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VR6 Engine tech / Ignition Wire replacement?

« on: October 20, 2015, 10:54:54 am »

My ’99 VW EVC has been getting “misfire” codes - #2 and #4 cylinders.  Has happened twice and seems to happen when I “punch it” i.e. accelerate very rapidly.  Took it to the dealer again and it seems I will need new wires, plugs and coil.  The PO replaced all of that before I bought it, but looking at the invoice, the parts were very inexpensive 3rd party so, that is probably the cause.  If I was a DIY engine guy, maybe I would replace piece by piece, but I am not, so it just makes sense to just do it all at once.

So here is my quandary - VW still offers all the parts except for ignition wire for cylinder #5. My dealer did find 2 dealers in the PNW that had original #5 wires, but would not sell them (holding them in reserve - go figure). I prefer to stay with VW parts.  So my options are:

USE VW Wires - the #6 wire is the longest and should/may work for the #5, so my dealer would order the #1,2,3,4 wires and (2) # 6 wires.  If that does not work, he can return the wires.  But if he does that, then I/we will need to find a 3rd party set.

JUST USE 3rd party set - the question is which brand?  Online I can find prices ranging from about $70 to $400+.  Brand names include Denso, Standard, Beck/Arnley, Karlyn, Bosch, and NGK.

Does anyone have experience with any of the 3rd party brands and can make a recommendation?

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Show off your projects here! / Easy reading and work light

« on: August 24, 2015, 02:14:28 pm »

Well, this is not really a "project", but while I have upgraded most of the lights to LEDs, there are still some places where an LED reading light - fixed or portable - would be welcome.

1. My wife loves to read, sitting in the turned around passenger seat, in the evening.  Why didn't Winnebago put a reading light there?
2. Working on various things - either in the garage or on the road - I could really use a nice portable work light that I could attach or hang somehow. Holding a flashlight in my mouth isn't ideal. 

A couple of weeks ago I found this on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NPPBYM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01

Ordered them and they came a few days later.  2 of them for $11!  Have a magnet and a hook for hanging.  Really bright.  Flashlight or work light.  Only downside is you have to unscrew 3 phillips head screws on the back to change the batteries.

And between the headliner and the main cabin trim of the EVC, the trim is backed up by metal.  My wife can't wait to try this out on the next trip.  See attached photo

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Shiny things you no longer want / *FOUND A HOME* - "Repaired" EVC skylight

« on: August 16, 2015, 10:13:20 am »

Looking for a Home (i.e. Free),

Yep, I clipped my skylight on the garage. Fortunately, it forced me to take accurate measurements on clearance and replace it with a Fantastic Fan-Vent.

But before that I did "fix" the broken skylight.  It was only broken in 2 pieces and I was able to reassemble and, with methylene chloride (what you use to actually "weld" plexiglass together) and some backing pieces of plexiglass over the crack on the underside, get back in one piece.  Also fixed the snapped hinge piece.  I spray painted it all gloss black and put it back on and worked fine.

So if you need one to replace your broken one (it does look better than plastic duct-taped over the opening) I am just outside Philadelphia.  I can ship this, too (if you pay for shipping and handling - just need to find a box).  Will post photos if interested.

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Shiny things you no longer want / Looking for a Home - Original sliding door panel

« on: August 16, 2015, 09:47:05 am »

Looking for a Home (i.e. Free)

Just replaced the original sliding door panel on my 1999 EVC with a baltic birch panel (see Interiors if interested).

So now I have the old panel.  All the clips fell off on the back and most are lost (I have a few).  The panel is actually 2 pieces - one big piece (the one you see) and an interior spacer, about the length of the panel, that came unglued.  Some small holes where window shade tension spools were attached.

Yours if you want it - but too big to ship.  I live just outside of Philadelphia.  Will send photos if interested

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Interior! / Replacement Panel for the EVC Sliding Door.

« on: August 15, 2015, 12:55:12 pm »

I started this a few weeks ago and just finished this afternoon.

Attached is photo and a pdf with more photos and narrative of the building process