Question for the more experienced Vee Dubbers out there. Last night we were pulled over for a RBT with the added benefit of a drug test which entailed parking the VW off the road while the Pofleece dragged me over to a table (not kicking or screaming) to lick something to test for drugs (thank Christ they don't test for what I'm on...kidding..馃お) I think they chose me because I look a bit like a hippy and after all I was driving a VW馃槀
Anyway I had to jump a 8 inch kerb and park on a 20-30% grassy hill (nose up) while undertaking said drug test and when I got back to the Dub she wouldn't start, just turned over like it was flooded. I thought "Here we go" the copper (nice bloke) might want to have a closer look at my rig and perhaps stick a licky on it for something unroadworthyness?
Any way to cut a short story long, I got thinking maybe the incline (not very steep) allowed the carby float bowl to remain open letting fuel trickle past the float valve and flood the engine?
If indeed this was the case, would it pay to fit some sort of electrick fuel tap to eliminate this happening again?
I once seized a motor in my GSX-R after the oil got diluted with petrol due to a faulty float valve.
In this case oil level stable and seems uncontaminated and this is the first time I've had to park the VW on a hill. Carby is the stock Solex with what seems like a 5mm choke hole (cheap to run though, while not parked on any hills remembering)
Any quick fixes?
Cheers
Tads
vw54 路
yes thats what happen you can get a inline solinoid and wire it to yr ignition so it only opens when the ignition is on
Where are you at Tads???
OZ Towdster 路
You have already answered your own question , yes just fit an electric fuel cut off our just don't park the nose up on hills .
Don't worry they all do it !!!
1303Steve 路
Hi
Its a weepy needle and seat, stuck or sinking float or incorrect float level, it will empty the tank if you leave it long enough, with a lock off fitted it will only empty the float bowl. I had a brazillan carb on one of my old bugs that was was really bad for this, I replaced the float and it was largely fixed.
Steve
phatratpat 路
blew up my first kombi engine that way...not good
my beetle was doing it recently,replaced needle & seat and the float all good now !
Anthiron 路
yeah my bug did that when i got it, rebuilt the carby with a new needle and seat and made sure the float was all a - ok. doesnt do it now at all. id drain my oil if i was you!
ElusiveStranger 路
I'm in the UK.
What's a rbt?
Is the OP for real, do they really pull you, make you lick a drugs test doodab etc?
We just get (apparently) "have you been drinking, Sir?"
pod 路
RBT= random breath test 馃檨 and yes the coppers can drug test you over here now!
my beetle used to do that as well ,till i changed to twin carbs馃憤
vwcamper79 路
I like the solenoid idear...I've been caught out a couple of times too.
Although I'm usually more worried about the hand brake holding in those circumstances..!馃槀
1303Steve 路
Hi
The solenoid would work OK if you turned it off before parking on a hill, it could also be used as an anti theft device.
I think its much better to fix the fault than fit a band aid on it.
Steve
ElusiveStranger 路
Pod, thanks for the reply. We do have RBT over here but they need a reason to stop you first. Haven't really heard about drugs testing on the spot over here (also asked 4 mates tonight). We do have sniffer dogs out side of nightclubs occasionally though
Veerod, get a rebuild kit for the carb. It's an easy enough job to do, 1 - 1.5 hours max and cheap as chips.
glider69 路
chips arent that cheap anymore
General_Failure 路
Isn't that the truth. I've been trying to find a kit for my carbs, but the cheapest quote I have found around here is over $120. That's a lot of chips!
ElusiveStranger 路
For what carbs? I was assuming stock Solex which for a rebuild kit is UKP10 over here (AUD20)
VeeRod 路
Thanks for the Info fellas. When I brought the Car, the guy who used to own the beast had a Carby kit put thru it only about 2 year ago according to the receipts he gave me with the car.
I assume the carb kit would of included a new float needle and provided the seat was in good shape this should see the carby reliable?
It definitely dose not flood while the car is level. I'd say there's a fair chance the Solex Carbs don't like to be parked on hills?
I remember reading in a 4x4 mag a while back about problems with some Holly Carbs flooding while fitted to 350 Chevs and the like while in off road situations ie steep hill climbing etc so I think the VW definitely needs an electric fuel cutoff valve while the car is stationary or parked on a hill to eliminate the possibility of the float valve bypassing.
I'll post the details of what I find and fit.
Yeah the Random Breath Test with the bonus? drug test thrown in was the first ever drug test roadside I have had so they are not that common...yet.
It sucks because they take at least 15 minutes of your time to do the test if your unlucky enough to get picked. As they only have about 5 or six places at a table roadside (next to the Booze Bus) quite a few cars get let go. I think because the car is a old VW the coppers probably think "70's car, Hippy?" 馃
Cheers
waltermitty 路
Hi Veerod,
did you pass the test?M
VeeRod 路
Yeah past the drug/alcohol tests no worries. Don't drink or smoke weed anymore, since I left the Police Force 馃槀