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 Purple Martin
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 10:35 AM |
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Are stuck needle valves dangerous?
For the second time in 2 months I've had a needle valve get stuck (first one side, then the other) on my stock solex carbs. Both times
they've caused petrol to leak out and make puddles on the tin and drip all over the exhaust manifolds. This time there's actually a small
river of petrol running down the road - I did have a full tank, but I must have lost a lot of it by now.
Am I right in thinking that stuck needle valves are big fire risk?
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
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Andy
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 11:35 AM |
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YES!!
Usually when they leak, they leak down the throat and some leaks out the throttle spindle.
If that's what is happening, there is also a lot leaking direct into the motor as well. and can cause all sorts of nasty problems, not just
fire!
They also have a tendancy to leak when the nose is up a hill.
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Purple Martin
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 11:37 AM |
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I park with the nose uphill (the front yard slopes) - does that mean it might not be a stuck valve, and if I just park the other way round it'll
stop?
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
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Andy
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 11:43 AM |
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There's one easy way to find out!!!
There can be more causes though, obviously a stuck or damages needle/seat, but also a damaged float, high float level etc.
What fuel pump do you have?
Also check the throttle spindle for play, the carbs may be due for re-building also?
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Purple Martin
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 11:48 AM |
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I've no idea what fuel pump I've got (and I left the kombi at home today so I can't check right now) - but why would it matter? I
can't see how the fuel pump affects the leaky carbies when the motor's not running anyway.
Is checking the throttle spindles for play as easy is grabbing them by the end and wiggling them?
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
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Andy
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 12:57 PM |
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Some electric fuel pumps allow fuel to free flow through, combined with a leaky needle valve and you can drain the hole tank!
Or as I tried, a solenoid in the fuel line to cut it off when stopped traps fuel between it and the carb which can build up pressure and push a fuel
line off!!!
As for the spindle YES. excessive play causes a vacuum leak.
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Nitram_Ztilad
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 01:35 PM |
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I've had the same experience as Andy with my 2.0l Kommer, with electric fuel pump. I found it only flooded when parked at home. I'd come
out next day and the motor wouldn't turn over 'cause the combustion chamber was chockers with fuel. That can be fixed by turning the motor
over backwards, which pumps all the fuel out the exhaust valve.
I thought it was happening at home because of the slight uphill slope: it didn't happen when I reversed the car in. But I havn't had it
happen for ages now and I reckon it's because I've avoided the "rush into the driveway and kill the ignition before rolling to a
stop" routine. Instead I let the car idle for 30 seconds before turning it off for the night: bingo- no more problems ! I figure it's a
syphoning thing which is started whe the car is running at speed and suddley shut down.
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Purple Martin
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 01:43 PM |
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Thanks guys I'll be parking downhill from now on, and letting it
run for 30 seconds before switching off.
I had thought that my 2-month old battery was mysteriously dead as well because the engine wasn't turning over, now I know it's just
combustion chambers full of fuel.
I guess I should expect some serious backfiring if I've filled the exhaust with petrol. Which way is "backwards" - do I turn the fan
clockwise or anticlockwise?
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
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Nitram_Ztilad
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 03:32 PM |
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The motor runs clockwise, so turn it anticlockwise to de-flood the engine. On a 2.0l engine it can be turned with a shifter on the alternator pulley
nut, but if it's not too tight it'll come undone when you try to turn the motor backwards. You'll also need to keep a bit of pressure
with your finger on the belt to keep it from slipping. It will need to be turned over at least two complete crankshaft revolutions, perhaps more.
The exhaust will have lots of fuel spraying out the back when it starts ( which will take a fair bit of cranking) so tell your mate with the smoke to
move off to one side if he doesn't want to be incinerated !
You should also check the oil level. My old 1600 Kom had the mechanical fuel pump die in western Queensland, and all the fuel ended up spending the
night in the sump, causing all the pushrod seals to swell up and come out. If the oil level is mysteriously high, then see if it smells of petrol !
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Purple Martin
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 03:35 PM |
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OK thanks I'll check for fuel in the sump as well.
I should've called this topic "Is parking uphill dangerous?". So much for VW engineering - a bit of a slope and it all goes to shit.
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
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kombikim
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 03:36 PM |
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ANTICLOCKWISE as you face it |
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kombikim
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 03:44 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Purple Martin
I should've called this topic "Is parking uphill dangerous?". So much for VW engineering -
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VW engineering is good, they thought this out & that is why the engine is at the back, it gives the passengers and driver a better chance of
*&$^%#! |
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Purple Martin
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 07:10 PM |
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Well yeah VW engineering is usually great, but this seems like lot of hassle for just parking on a slope.
The good news: I cranked it backwards (not easy) and then managed to get it started, with the predicted fountain of petrol from the exhaust.
I've turned it around so it's facing downhill now.
The bad news: the sump is full of petrol. "...causing all the pushrod seals to swell up and come out" - sounds nasty. Obviously I need to
do an oil change, but should I be doing anything else as well? And is it safe for me to drive it 20km to the mechanic if I need to, or should I get
it towed?
Thanks for all your help on this.
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper
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70AutoStik
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| posted on May 27th, 2003 at 11:44 PM |
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Combustion chambers full of fuel is bad news - it means no oil! If you're not really savvy, I'd do a "cold crank" with the plugs
out - to get some oil back up there, and take it to a mechanic to have it checked out.
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toplessbug
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| posted on May 28th, 2003 at 02:58 PM |
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cold crank
all very good info BUT if you cold crank it as i had too after the same thing be certain to disconnect the power from the coil cause if you dont TRUST
me the first spark from a plug will ignite the remaining fuel and the arse end of a kombi dont look real good full of raw fuel flames its
guaranteed to cause panic |
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70AutoStik
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| posted on May 28th, 2003 at 09:38 PM |
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Some wise advice, topless. Thanks for pointing out moy omission.
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