Timing, distributor and oil leak question?

I started to have problems the other day, symptoms were like a fuel problem, really bad miss, wouldnt drive at all, could get it to idle but not drive. So check everything fuel related, still the same problem. Thinking maybe its the codensor, so swap distributor with a brand new one i just happen to have lying around...makes a massive improvenment. Set the timing and is heaps better but not perfect, set the timing again, still the same, get a mate to do it, still the same, maybe even a little worse...so what have i missed?

Two more problems now...
There is a fare bit of oil leaking from near the distributor...and its mucher hotter than i remember it should be...

And there seems to be a bit of play when i turn the pully, the rotor button doesnt move straight away, how much movement should there be?

Help much appreciated...

Someone must have some ideas...

yep, dont be such a tight arse and take it to Volksmod. They set up both of mine and they run like a dream.

byronbus wrote:No money left, got ripped off by a dodgy supplier on the gold coast

HaHa you should have bought from Me then, CVWP, for a change :P

Anyone?

gee that is so helpfull with very technical answers, he really knows his stuff. What happens when you put the old dis. back on again bruce? same or worse etc.. if it's the same then its not that.. or could be a couple of dif problems shich only complicates the materr. matter of elimination.. then if not that i'd try carbie, then fuel pump.. ring me if you need some sparies



[ Edited on 3-12-05 by frenzix ]

byronbus wrote:I started to have problems the other day, symptoms were like a fuel problem, really bad miss, wouldnt drive at all, could get it to idle but not drive. So check everything fuel related, still the same problem. Thinking maybe its the codensor, so swap distributor with a brand new one i just happen to have lying around...makes a massive improvenment. Set the timing and is heaps better but not perfect, set the timing again, still the same, get a mate to do it, still the same, maybe even a little worse...so what have i missed?

Two more problems now...
There is a fare bit of oil leaking from near the distributor...and its mucher hotter than i remember it should be...

And there seems to be a bit of play when i turn the pully, the rotor button doesnt move straight away, how much movement should there be?

Help much appreciated...

I'm not the world's greatest amateur mechanic but some of this makes sense to me, so for what it's worth, here goes. (Feel free to skip to the next post ...)

First the easy ones.

If the engine's missing and there's something wrong in the tuneup it's going to run hotter than if it's running smoothly.

Also, if it's leaking near the distributor, loosen the mount and check to see that the shaft's fully engaged with the engine ... not just part way in.

I'd suggest replacing the rubber o-ring part way down the distributor shaft while you're at it.

With regard to timing, condensors etc., Muir asserts that points and condensors should always be replaced as a pair.

Check spark plugs - make sure it's not running too rich.

I would also disengage the auto-choke on the carby(s). This has buggered up the running in our beetle more times that I can think of. Just make sure that you warm it up for a minute or two each time you take off in the morning.

I'd also be inclined to do the valves - make sure you get them cold, before the engine's been run on that given day. But they shouldn't be the cause of really bad missing.

Most times when we've had our beetle or kombi running so badly it's been down to something really simple with the tuneup - usually points / timing or carby.

It's just a matter of being patient and paying real attention to detail.

Good luck.

Tom

ClassicVW(pacific) wrote:HaHa you should have bought from Me then, CVWP, for a change :P

Why do some people only post when they advertise their business???

Thanks for the info Tom, ive mostly checked everything fuel and points and condensor...will start again

byronbus wrote:

ClassicVW(pacific) wrote:HaHa you should have bought from Me then, CVWP, for a change :P

Why do some people only post when they advertise their business???

So what you doing today Bruce some gardening?, i have 4 acres to cut on my ride on which has some EMPI 5 spokes on!

Andy

VolksFolks wrote:

byronbus wrote:

ClassicVW(pacific) wrote:HaHa you should have bought from Me then, CVWP, for a change :P

Why do some people only post when they advertise their business???

So what you doing today Bruce some gardening?, i have 4 acres to cut on my ride on which has some EMPI 5 spokes on!

Andy

Andy, the rules state you must display a price, amend that or i will request it gets deleted because it doesnt suit my mood

Sorry fella, $995 set 4.

cheers

like tomseals said....i would guess at a combination of problems.
maybe the spare distributor is better suited to the engine or less worn so feels better. is it seated all the way against the block?
maybe you have a carb problem that would explain the other symptoms...had one the other day that was running badly and hot and had just been tuned by the" vw mechanic".....it had a loose idle stop solenoid and was leaking air, ran much better after tightening it, the idle was set incorrectly as well

Just put another distributor on and it doesnt leak and runs a lot better, stil a slight hesitation going from 3rd to 4th....but she still running very very hot...and the play between moving the pully and the rotor button moving worries me...

Did the timing again and still runs way too hot, 36 degree day doesnt help...anymore ideas?