Volkswagen: Valve cover gaskets, pertronix ignitor, ground wires

Question
Hello Ron,

Thank you for the response but I failed to mention that I have converted the ignition to electronic with a pertronix ignitor. But let me tell you what I have done since your last response. I had a set of points and condenser and re-installed them to see if the module was bad but it did not change the running of the motor. It still seems to have no power as if it is only running on two cylinders.

It is getting fuel...I have tested the coil..I checked the timing to see if it would advance up to 26 degrees at 4000 rpms and then come back down to around 6 degrees at TDC and it does so I feel that the distributor is ok....I checked the ground wires at the transmission and at the battery and both are clean and tight..I pulled one wire at a time out of the dist. cap with the motor running to see if it changed the running and it did. I also checked to see that there was fire between the wire and each cylinder on the cap and it was...
I pulled all the plugs, cleaned them and put them back...I made sure that the wires were not crossed in the firing order...
I really cannot understand how it could be running just fine one minute and then not running the next....Thank you...George
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Followup To

Question -
Ron, Thank you or the reply and all is well with no leaks, however when driving the car yesterday it was running fine one minute then when leaving a stop light it started missing as if it were not running on all cylinders. Checked the fuses, the wires are new and I swaped coils but no change. I don't want to think that it is the motor since it is recently new and I feel it has to be electrical but not sure what else to check..George
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Followup To

Question -
I recently became the owner of a sweet 1971 super beetle convertable. It has been many years since I have owned one and this one is for my 16 year old daughter who has always wanted an older "bug"... I changed the oil and adjusted the valves but when putting the valve covers back on with new gaskets they leak pretty bad. I replaced the bail on one side but it still leaks. Here is my question....which is better to use..cork or rubber gaskets?....how much if any sealer do you use and if so what kind?

Thank you.

Answer -
Hi George,

Cork is the best to use.   The sealer should only go where the gasket meets the cover. (maybe 4 dabs in each corner to hold it in place).

Coat the side that mates to the head with a light film of motor oil.  Providing that all mating surfaces have been cleaned off nicely, there should be no leaks.

If you have already replaced the bail, and it still leaks,get either a new or used valve cover.

That should solve your problem

Take Care,

Ron

Answer -
Hi George,

Check the ignition points.  When these get fouled up, they can cause a lot of problems.  Particularly, the symptoms you are describing.

Should not be a big deal to fix.

Best of luck,

Ron

Answer
Hi George,

Here are the next steps:

1) Check the compression on each cylinder.  Make sure you are over 75PSI in each one.

2) Make sure the valves are in adjustment.

3) Ensure that the intake manifold that goes to the engine is properly sealed.  Here is the best way to check this:

When the engine is running erraticaly, spray some starting fluid around where the intake manifold meets the engine.  If it smooths out, you know it's a bad gasket. (very common).   Make sure you have a fire-extinguisher on hand for safety.

4) Re-splice and place a new fitting on the ignition wire that goes to the "+" on the coil.  This could be causing a problem.

5) Remove the electronic ignition all together;  the stock ignition system is strong enough to run a Porsche.  It's over designed, and you are just asking for trouble with electronic ignition.

6) Make sure the carb is fastened tight.

Most likely, you are going to find an intake leak somewhere.  It seems like when the engine heats up, the metal expands and opens up a gap somewhere.

Keep me posted.


Ron