Re: I can't afford to fix FI

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm.jf.intel.com>]

If you look at the stuff that needs replacing for FI, and you can replace the 
parts yourself (I think the majority of FI volks will agree that it's fairly 
easy) it will be less expensive than removing all of the FI components and 
wiring (several of us have had smoke/fires due to unremoved FI wiring in our 
carbed bodies), buying the manifolds, carb(s), fuel pump, and installing all of 
them and tweak it all.  If you're willing to do much of the work not only will 
you be able to afford fixing it but you will have the satisfaction of 
accomplishment, the knowledge that it was done as correctly as you could do it, 
it'll make any other tasks that much easier AND you can impress your friends (Oh
yeah?!  Well, can YOU fix your fuel injection by yourself? [as you point to 
their modern car and hope to God they don't realize the age differences!] :)  If
you really want to go to carbs, however, then do it as you are the one who needs
to be satisfied, not us.  But please remove everything carefully and let us know
so we can salvage it from you and put it to good use :)

Where do you live?  There may be some one close by who could help.  Do you have 
the Bentley and/or The Idiot's Guide and/or the Haynes shop manuals?  Get one of
them if you don't!! because we can only help you so far and the rest is up to 
you.

One of the easiest things for you to do is adjust the valves, timing and point 
gap.  Replacing all of the vacuum hoses/lines on the engine can really make a 
difference as any leak can degrade performance AND you can do it yourself!  Shop
around for parts.  You *may* be able to get them cheaper than your mechanic -- 
check out a junk yard, many can attest to the fact that you just never know...

Give us some details on the engine, the problems and where they occur (on start 
up only, rattles up hills, etc.).  How old is the engine?  Does it need to be 
rebuilt (if so switching to carbs won't help because it will still need to be 
rebuilt)?  What's the compression for each cylinder?  You can never have too 
much detail.  Which spark plugs were soaked in gas?  This generally means an 
injector is stuck open -- you can repair/replace this yourself.  I'll let the FI
gurus detail the FI stuff for you, just giving an example.


     Toby Erkson, air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L
     '75 Porsche 914 1.8L
     Portland, Oregon, http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8501/

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: I can't afford to fix FI
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    12/1/97 6:03 PM

I really wish I could fix my FI but I do not have the money to fix it.  My
mechanic has tried to figure out the problem quite a few times.  Besides, all
of these sensors and regulators cost at least 100 bucks each.  There is no
way that I would be able to find the money to fix whichever one it is and
still be able to pay for other expenses that I have.  I am still trying to
pay for Homer in the first place.

Maybe, you all can help me.First of all,  The car is running rich. Also, I
took out the spark plugs and they were soaked in gas.  why is it doing this?
 Is there a way to narrow down what could be wrong with it?