1600 suddenly popping and backfiring etc

jo_tas Custom Title Time!

1,547 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 19 Sep 2009, 4:00 pm

#736138

Hi
The other night when i was driving my Type 3, it suddenly died, so i tried starting it again, cranking and cranking until it backfired. Cranked again then it started and ran as normal. About 5 mins later, went to drive off from a set of lights, sudden loss of power, and same thing. Took ages to start with lots of backfiring etc. Its now sitting in the driveway and it won't start.
Any ideas? I had the coil tested and apparantly that is fine. It has electronic ignition. Is it possible that has packed it in?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as this one has me stumped!
Thanks,
Josie

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 19 Sep 2009, 5:18 pm

#736143

It sounds like ignition failure,if it had points I would guess points closed up or a dud condenser. If you still have the old distributor fit it and try,electronic ignition is not foolproof.

DannyW Commited Dubber

58 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 19 Sep 2009, 5:22 pm

#736145

I agree, or the dizzy hold down has come loose and spun, shifting the timing.

jo_tas Custom Title Time!

1,547 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 20 Sep 2009, 9:57 am

#736272

Cool thanks, will look into it.
Um, what was the thingy on the side of the distributor that i would have removed to fit the electronic ignition so i can get another? I remember there was something on there, i used the screw hole to run the new wires through..

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Sep 2009, 10:28 am

#736275

that is the condenser

Futue te ipsum!!!

jo_tas Custom Title Time!

1,547 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 20 Sep 2009, 10:54 am

#736279

Cool thought so.
I also forgot to mention that on the odd occasion that it does actually start and idle, it idles ok, but as soon as you rev it, it dies..

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Sep 2009, 4:22 pm

#736306

check the balance line between the carbies for leaks as well

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

jo_tas Custom Title Time!

1,547 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 21 Sep 2009, 12:05 am

#736417

vw54 wrote:check the balance line between the carbies for leaks as well

Whats the best way to check that?

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 21 Sep 2009, 6:50 am

#736429

have a look at the tubes give them a wriggle around or remove and inspect you will see if there cracked you would be better off removing the air cleaner as well

if there dual vacuum lines they tend to split and crack the single tubes are bit more ridge

you can replace with some rubber fuel injection hose if there damaged

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

jo_tas Custom Title Time!

1,547 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 21 Sep 2009, 11:34 am

#736463

vw54 wrote:have a look at the tubes give them a wriggle around or remove and inspect you will see if there cracked you would be better off removing the air cleaner as well

if there dual vacuum lines they tend to split and crack the single tubes are bit more ridge

you can replace with some rubber fuel injection hose if there damaged

Thanks! 🙂

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 22 Sep 2009, 12:23 am

#736581

jo_tas wrote:Hi
The other night when i was driving my Type 3, it suddenly died, so i tried starting it again, cranking and cranking until it backfired. Cranked again then it started and ran as normal. About 5 mins later, went to drive off from a set of lights, sudden loss of power, and same thing. Took ages to start with lots of backfiring etc. Its now sitting in the driveway and it won't start.
Any ideas? I had the coil tested and apparantly that is fine. It has electronic ignition. Is it possible that has packed it in?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as this one has me stumped!
Thanks,
Josie

Strange one Josie...

unless something in the distributor has come loose...
changing the timing...

or the distributor itself has come loose...
again changing the timing...

see if You can turn the distributor by hand..

I can always adjust My distributor without undoing the screw.
lol.. and its never moved...
I suppose if the screw was slightly more loose...
it may move...
or the bracket has moved..

just time the ignition and see how it goes...

it sounds like its still firing... hence the backfire etc..

it would have been easy if you had marked where the distributor usually was... [I've been going to do that..lol]

You can replace it with points and a condensor...
back to standard...

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 22 Sep 2009, 12:27 am

#736582

jo_tas wrote:Cool thought so.
I also forgot to mention that on the odd occasion that it does actually start and idle, it idles ok, but as soon as you rev it, it dies..

Hi again.

Do You have twin carburetors?

Now if you still had points ... it would have been easy to fix.. lol

also check inside the distributor cap...
for cracks etc.... rotor is still OK... not burnt out??

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

jo_tas Custom Title Time!

1,547 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 22 Sep 2009, 2:56 pm

#736643

I gave up and took it to a mechanics, apparantly its fixed now and will be going to pick it up shortly. Will let you guys know what the problem was!

squizy Thinking about another dub...maybe

4,082 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 22 Sep 2009, 3:58 pm

#736653

I reckon it was just out of tune - timing was out or something similar.

jsheppard64 Officially Full-On Dubber

323 posts · joined Mar 2008 · 23 Sep 2009, 12:02 am

#736748

I had the same problem with mine at one point. it turns out that one of the spark lead that goes from coil to dizzy was gone.
so i replaced the spark lead with the spare wire and duct tape it in just to get home.

jo_tas Custom Title Time!

1,547 posts · joined Aug 2004 · 13 Oct 2009, 2:09 pm

#740569

Turned out to be that the rotor button had carbon tracing on it..