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Starting and Breather System

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Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·

#884099
Ok. So I ran into a little issue today with Alyce. Went to start her and the engine wouldn't turn over, turns out to be hydraulically locked. The engine has filled up with water in the heavy rain that we had this morning. No biggy, dropped the oil/water and replaced. Pulled the plugs out and turned the engine over to blow the water out of the cylinder.

I also dried and refitted the plugs. But now the poor thing won't start. Turns over fine but only sounds like it's firing on one cylinder every once in a while. I've checked all the plugs by removing them and checking for spark by earthing them against the exhaust with someone turning the engine over. All plugs have spark. The Dissy cap is dry on the inside and I'm running electronic points. The coil is mounted up on the firewall so it's dry too.

Any ideas?


Also, as far as I can tell the water got in through the breather filter here.





The carbies and well covered and were dry so it's not getting in there. The breather is the only other spot.
It's not quite completely covered by the engine scoop.





I've never been terribly happy with the breather system and have been looking to upgrade it for a little while now.
I'm thinking of welding a fitting into each rocker cover at the back here somewhere.





Then running a hose up into the base of the air cleaner. On the RHS I'll fit a T fitting and run a hose to it instead of the little filter.





And then the same on the left into the LHS air cleaner base.

Just a few questions, roughly what size hose should I be running for the breather system. Is 1/2" big enough.
And if I fit something along the lines of what I have described above can I do away with the little duck bill valve on the end of the breather tube? I only see this as a place for contamination to enter the engine mud/sand/dust etc.
Surely with the valve covers breathing this won't be required?
PS engine is a 2054cc

Thanks for looking.


Smiley 🙂
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#884106
Get a filler end piece from a late alternator stand as they dont have the "down tube breather".......yes 1/2 inch should be fine and the system you describe with T peices to the carb fine.

Pretty much replicating the standard breather system.

Just make sure you have no loops/low pints in the drain/breather lines so they can self drain and thus also do their job as breathers.

Have a look in my thread at how we brazed splash plates over the breather holes and added tabs whilst there to stop the gaskets sucking in too

always thinking Smiley, good stuff, luv ya work!


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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#884114
Yes

the breather filter is the problem...

water can go into it...

I just run a 1/2 inch hose down under the engine and the other 1/2 hose to the air cleaner
but My engine is a 1600 single port..

with an engine Your size 1/2 inch may still be OK from each tappet cover..
I can't remember ever seeing any larger hoses..

many run a breather box with the filter on it..

LEE

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

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,787 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#884116
if it "locked" then the water must be coming in from the carbies to get to the cylinder(s)??
If it came in through the breather it would only be water in oil??
It has happened to be and it was the carbs.
It gets through the filters and under the base of the filter and straight in the cylinder
Futue te ipsum!!!

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·

#884119
hellbugged wrote:Have a look in my thread at how we brazed splash plates over the breather holes and added tabs whilst there to stop the gaskets sucking in too
Love your work. But now I have one problem, I'm reading through your thread again!! I could be trapped for hours!!!

Is there any reason that you brazed instead of mig welded? Cause I think I could Mig some stuff up in no time. Car is actually due for a valve set in about 300 miles so might be a good opportunity to do the rocker covers even if I don't use them immediately.

68AutoBug wrote:I just run a 1/2 inch hose down under the engine
I hope that this is filtered.


Smiley 🙂
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Stanley I guess the reward is in the doing of it

4,523 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#884121
Bizarre wrote:if it "locked" then the water must be coming in from the carbies to get to the cylinder(s)??
If it came in through the breather it would only be water in oil??
It has happened to be and it was the carbs.
It gets through the filters and under the base of the filter and straight in the cylinder
I had the same thought

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·

#884123
Bizarre wrote:if it "locked" then the water must be coming in from the carbies to get to the cylinder(s)??
If it came in through the breather it would only be water in oil??
It has happened to be and it was the carbs.
It gets through the filters and under the base of the filter and straight in the cylinder
Good point. It was actually in both, so must be getting in through the filters too. Mattberry has suggested that I make some filter hats in my build diary to combat this problem.


Smiley 🙂
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Stanley I guess the reward is in the doing of it

4,523 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#884125
Good suggestion matt

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,787 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#884126
looks crap - but maybe some blue ice cream containers over the filters??
Gives space for the air to come up
Futue te ipsum!!!

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#884127
Hope you havent bent a conrod trying to start it 🥲


matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#884130
Mig welding Daimo tabs is fine if thouroughly cleaned/desplatered. 🙂
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·

#884136
Craig Torrens wrote:Hope you havent bent a conrod trying to start it 🥲
I don't think that I have. It still turns over smoothly and doesn't have any nasty vibrations.
I guess I'll find out for sure once I get it running.


Smiley 🙂
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.