find any leaks
other than a very slight one on the air hose to the throttle body which I
snugged up.

The car also seems to miss/hunt at any speed and the exhaust pipe is quite
sooty looking.

Lots of mixed signals here.

I welcome any tips/tricks to sort this baby out.
Cheers
Ed '81S  1.7 with no cat and aftermarket exhaust and headers.