Possibly a daft question, and I'm really hoping it has a ridiculously simple answer...

Over the last month, Walter has developed the embarrassing habit of backfiring when decelerating. Only seems to happen in 3rd, and especially when going down hill. If I change gear it stops.

My one and only thought was the muffler, but I've looked and it has no holes. I gave him a tuneup last weekend, but although he stopped driving like an absolute dog, the backfiring problem remains. It's not like shotgun fire, more like he's farting his way down the hill. Like I said - embarrassing!

A friend told me kombis are meant to do that - so I hit him! Anyone got a better reason for Walter's newfound flatulence?

Thanks,
Ang.

i had the same problem with my shitbox... i had to change the gaskets, that fixed alot of the problem. The only time it backfires now is if i am going to fast when i change down gears.
But yeah the gaskets were my main problem.

Is ur zorst rusty or damaged? Its usually caused by an exhaust not fitting properly anymore, or by getting holes in it.
Ive gone thru a few cheap zorst because of holes and banging them out of place on big driveways...

the most common cause of this rude noise with the Kombie motor is the gasket/sealing rings that join the exhaust manifolds to the cylinder heads, if everything comes apart okay it is a straightforward job to replace them

Zorst (love that word!) seems to be in good enough shape. No holes, but I will have a look at where it joins just to be sure.

Seriously_Individual - which gaskets? Zorst (hmmm I think I'll adopt this word) gaskets, or something more arcane and mysterious?

God, I hope I don't have to refit those little bastards - when I changed the muffler last year, I nearly killed everyone around me with the sheer frustration of the task!

Ang.

Ah Kombikim, you speed typing demon you! Now you've made me look like I'm asking a question you've already answered :P

So pull the zorst off and refit? Ecchhh, I hate that job

Ang.

i got extractors, i only have 6 bolts holding it on, so that was relativley easy. i've never seen a normal exhaust though.

but the gaskets are only like $6 each

i forgot to mention

i changed my gaskets over awhile back and didnt do the bolts up tight enough...
i started the kombie up at 5:30am to leave for work and blew 3 out of 6 bolts.. verrrrrry loud that early in the morning.

so make sure ya do em up real good lol!

Yep, me too. Truth be told, it was removing the bolts that was the hard part. And the frustration of having to balance the entire setup with one knee, whilst holding the gaskets in place, whilst putting the bolts back in. That kind of contortionism always makes me antsy!

Yup know the feeling lol, i go to Southside VW for all my stuff, and he also gave me longer bolts to put on, had to bash the exhaust a bit to fit em but they shouldn't come off in a hurry!!