Maintenance of Vac Dist

[kkrup62 at hotmail.com (Karl Krupke)]

Hi all,
    This sounds like a problem I had years ago with the climate control 
vacuum distributor on my old Mk1 ( a '79 w/ factory A/C). It had become 
sticky to operate, and was also leaking slightly.
    I took it apart by removing the C-clip on the top; after that I think it 
was either three or four total layers of molded plastic sandwiched in a 
stack. I cleaned it thoroughly, shot a little aerosol carb cleaner through 
all the small pinholes. At reassembly, I smeared on a LIGHT film of Castrol 
Rubber Grease (hmm... do I hear someone giggling?). Probably any light 
weight grease will do the job, but it must be applied very lightly.
    The grease works as a lubricant, so the layers move more easily; also 
you get the fringe benefit of better sealing from external atmosphere (ie, 
no vacuum leaks to outside the distributor). You can also if needed put a 
very thin shim under the C-clip to tighten the layers to each other (which 
will help prevent leaking, but not be a friction problem 'cuz all the layers 
are greased, yes?).
    Two caveats; 1) before disassembly draw a line down one side of ALL 
layers, or maybe scratch with a scribe. Depends on what you're planning to 
use to clean. I'm not sure if it's possible to reassemble misaligned, but 
why take a chance?
    And 2), if using an aerosol solvent, wear safety glasses or goggles. 
Some of those pathways will direct the solvent right back at your face. 
Which really hurts.
    Hope this helps.

Karl

>From: julie@menloparkrandd.com
>To: "Dan Bubb" <jdbubb@verizon.net>, "Mad Matt" 
><mr_bubblehead74@yahoo.com>,"Scirocco List" <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
>Subject: OT:Re:  Maintenance suggestion.
>Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:02:07 +0000
>
>Dan wrote:
> >A well lubricated one that moves freely is a joy! ;^)
> >Dan
>
>I dont know what motivated me to giggle at this. Maybe a terrible need to 
>get laid. Hey, it a form of maintenance....
>
>
> >From: "Mad Matt" <mr_bubblehead74@yahoo.com>
> >Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 4:37 PM
> >Subject: Re: Maintenance suggestion.
> >
> >
> >> Are there any O-rings or seals that can be replaced
> >> while the distributor is open? I have definitely seen
> >> a couple of those that didn't distribute vacuum
> >> properly.
> >>
> >> --- Dan Bubb <jdbubb@verizon.net> wrote:
> >>
> >>> This weekend I discovered that my recirculation flap
> >>> wasn't getting vacuum while I was attempting to get
> >>> the AC working on one of my cars.
> >>> Turns out the vacuum distributor was gummed up and
> >>> didn't want to turn easily, so it wasn't moving all
> >>> the way to the ends of it's travel for either
> >>> recirculation or defrost.
> >>> Taking it apart, cleaning it and relubing it
> >>> restored free movement. A pretty easy job once you
> >>> get the upper center console out. While I was in
> >>> there I also noticed that the heat control lever
> >>> didn't move freely and forcing it was really
> >>> stressing the plastic pivot of the control unit.
> >>> The reason I mention this, aside from functionality,
> >>> is that these parts break pretty easily and the
> >>> vacuum distributor is over $100 and the whole
> >>> heater/AC control is over $400!!!! I've seen a lot
> >>> of broken ones!
> >>>
> >>> Anyway, just a maintenance suggestion. If your
> >>> levers don't move freely fix them before you break
> >>> them. The replacements are expensive and were only
> >>> used on A1 chassis, so availability is going to be
> >>> limited.
> >>> Dan
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Scirocco-l mailing list
> >>> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> >>> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> __________________________________________________
> >> Do You Yahoo!?
> >> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> >> http://mail.yahoo.com
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Scirocco-l mailing list
> >> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> >> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Scirocco-l mailing list
> >Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> >http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> >
>
>_______________________________________________
>Scirocco-l mailing list
>Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
>http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l