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loss of power

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lenny1870 Slammed & Awesome Dubber

84 posts · joined Mar 2012 ·

#976239
engine was running relatively well, I replaced the cap and rotor on my distributor as they were burnt out. When the new ones went on, the engine would turn over (the starter works) but wouldn't start/run. Put the old stuff back on and again same problem. I replaced the coil as i wanted to anyway and tried again...wouldn't go. Cleaned up the plugs and reassured the wires were in the right firing order and finally a start.. had some smoke so adjusted the idle and got it idling nicely...

Finally decided to give it a go. Upon acceleration up my driveway, the engine dies. So I pulled the fuel pump apart, it was a bit dirty, so cleaned most of it out and put it back together (no obvious damage) .

Gave it another go and I managed to get out of my driveway, definitely does not have enough power and doesn't sound right. Help???

I seem to dig my self into problems all the time...should have left the burnt cap and rotor...it was running fine then
Because there is no other car like a Dub 😂

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#976242
What cap and rotor is on now?

Did the little carbon brush fall out of the cap when putting it on?

If it a vacuum dizzy?
Did you knock the vacuum tube off the carb?
Futue te ipsum!!!

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 ·

#976244
You said the rotor and cap were burnt out, did you touch the points at all ?? And what about the capacitor/condenser on side of distributor ??

Kev
I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

lenny1870 Slammed & Awesome Dubber

84 posts · joined Mar 2012 ·

#976251
I have replaced the original one with the same cap (same model bosch cap (1235 522 027) ) and the little carbon brush is still on it i think...i'll double check that. It is a vacuum distributor and i made sure all the tubes/wires and leads are in position. I pulled the points out and filed them flat because i didn't have the proper spare (which I will get) but the point gap is correct now, that's when the car started for the first time after installing everything. The points and condenser are relatively new, a few months old, but there was slight pitting which i cleaned up with the file.

The engine starts and idles fine, but as soon as i take off, there is next to no power (acceleration) and it doesn't sound like it did before... a bit muffled in comparison
Because there is no other car like a Dub 😂

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

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#976255
Have you reset the timing ?

This needs to be done if you have reset the points gap 👍


lenny1870 Slammed & Awesome Dubber

84 posts · joined Mar 2012 ·

#976334
cleaned the plugs really well and set the gap on them all. after putting them back in...I realised the small screw which secures the points was striped of it's thread and so wouldn't tighten enough..I think that was a contributing factor.

fixed the screw, reset the points gap...put some grease on the shaft etc... Wiped over the rotor and the inside of the cap and put the cap back on..I put the leads back on set the timing (thanks for the reminder Craig Torrens) and it started first go. Idles great again and drives well with power, but I have noticed smoke coming out of the right tail pipe (i have dual mufflers due to previous owner)..upon start there is a large cloud that forms and then settles for a subtle consistent grey/white smoke?

I can also hear an extremely fast but faint clicking noise from the number 2 cylinder area....any ideas?? Valve loose?? valve guide seals letting oil in?

my plugs turn to black very quickly. mainly carbon build up, but occasionally a little oily. Should I be preparing for bottom end rebuild?
Because there is no other car like a Dub 😂

turboty Officially Full-On Dubber

208 posts · joined Jul 2012 ·

#982387
Spark plug leads...
just because its a kit car... doesnt mean its not a vw!

greedy53 Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,062 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#984319
if it was going before you fixed it,i would start with a plugs points timing, with the plugs getting black sound like to rich.the thing with an vac leak is you up the fuel to comensate,so make sure the rubber manafold joiners are tight and no leaks check the inlet nuts,and a new condenser
happy vwing
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