<VV> what causes a dead cylinder

[shortle]

"To me a list of what might cause a particular problems is a shopping list of 98% un-necessary purchases and parts replacements unless it is backed up with a list of how to test if a problem really exists on my engine"


Some of us like to replace common wear parts periodically to keep from being stuck on the side of the road. It is referred to as PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. All tune up parts are common wear items and certainly don't cost much. And these "old, good used" parts also at that time can assist in diagnosing problems henceforth they become equipment. 
Now my dad would say he doesn't need a radiator hose if it was not leaking coolant on the ground. Or a fan belt if it was not snapped. He was from a different era where a "buck was a buck" (depression era).
Timothy Shortle in Durango Colorado 81301 (where a buck is still a buck)
-----Original Message-----
>From: djtcz at comcast.net
>Sent: Apr 3, 2011 3:27 PM
>To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
>Subject: Re: <VV> what causes a dead cylinder
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: Randolph Perry < rmperry.65 at gmail.com > 
>To: vv-help < vv-help at corvair.org > 
>Sent: Sun, Apr 3, 2011 7:40 am 
>Subject: What causes a dead cylinder? 
>
>
>I have found another nice car locally (read that near Augusta, GA., where I currently reside), 1966 Corvair Corsa, 140/4, fresh paint, new tires, new weather strips, fuzzies, carbs rebuilt, compression checks on all cylinders good, just one problem, number 1 cylinder is skipping, took the plug wire off while running, didn't make a difference in the way the engine ran. Any suggestions? Even if I don't end up buying the car, would like to help the gentleman that currently owns it out! 
>
>>================================ 
>To me a list of what might cause a particular problems is a shopping list of 98% un-necessary purchases and parts replacements unless it is backed up with a list of how to test if a problem really exists on my engine. 
>
>
>What would happen if a spark plug was soaking wet with gasoline, or had a heavy layer of conductive deposits, or deposits that filled the plug gap? 
>What would be a good test for that? 
>
>
>Where would the spark go if someone removed the wire from a fuel soaked/shorted plug with the engine running? 
>
>
>What would happen if the distributor cap had a "carbon track" that lead to ground from the plug terminal that fed one cylinder? 
>What would be a good test for that? 
>
>
>What would happen if the distributor shaft and bushings were so worn that the points cam could move sideways far enough the points would not open, and the loading on the distributor shaft made that happen when the rotor was point to cylinder number 1? 
>How could I test for that? 
>
>
>What if the points were badly worn, so the point gap was about 0.002 inch, and 1 points cam lobe was about 0.002 inch shorter than the others? 
>How could I test for that? 
>
>
>What would happen if a plug wire had an internal break in the conductor that made it impossible for the spark to reach the spark plug? 
>What would be a good test for that, and differentiate between a loose fitting wire boot that let conductive mung form a film across the cap or along the wire to some metal surface? 
>
>
>If there was a significant intake leak (carb base gasket or some vaccuum fitting) the idle mixture near one cylinder could be much leaner than the others, and might even be so lean it was incombustible. Is there a test for that? 
>
>
>I know you said the compression was "good," which would tend to eliminate 2 of the next 3 possibilities 
>What would happen if an exhaust valve had burned to the point it would not seal? 
>What would happen if a valve had been adjusted so tight the hydraulic lifter was holding a valve off the seat? 
>What would happen if a cam lobe and lifter was wiped out, so that valve just barely rose off its seat? 
>
>
>Was the compression check the highly questionable thumb-over-the-hole variety, or measurements made with an official gage? 
>VW dealers used to measure and printout instantaneous starter motor current draw as a means to evaluate compression. 
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