Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

sick travelling Kombi

0 likes
Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit
Log in to reply

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#122532
Hi there,

I'm travelling through NSW in a very temperamental Kombi. Sometimes she just won't go (low power).

Just been serviced pre-trip. Some mechanic in SA said she was running great: problem's intermittent.

We're in Balranald, heading east. Hay, Wagga-wagga, Canberra, to coast.

Anyone interested in having a look. I'm sick of 'real' mechanics saying she's great, when clearly she isn't (promise)! I'd really apreciate it.

my email: aggri1@student.monash.edu.au
mobile (reception?): 0403 614 120

Regards,
Aurel.

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#122537
When you get to Canberra, drop in at Volksparts in Whyalla Street, Fyshwick (it's next door to the Beetle Exchange). Talk to Nick - the big guy wearing blue. He's always honest, he'll find the problem and fix it, and he won't rip you off.

Good luck!
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#122651
Thanks purple Martin. That sounds like a good idea.

Cheers,
Aurel.

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#154658
Well, I spoke to a mechanic here in Melb (we made it home).

He says the cut-off valve on the left carby sometimes has a bad earth or something, and can decide to stop fuel flow at random times.

Now I have replaced this simple screw-in piece (with an identical part from pick-a-part - that's why it's so good to have a common car hey!). I have not done too much driving, but the problem has not recurred.

However, I don't quite know for sure how this valve works. Does it stop fuel flow completely for just the two cylinders on the left (from the rear), at all speeds? If so, then it may well be that that was indeed the problem.

Anyway, see how it goes.

Cheers,
Aurel.

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#155617
The cut off valve is a solenoid that cuts off fuel when the ignition is off to prevent the engine running on. It consists of an electromagnet that pulls a rod back when the ignition is on allowing fuel to pass. When the ignition is off a spring pushes the rod into the fuel passage blocking the flow.

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#156756
aggri1 wrote:Does it stop fuel flow completely for just the two cylinders on the left (from the rear), at all speeds?
Yes, that's exactly what it does. Apparently some kombis have another one on the right carb as well, but mine's only got the left one and that seems to prevent run-on. Glad you got home OK!
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#156824
Hmm.

See the difficulty I'm having is that there are two little electrical devices on the side of the left carby, and the auto-choke heating electrical thing on the back, er, front, no - it says Solex on it, is about 5cm dia. and more or less silver. So I get which the auto choke is (seems like a waste of electricty though, continually heating that part - maybe I'm confused (more than I think I am)).

Oh dear me, get to the point: the rear-most (round) valve does indeed have the little stem, and it does retract when I hook it up to 12V (tested out-of-car). What does the weird flattish square-rectangle thing which has the other electrical connection on it do? I opened one from another engine, and I could not figure out how it worked. (And it stank, not just of fuel, really badly - I was wearing latex gloves, and using turps, whiffy! They react somehow, makes good fake fart gas if you ask me!)

Hmm, well, I went for a drive, and sure enough; get fuel = problem a few minutes later.

BUT THE CUT-OFF VALVE WAS WORKING!!! I protest! Aarrghh. Hmm, sorry. Can it 'work' intermittently? I'll have to check next time she plays up.

Erm, back to square 1; what else might be the problem?

Thanks folks for your patience.
Aurel.

kombikim disfunctionally capable

1,521 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#156828
I really feel sorry for you, but cant figure , one thing you could do is fill up & drive with no fuel filler cap on for 5 mins & see what happens (cornering VERY slowly of course), don't worry about the square thingie with the wire, it doesnt do much & I have never seen one that is working anyway, if it is only running on 2 cylinders , then pulling the solenoid wire off the "dead" side will make no difference to the idle , whereas removing it off the side that is working , will immediatley kill the motor , of course both valves are probably OK , but you need to determine which, or indeed whether, one side only is the source of the problem

[Edited on 5-4-2004 by kombikim]
Please, I need drivers side window regulator (winder mechanism) for my '54

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#156852
Yeah, I pulled the electrical leads of the left side valves on the carby (while the motor was running fine) and the revs dropped and the engine shook around exactly like when she's playing up. Then I reconnected the wire, but IT DIDN'T GET BETTER! I thought, as soon as power's back, she'll be open again, and should be back on four cylinders. But, it didn't do it that way. I even switched off the engine, started up again, and it was still povvo (ie - shaking roughly)! Later, (ie, about an hour) it was all fine again! Weird huh!

I will try leaving the fuel cap off - then people will think I'm a tool and just forgot! I heard of someone having one with a small hole, on this site - here: Kombi engine dying at speed.

Next time it plays up, I'll open the fuel cap, and try to notice a slight vacuum.

I believe that only one side or carby is a problem because when she's stuffing up, and you pull off the spark plug leads on cylinders 3&4 (on the left = kerb side) from the distributor there is no change in engine speed. Have I done this legitimately? Taking off a plug lead from the other side (the two that are still working) leads to a rapid slow down and chug-chug-stop.

Um. Thanks kombikim,
Aurel.

kombikim disfunctionally capable

1,521 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#156857
OK that means the problem is the Kerbside carbie rgds pulling off the plug leads, but it sounds like you could have more than one problem

JUST one more thought, extreme flooding will give the same symptom as starvation, & the extra pressure of fule fill could initiate it, - next time it glurgs , with engine running, open top cover & remove the aircleaner so you can see down throats of carbies, if the kerbside one is flooding you will probably see the petrol, then turn off motor & have another look, you may see a bit of petrol dripping

[Edited on 5-4-2004 by kombikim]
Please, I need drivers side window regulator (winder mechanism) for my '54

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#156861
Hi there,
kombikim wrote:... it sounds like you could have more than one problem
Oh man, that's just what the shrink said!

I'll do as thorough a test as I can the next time she stuffs up. Untill then, there's probably not much I can do: maybe check the electrical leads going to the carby with a multimeter. Still, it's not a major problem, until I am in a hurry to get somewhere - but then, I'd be silly to take a Kombi wouldn't I. ;-)

The fuel pump was replaced last year, about 5000km ago - a rekitted 2nd hand one. The fuel + air filters should have been replaced at the same time (I didn't do it myself).

Regards,
Aurel

crazyluke Casual Dubber

46 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#157619
if ur worried about the fuel shut off solenoids not working pull em out cut the ends off and putt em back in. if ur ign timing is ok the motor will not run on. done it to heaps of combis.

aggri1 Insano Dub Head

824 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#160966
Checked the cut-off thingos. Seem to be working fine, both the one in the car and the original one that's now lying around vegetating.

Thanks, Aurel