Re: [T3] 2 condensor questions

[Per Lindgren <lindgre@online.no>]

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Jim Adney wrote:

> Good question. In 35 years I've never had to replace a Bosch capacitor that has 
> failed electrically. Are yours Bosch? Is there something unusual about your 
> ignition system? What symptoms are you having that lead you to replace them?
They capacitors (got it right this time? Got that mixed up due to 
different name in Norwegian) are not Bosch, they are made by Intermotor 
(some UK company).

The symptoms is that the spark dies, so when I do the check as per the 
Haynes manual it has a strong sparkplug like spark at the points. The 
ignition system is stock, but I do have a new coil as well (also from 
Intermotor).

Now I've put on an older Bosch coil (dont trust that UK coil - reminds 
me of Lucas)  and I'm going to order a few capacitors at the local VW 
dealer (I'm using 73 type 1 capacitors with an extension made with the 
wire from an old capacitor). I'm also using a VW points, which 
interestingly enough said "Made in Turkey" on the package.

> It is possible that they see a larger voltage if you are setting your plug gap 
> to more than the usual 0.7-0.8mm. If you're doing that, it might explain the 
> failures. Similarly, if you use your plugs too long and let the electrodes get 
> all rounded then this raises the voltage stress on everything, too.'
The plugs are almost new NGK B5HS, gapped at 0.7 mm. The points are set 
at 0.4 mm. The last set of points that I pulled out was burnt yellow to 
white and had a serious heat development due to the bad capacitor.

Picture of bad points: http://perlindgren.tripod.com/points.jpg

It is a bit hard to see in this picture, because the light wasnt the 
best. Using the flash would overlight it a lot, everything turned out 
white.

PerL
73 Variant L

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