Anyone who has delt with type 3 engines, how does one start off the thread on the top left spark plug. ive taken off the oil filter to gain more access, it just seems it won't start the thread. my assumtion is that im not putting enough downforce onto the spark plug socket and extension, so it cant start. the extensions im using are your general extensions for sockets, however the longer extension is hitting a metal bar on the left of the spark plug. Plus, the left carby is so annoying to put my hand around.

never worked on a Type 3 but cant you start off just holding the spark plug??

my hand can't fit around the carby that far. thats why i gotta use the socket extension :S Its gunna suck if i gotta take it off..

does your socket have the rubber bung at the top that "holds" the plug so as you can apply pressure??

sounds like its threaded, heli coil or Time sert it!! Type 3 engine same as beetle (block, cylinders and heads).

ah kk. im new to servicing type 3's, any tips? and yep. my socket has the rubber to hold the spark plug

see if u can get a heli coil kit and re thread the sparkplug thread failing that remove the head and take it to someone who can install a time sert (time sert better option)

if the thread is still in place the spark plug should just screw in and there would be no issue

Use a short length of rubber hose! That how I did it, or drop the motor. No joke it was quicker to drop out when I had the webers.

As mentioned to you already to try and give you a helping hand, there are a bucket load of Type 3 guys on http://volkaholics.net/ 

Good news, the thread looks intact, but the start of the thread on the head must of got a knock or something during spark plug removal, hence why the stubborn bugger won't start!

I just made a little tapered tap out of the old spark plug to just tidy up the start of the head thread, then the new spark plug should screw in home

thats the plan anyways

The young fellas doing his first ever full engine service, so its a steep learning curve . Oil (high Zinc), tappets, points and timing next.

good news Chris

An unfortune update!

The reason the spark plug isn't starting, is that the threaded bore of the hole is way too big!! Hence why the spark plug just spins in place.

Nic had Andrew (the mechanical up the road) take a look and put a proper tap through, and his observations (when comparing a junk head i lended Nic) are that it must have had a helicoil put in on it (previous repair), and somehow, either the helicoil has come out with the spark plug and fallen somewhere, or got fed into the head on installation, and is floating in the combustion chamber.

Looking at mobile thread repair mobs for a timesert instead. Stupid helicoils!

i unbolt carbs for plug change

Hi

On Type 3s I always put the carbs on full throttle using the return spring to hold it there it gives you more room around plug area.

When I was in VW shop we used to fit Timeserts with the motor installed

Steve

lol what exactly the problem?

I just change as is with everything left alone.

regular plug socket, short extension (75mm?) and ratchet. not much room but seems easier than other cars I have changed plugs.

the key is to crack it with the ratchet then use just the socket and extension like a screw driver, then reverse procedure to install new ones.

All fixed

Nic is over the moon now, happy as larry . He organised a mobile thread repair man to come over. The fella used a camera to ensure no debris was remaining in the combustion chamber, then had it back to schmick condition in 15 mins with the engine and head insitu. The rest of the engine looks great otherwise. We'll assemble it back together on Wed morning (Ekka show day off work), so he can kick it over and heat up the engine for his oil change and oil strainer clean up. Will make sure he's aware about the gentle torque application on those oil strainer castle nuts .

Just bad luck, but no problems now. The rest of the engine looks great. No crazy oil leaks like my bloody baja, Barry's a good unit.