Board Logo

Kombi - running like a dog (RUFF)
fatboy - October 23rd, 2003 at 06:33 PM

My kombi has started running really bad literaly overnight.

it idles ok but has almost no power and couldn't even get up my driveway in first gear.

Every now and I get a tremendous backfire.

All I have looked at so for is timing which is spot on ( I only did the valves a short time ago) I have noticed though that if I pull the leads of the right hand (Drivers side ) it makes no differance to the running of the engine (both at once or one at a time).

What is the most likely cause ??


Bizarre - October 23rd, 2003 at 07:58 PM

Is this a twin carb??

If so you getting petrol there??

What about spark??


fatboy - October 23rd, 2003 at 08:44 PM

Yeah - twin carb.

I am getting a spark from the lead to the dizzy as I put it back but dont know about the rest yet.

Any easy way to tell if I am getting fuel ?


Bizarre - October 23rd, 2003 at 08:53 PM

Take the air filter off and look down the throat of the carbs when you activate the throttle (with the motor off)

It could be a blocked idle jet so that side wont idle up to say 2000 revs.

Do it go better at high revs??

Pull an offending plug and see if it is wet. That will mean it is getting fuel but not spark.

If 2 cylinders are not firing i would bet more on the fuel as it is unlikely to loose spark to 2 cylinders.

How long since plugs, coil, condenser have been changed.

Pull the dizzy cap and make sure all is ok and clean inside


57 Panel - October 24th, 2003 at 07:14 AM

There is a solinoid on the outer side of the carbie, the smaller one about half way along, it came loose on my 1800 and the engine had no power. No fuel came out so I'm guessing it had something to do with air metering. Anyway I tightened it up (9mm I think) and it was fine again. :bounce


fatboy - October 24th, 2003 at 10:32 AM

Well I do appear to be getting a spark but dont appear to be getting any fuel.

I am getting fuel to the carbie but after that ????

What now ??? anyone ???


mnsKmobi - October 24th, 2003 at 10:58 AM

Did you check the solenoid on the carby? If it has failed or the lead has come off it will stop fuel getting through.


Bizarre - October 24th, 2003 at 11:42 AM

Same with the idle jet

If you can see it squirting when you activate the throttle lever that is fuel from the accelerator pump.

The fuel it gets to idle is from the idle jet and the fuel for above 3000 revs is from the main jet.

Check that solenoid first


fatboy - October 24th, 2003 at 01:06 PM

Thanks guys,

I have checked the solenoid and power is getting to it - when I plug/unplug it I can hear an elsctrical arcing type sound.

With the engine not running I can actually hear the fuel flowing into the left hand carbie but nothing on the right.

BTW how tight should the solenoid be ? it was lose but tighening didn't seem to make much differance ?

cheers


fatboy - October 24th, 2003 at 01:16 PM

Er (Sheepish) how do I clean a jet ?


68AutoBug - October 24th, 2003 at 01:56 PM

Jets are usually very small copper or brass bolts with an even smaller hole thru the centre ... this is the jet and they can easily get blocked... although do You run fuel filters??? they should stop anything getting into the carby.
Depending on the brand of carby You are using - Jets are located inside the fuel bowl of the carby... its best to take the carby off and pull the top off it and clean out the Fuel bowl and any jets you can see, some times there maybe a jet in the throat of the carby.... just push a thin piece of wire thru the centre and blow them out with air pressure if You have a compressor.. otherwise just use wire to clean them out - after You have taken them out as there maybe some junk behind the jet also...
With the solenoid being loose, use some locktight or threadtape on the thread.. & make sure it still clicks when the wire is connected.... don't use too much pressure as the alloy the carby is made of, is fairly brittle...
Best wishes..
Lee


68AutoBug - October 24th, 2003 at 01:59 PM

as far as the spark goes.... if You use the genuine VW type wire spark plug leads..
You wll never have any "no spark" problems as the spark just Has to go thru the copper wire... But if You use the silicone type spark plug leads... they will give You problems at some time... guaranteed...
Lee


fatboy - October 24th, 2003 at 02:25 PM

Thanks guys.

I took the top of the carby and sprayed everything I could with cleaner, tightend up the solenoid (Was still loose) and now everything is once again running smooth.

As for leads - yeah they are VW in fact I suspect they may be the original as everything else on the bus was when I got it ! - I have changed the plugs though :D