Ah, but the saga continues...

Those of you who were at Toowoomba last weekend may recall a sad & bedraggled Walter (74 Kombi) arriving on the end of a towrope. Problem was he kept dying every now and then under load. He'd cruise really well for ages, then stumble and stall, and finally couldn't even move in first. Trevor helped me out, and thought it might be fuel pump. Another bloke (also a mechanic) who rescued me a few days later, thought it was electrics, as we could smell plenty of fuel (same symptoms)and one ignition lead wasn't mating with the plug properly, and they were all touching the engine, and therefore (so I'm told) probably shorting (they did look like hell).

So I've had the fuel filter and lines changed, checked the carbs and they seem fine, as does the coil, replaced all the ignition leads, points, and rotor button (which also looked dreadful). I've even put metho in the tank in case it was a water problem.

Each time something gets "fixed" Walter works beautifully for about a day, then he does it again. So as far as I can see, that only leaves the fuel pump.

What I don't understand, is why the problem is so intermittent. Mostly he goes fantastically, can tackle hills and speed and load. But other times, he's just useless, and it's not only when he's under pressure, and he doesn't seem to be overheating at all. Two days ago it happened on a perfectly flat section of highway, when I was entering traffic at about 40ks.

Does this sound like something a fuel pump would do? I'd hate to replace yet another (expensive!) bit of car, only to find it makes no difference the next day.

Any more ideas anyone, or should I just bite the bullet and do the fuel pump???

I really feel sorry for you & can appreciate
the difficulty you have as well as you can appreciate the difficulty we all have trying to help fix an intermitant problem by long distance , I know you have become extremely talented in a very short time out of necessity so this is exactly what I would do to try to find the problem for no expenditure at the moment *****, IF running out of fuel in one or both carbies is what is causing the probem, it can be determined with a flat blade screwdriver,
1.. you need it to be running really badly, in a place you can pull over in daylight, put your foot to the floor in a high gear, this should make it run a bit worse as full throttle is trying to get petrol in that isn't there
2. with your foot still to the floor turn the ignition off ONE CLICK ++ you don't want to lock the steering!!!! quickly throw it into nuetral & pull over. then lift the top engine cover & remove the aircleaner bits off the top of the carbies, both choke flaps should be OPEN if one or both are shut THATS the problem. if open you can see right down inside , you need to move the accelarator linkage or 2nd person pump the pedal several times & you should see a little tube squirting a lot of petrol in each carbie if one only is squirting after a few squirts then the other is dry & that carbie is the problem if both stop squirting the the problem is between the carbies & the fuel tank.- which could include the fuel pump.Harder to do but better to do is to take the top off both carbies (flat blade screw driver) & see how much petrol is in each carbie, should be an even amount & fairly full but you would have to be sure of what you are doing & put it all back together exactly right if you don't want to walk home

I am sure somebody will come along & go blaha blah at this but it is all I can do from Sydney to help try & narrow the problem down FACT IS iswill run like shit on one carbie and will keep running & can also be intermiitent & will suddenly idle okay when you stop because of the seperate idle system
all these things have happened to me.
GENERALLY if the engine is running badly & the more you put your foot down the worse it runs- it is either fuel supply Or the condensor (capacitor) on the distributor. BUT neither the fuel pump or condensor generally has an intermitent problem. it usually starts happening & gets more worser until it is fixed

I am sure somebody wil come along &

[Edited on 14-3-2003 by kombikim]:repukeon al this but it is the best I can do at the moment

[Edited on 14-3-2003 by kombikim]

Great! Thanks for that - I'll drive around and around the block tomorrow until it happens again, then check the carbs again. At least this way I can guarantee to walk home ok! I've got lots of hills, so it should be a decent test ground.

I checked the carbs today shortly after it happened (but not while completely dead, just a bit dead still), and both bowls were evenly full, but I haven't tried watching them at the moment of impact.

Anything to narrow down this bloody problem!

HOWSTUPID AM I ??I JUST REMEMBERed how I found my stuffed carbie Do you know the small solenoid on each side with the little black wire on it? with the engine running bad you pull the wire off one side at a time, if it is running on one carbie the engine will stop if you pull the wire off that one but there will be no difference if you pull the wire off the dead one if both are okay then the drop in revs should be the same each side you do, it has to be running at the crook speed when you do it though . understand all this? I think I have it right this time, not thinking real clear -should drink beer

[Edited on 14-3-2003 by kombikim]

When Andy was running sick last year and couldn't track down the problem I fitted a fuel pressure gauge into the fuel line to monitor what it was. Maybe a cheap one (I payed ~$40 for a VDO one but there should be cheaper ones out there) 'tee'd' into the line will help see if the fuel pump is sick.
My problem, not quite what you have, turned out to be a combination of a sick fuel pump and an additive I was adding to the fuel was clogging the fuel filter.

