January 26, 2007

• Van Update

  Today I checked the Vanagon's fuel injectors. Two tests: Leak and spray pattern.

  The leak test: Turn the ignition on without starting (to pressurize the system), and let the injectors leak onto a paper towel. Only they didn't leak, at all. If I'd let it sit for an hour or something, it might have been different...

  The spray pattern test was less than conclusive because I was doing this alone. I unplugged the coil from the alternator and tried to start, letting the injectors (two at a time) spray onto another piece of dry paper towel. Decent round patterns resulted. Then I bent over with my cigarette...

  (Actually, I don't smoke.)

  I did this test shortly after driving around the block, and there was a lot of liquid gas in the mix chamber, so I had to wipe it all up before doing the test. No leak, good spray pattern, but liquid gas in the chamber? Makes no sense.

  And then something different happened when I started it: Black smoke. There had been blue smoke before, but not black. I thought: O crap! Just now, a cylinder head gasket popped or something. I thought this because I was dyslexic about exhaust smoke colors. I thought blue was gas and black was oil, but it's the other way around.

  I've been attacking the wrong problem all this time. Remember kids: Check Your Assumptions.

  Anyway: The black smoke stopped shortly and didn't return. It must have been the liquid gas.

  I consult the Google oracle with this newly re-straightened information in mind, and I read about valve guides not forming a proper seal. Valve guides? Oh crap. Head rebuild time! Valve guides or piston rings. Piston rings??

  Now in my heart of hearts, I've wanted to do this kind of rebuild. I've wanted to completely rip an engine apart and put it back together. I always thought there'd be a practice one somewhere. Like, I'd buy an engine and rebuild it at leisure. Maybe this will be my chance. Or maybe not.

  I'm going to adjust the valve rocker arms first, though. We'll use that as an opportunity to see what's fucked up about the valves and lifters without actually pulling the heads. A worn valve guide might make its presence known.

  • 12:49 am
  • 2 Comments