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Why would my car engine's points keep getting burned up?

I have a 1980 VW vanagon with 2.0L air cooled gasoline engine. The points keep getting burned up. I have replaced them 2x and put on new cap, rotor, spark plugs, wires and coil. I have had to replace the points twice now in 4 days because they keep burning--what makes this happen? it was happening before i replaced everything too so I was trying to eliminate the problem. anyone worked on a VW before and can tell me what is wrong or what else I need to do.

thanks for your time,

kat

9 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Replace the condensor.

  • 1 decade ago

    kat, I had the same trouble, only with tractor. The tractor came factory with a 6-vott system. Any how, I found that the past owner had switched the tractor over to 12-volt. I put the tractor back to 6-vott, which didn't help. What had to be changed, was the voltage regulator and the generator... For some reason, the voltage regulator wasn't putting forth the correct voltage, for the points. And, the generator, with one wire going to the distributor, well, eveidently wasn't putting forth the correct voltage, either. If your VW has either of these, try them.. Otherwise, buy yourself a Chilton Repair Manual, or a Haynes Repair Manual for your specific make and model. Hope this helps.

  • swett
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    The engine is burning oil because of the fact the motor oil is getting into the combustion chamber. that is going to frequently enter from 2 plausible materials. regrettably neither is inexpensive or easy to repair. the 1st plausible source is from worn or broken piston jewelry. the only restoration for it somewhat is an entire engine overhaul. the different source is from worn valve instruction manual seals. Oil leaks from the wonderful of the valves, previous the valve guides, and into the combustion chamber. the only restoration for that is to overtake the cylinder head. there is not any magic fluid you could upload on your oil to end this, distinctly whether it somewhat is employing as lots oil as you assert. the only actual restoration is to have the engine overhauled. you could anticipate some added subject concerns to return from this oil intake situation. Your catalytic converter is making an attempt to technique this burned oil. The catalytic converter will quickly fail and block up. you will see a extensive loss of potential whilst this takes place. do no longer anticipate your spark plugs to final very long. you would be able to desire to have subject concerns with fouled plugs and that they'll could desire to get replaced extra regularly. interior the advise time shop an exceptionally close watch on your oil point. shop some quarts of oil with you in any respect cases. verify you r oil point regularly, a minimum of every time you fill up with gas. whether it somewhat is extra beneficial than a million/2 quart low superb it off to the total mark, yet do no longer over fill. Over filling could reason an entire new set of high priced to repair issues.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Points and condensors are fossil technology.....cars in the 50s, 60s, 70s used that fossil technology.....go to an auto parts store and have them order for you an electronic distributor and coil and replace those points. You will get electronic ignition and never have to worry about points burning up ever again. any auto repair shop can install an electronic distributor for you. problem solved!!!!

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Check the voltage at the ignition coil positive wire. it should be about 6 volts with engine running. If it's over that the resistor is bad or someone has bypassed it.

  • 1 decade ago

    Either the condenser(thanks Mr Know-it-all!) OR you're leaving the key on while sitting to listen to the radio, etc.-This lets a small current run through the points,[yes, even when the key is on ACC'Y.] and if they're closed,(or close enough to spark) it'll fry the faces FAST! *OR* you have a short, letting power flow through your dist constantly.

  • 1 decade ago

    replace the condensor, should be changed each time the points are

  • 1 decade ago

    Bad capacitor or improper gap adjustment!

  • 1 decade ago

    its due to the condensor or if you have uprated the coil..

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