Do you run LRP fuel, or add anything to the tank?

On the fuel pump, it took me ages to find the problem because I assumed it was OK as I had recently fitted a new diaphram kit, but it was the valves in it that were leaking.

Is the petrol tank blocked intermittently???
Next time it happens, remove the fuel line going into the pump & blow it back towards the tank either by mouth or with a pressure pack can or even (as I used to do it ) with a pipe hooked up to the schrader valve on your spare tyre- you've got time esp if you over inflate it for the purpose.
My 1st car, a '56 Manly Tan oval, did this. Some smart arse at work put half a page of the Age in the tank probably to shut me up talking about how it never broke down! It stopped- I'd blow back & it would go till the paper settled down again etc etc!
To test, when you remove the inlet pipe, the fuel should run freely under gravity.

my Dad had wierd fault . The wire between the distributor and the coil had broken
conductor inside it.Could not see any break in the wire insulation.
It would run fine and die or half die and come good again.
-
Anyway let us know when you find it.

I've had intermittent problems with coils; they tend to overheat and stop working, then work fine once they've cooled down again. I got similar symptoms to yours, bluebus.

Well I tried the "pull the wire off the carb" trick, and it affected both of them equally, so I don't think that's my problem (big sigh of relief).

When Trevor looked at it, he pulled a wire from the coil and grounded it, and it gave a nice big blue spark, so I don't think it's that. Also, the problem is no different if I'm pulling current for headlights, radio, wipers etc, than when I'm not.

Wires though, there's a thought... Given that they look like hell, have been in constant contact with engine (heat, current), and that recently I discovered that the oil sensor wasn't plugged in and was earthing away erratically, I wouldn't be at all surprised. I like this idea - it seems to explain an intermittent fault better than the fuel pump, and it's easier to check.

Now where did I put those spade connectors....

i'm not th ebest at guessing but I'd start by establishing a baseline. Give the bus a quick ture point 18thou dwell 48deg timing 10deg btdc tappets 6thou, then make sure there are no air leaks from thos carb tops and make sure the ballance bar is in place. In this way you can be sure that the problem should be easier to catch and your bus will be happier for the attention

:bounce:bounce:bounce:bounce

He's fixed, he's fixed, he's fixed!!!! I am SOOO happy!

Thanks for all the advice guys, couldn't have done it without you.:kiss

It was the fuel pump (outlet pipe rather blocked), but I suppose it never hurts to replace everything else while you're at it

Special big thank you to Terry, who gave me a fuel pump
kiss

I am just in the best mood today! Although I think my arms will fall off. I had no idea how tricky that second bolt was to access.

One last question... I had to pry a bit of tinware out of the way to check the pushrod. I can now place the tin back over the hole, but because I put the pump back on first, I can't get it to lock over the lip of metal on the case. This bit of tin is a box shape, and covers what looks like some kind of fins right beside the fuel pump. If it's not a perfect match is it a big problem?

Great to hear!!! Well done. You must be Proud to be able to do all thet your self!! Even I hate replacing a fuel pump.
Sorry to say though that the box shaped tinware really needs to fit properly and I think the pump has to come off again to fit it on. :jesus
The box feeds warm air into the air box for running on cold days, not overly important in Brissy, but if it's not on it also lets some cooling air for the heads escape and blows on the fuel pump.
Not devastating but best to have it on properly.
good luck,
Andy

Thanks Andy. I do feel pretty chuffed! I suppose I'll have to get back under and do it again... Bugger, I'd just put on a pretty girly dress to celebrate not being covered in grime today!

BTW, I went & checked out the BLBVW website, and there's another bluebus there! Now I've got to think up another name... I was so hoping for consistency.

No problems Angela. Pitty about the dress though. Just remember to take the dress off before going under the bus again.

Whilst I'd certainly hate to ruin a pretty dress, that grin looks WAY too wicked!!!!

Oh, I just re-read my message, I better amend to get changed, or I'll be sleeping on the couch for a while.

It would save getting any clothes dirty though.

Angela,

Sorry I missed all the excitement last week. But if want to have another go at the pump, come over next weekend and stick the car up on the hoist. You still have my phone number?

