hi all
my new bug has a 1600 sgl port and seems to run very hot
the engine has plenty of power and has no odd noises runs very quiet actually.
has a new carb no leaks etc ,20w50 oil, no holes in tinwear.
but after a short time driving she gets very hot (to hot to hold dip stick hot) and the oil light starts to come on at idle
any tips?::
or is she just very worn?

[Edited on 13/4/2005 by kombibob]

[Edited on 13/4/2005 by kombibob]

anyone?

one more try before i go to bed

Hi KombiBob,

I had a similar occurance years ago that was a very simple (for the mechanic) fix. However as I don't know too much about the physical engines side I am not sure whether it will help.

I had a 76 Kombi and had some work done to it on a Friday, can't remember the specifics of the job but they had to remove parts of the engine, or the air pipes, etc. Something like that.

Anyway I picked it up on the Friday afternoon after work, they were about to close. That night I was to drive from Ipswich to Brisbane for the weekend.

The car felt great to drive, whatever work it was felt good. I had an aftermarket temp and oil pressure gauge fitted to this car, and as I drove off to Brissy I watched the temperature climb more rapidly than it had before. By the time I got to Mt Gravatt (southside of Brisbane) the temperature was soaring and the oil light was coming on when my foot was off the pedal (eg idling). I had to cancel my trip and return to Ipswich. I checked the oil and the level was fine, but the temp had just gone through the roof. I had to stop regularly to cool the motor down, before proceding.

I went back to the mechanic on Saturday and although they weren't happy about it, I got them to check it. Sure enough, they had stuffed something in there, and fixed it.

(this is when the technical ppl among us jump in and clarify what bits of the car I'm actually talking about). When they had re-assembled the engine, they wrongly aligned some of the air pipes around where there is a set of opening valves / hatches, which apparently helps to regulate the air cooling. Subsequently, because the aligning was wrong, the doors were basically bolted shut.

The car therefore wasn't breathing and the temp climbed....and the oil got thinner, etc etc.....

They fixed the problem and the car was wonderful to drive......

Now, I don't know if your engine would have the same setup but assume so....so maybe get this checked...I was happy it was something simple. Good luck.

Yes, the flaps in the engine tinware can cause that....

Most don't have any connections etc as the thermostats were thrown away years ago.....
The flaps are supposed to be pointing in certain directions to cool the cylinders etc down....

Make sure ther are No holes anywhere that the precious air can escape...
including the heater tubes..... a torn heater tube can leak a lot of precious air.... even though the heater is turned off...

check the heater connections under the car.....
Hose clamps should be used..... this can mean the difference between a cooked engine and an engine with a long life....

I'm just not sure on late Kombis.... how the heaters work etc.
all the heat under the engine should not be able to find its way into the cooling fan.....

Are You using Premium unleaded.... Many type 2 drivers are..
many beetle drivers are too....

Best of Luck...

Lee

I believe the oil light is coming on due to the oil becoming very thin due to the extreme heat.....
and loss of oil pressure...

Check to make sure that air IS getting to Your OIL Cooler...

Best of Luck

Lee

Lotsa a things can cause this, not just missing tinware, thermo flaps stuck closed, gaps in the cooling system allowing hot air to re-cycle etc.
Don't forget tuning, things like too much advance, too lean etc can over heat.
Then look at the oil system, blocked cooler, damaged relief seat, weak spring, etc can all give these symptoms.
Give the car a good clean, degrease, tune up. Grab a manual an look for missing cooling bits and see how you go from there!

thanks all
the timing and jeting are fine no missing tinware etc
will swap the fan housing ,oil cooler etc for a dog house style that i have on a old donk under my house and see if that helps.