Distributor Contact Breaker Points - Volkswagen Beetle 1972 Maintenance And Repair Manual

Distributor Contact Breaker Points
The- distributor contact breaker points play a vital role in the ignition system of your
Volkswagen The correct functioning of the ignition system in lorn is important tor the
complete burning of the luel/air mixture anej. therefore, effects co a great extent the ex¬
haust emission Before we go on to describe how to make adjustments to the points, or
replacing them, or changing the ignition liming, we would like to make sure that you are
propedy prepared
During the operation of the engine, a certain amount of materiel is transferred from one
point to the other, This transferring reduces efficiency Therefore, points should ba
checked
every 6.000
miles and cleaned, adjusted, or replaced if necessary
To effectively adjust the ignition timing after it was changed land it will change if the
position of the points are changed by cleaning, adjusting or replacing}, you will need a
stroboscopic liming light, a dwell meter and a tachometer
These instruments can be purchased at most automotive supply stores We urge you not
to attempt the adjustment with a make shift arrangement. Unless you are properly
equipped, this work should be dona by your Volkswagen dealer or other properly equipped
workshop.
Toots
Pocket knife
Piece of cardboard (matchbook cover
or business card}
1, Checking Contact
Breaker Points
a. Remove distributor cep by reteas-
ing retaining clips and lifting cap
off. Pull rotor up off the shaft,
b Check contact breaker points. If
they are highly polished and show
a gray or silvery coloring, the
points are good,
c If points are burnt or have a bluish
coloring, re piece them. This con¬
dition indicates a bad condenser
or ignition coil. Most of the tune
it will be the condenser that is
bad. See Condenser, page 5D.
d. If points have dirt. oil. or grease on
thorn, scrape them clean Use the
pocket knife blade Do not use a
file or emery cloth. After scraping,
clean points by sliding cardboard
between them while pressing
them slightly together.
MMtmttafs Need
sd
None
NOTE
Whenever point gap (dwolD is ad¬
justed or pants are replaced, ig^
nition timing must be checked
and adjusted
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