Well Done !
See how good it is to have access to enthusiasts, that can lend you
parts to try out , for these annoying problems.

It's the best thing about having an old car... Chances are if you love yours, someone else will love theirs, and therefore vicariously love yours!

The amount of help I've had from this forum is unbelievable! I've had sod all mechanical experience in the past, but so far have not had to pay anyone to do anything for Walter. And we've worked our way through a few sticky little problems. A very satisfying sensation.

Grahame, thanks for the offer. I'm not sure what I'm up to on the weekend (my sister has been entertaining the thought of me painting her new house extension!), but I still haven't put the tinware back on properly. It's very close, but just not fitting over a lip.

I wouldn't have been able to use the hoist last week during the big kerfuffle anyway, because Walter had completely and utterly died and refused to leave the driveway! (Actually, he usually stops working in the most convenient places. Runs out of fuel outside petrol stations, or in front of RACQ vans, that kind of thing. So polite for a beligerent old bus.)

Hi Angela,

Are you considering driving Walter down to Sydney for the VW Nationals at Easter? Might be quite an adventure! Plus plenty more VW nuts down here to socialise with.

Do you think he would make the trip without breaking down? Can you get the time off?

Hmmm.... there's a thought. I hadn't even considered it. I have every faith in Walter's ability to make it, because when he's good he's very very good (etc), but I don't know about time off. But hell it's a weekend, and a long weekend at that!

Sounds like fun, I'll consult my wallet!

hey Angela sooo glad that Walter's shaken off that bad flu..(blockages of the sinus and so forth) :thumb

We'll have to go on another trip somewhere to catch up.....need to kruse!!

Although there was that incident on the highway this morning...Thomas stopped dead on the highway and refused to start. billowing white smoke and all.it took a truck driver to completely block traffick so that it was safe to get out and push it over to the side of the road.
Still not sure what caused the problem.

:sandrine

Sounds great, I hope you can make it. make sure your liver is in good nick first - we will give it a workout!

I'm not sure if there are other QLDers coming down for Easter, but hopefully you might have a bit of a convoy if you do. If the Nats and Sydney are too far, there's always Valla Park in August. We wouldn't miss that for anything!

i saw walter by the side of the road as i took the climb to toowoomba too. truth is, georgia is giving me similiar problems now... ever since that trip,(i got her serviced two days before the trip) now she sputters and shudders, refusing to start until some time later. after cranking the ignition for a couple of times (like 10 times!!), then she starts sputtering. i have never seen this before. she normally goes on first start. but after that she is fine and purrs well. after reading this, i am wondering if my fuel pump is to blame too... there's a lot of grey smoke upon startup, i considered the voltage regulator and the soleniod being the problem but they seem fine to me. does the same principle apply to a beetle when checking for fuel pump problems??

Oh dear, you have my sympathies!

Apart from the blowing smoke bit, which I don't think Walter did, it sounds VERY like Walter's flu. Does it only happen occasionally, or is it getting more frequent? Initially, Walter would recover after a good lie down, but after about 2 weeks, recovery was rare. The last day I drove him, he only recovered for about three 15 minute bursts. The next day he was dead!

How accessible is a beetle fuel pump? They're damn easy to check if you can access the bolts that hold them in place. Also, if you go that road, check the push rod length while you're at it. Legend has it that a worn down push rod will do similar things (it all becomes clear when you pull the damn thing out and see how it all goes together!) But check fuel filter first. I'd definitely suggest checking the carbs the minute it dies next time - that was a really useful diagnostic trick, and again, pretty simple. I can't see why the same principles wouldn't apply to a beetle, but hell, what do I know?

Hey Sooty!!!! :bounce:bounce:bounce Good to see you! Did Thomas drive away from his embarrassment, or did you have to drag him kicking and screaming? Any ideas what the problem was? Definitely must get together - go for a cruise, have a bbq, go for a swim with all the kiddies etc. Make a day of it!

sounds great.
He drove off with a big smile after a little rest...I think it was punishment for pushing him to go too fast.

not sure about the whote smoke tho...what causes that? I've seen just about every other colour but not white.

Sooty,
If you were driving pretty hard, and it has only happen once like this, it could be over heating.
The white smoke, and not being able to re-start are a symtom of overheating. If you could start OK later and had no problems I'd guess that is what it is.
An old trick is to grab hold of the dip stick when this happens. If you can hold it, it's OK, if you jump back and scream it's too hot!!
.....just kidding on the last bit it will be too hot to hold though.