| [ Total Views: 725 | Total Replies: 16 | Thread Id: 2860 ] |
|
|
 bluebus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 150
Threads: 30
Registered: September 16th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: happy happy joy
|
| posted on January 6th, 2003 at 06:59 PM |
|
|
Kombi engine dying at speed
New problem with 74 kombi...
About twice in the last 2 days, and 3 times before xmas, Walter's engine has died at speed. What happens is, cruising along in 4th, and I get a
sudden loss of power - no acceleration at all, but the engine is still running. He then either stalls if I try accelerating, or stumbles along
painfully if I change down to 3rd or 2nd, depending how much power is left.
I then drive along with hazard lights on, at between 20 & 40kph, swearing and begging the car not to do this to me. Then usually after a couple
of kms, he's back to normal.
If he stalls, however, he will restart but limp, or sometimes just stall again, in which case I just had to wait it out. Within 1/2 hour he was
perfectly driveable.
Like I said, this has only happened a few times, but it's pretty stressful, and did it to me again today.
Any suggestions as to where I look first? I'm thinking maybe one of my carburetors is dropping the plot, but I know bugger all about them, so
it's really just a guess, based on the feeling of half power. I figured if it was the fuel pump or a blocked fuel line, the car would stop
entirely.
So my question is... what's the simplest thing to check/fix that would explain the symptoms?
Thanks,
Angela
66 Beetle & 66 Austin 1800... makes for a very stylish footpath  |
|
|
Grey 57
A.k.a.: Dean
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Old Grey Cruiser
Posts: 2937
Threads: 355
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Phillip Island
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: (OoVoO) (OVO).
|
| posted on January 6th, 2003 at 07:15 PM |
|
|
Definitly sounds like a fuel delivery problem. Could also be water in the fuel.
Electrical would just stop the engine dead.
Start with the easy stuff
- Fuel filters - replace them
- air cleaner - clean / replace them
after this
- drain the carbies out. There should be a big nut thing at the bottom of the fuel bowl on the carbs. Be carefull and make sure you mop up all the
spilt fuel.
Put your smoke down. Just kidding.
Harder ones - blocked jets in the carb
Unblocking the carbs without pulling the things apart.
Remove the air cleaners.
Start the motor up.
Pull on the throttle cable to make the motor rev up. Not so its screaming just going real fast.
Now place your hand over the carb inlet throat (the bit that air cleaner goes onto.
It will suck really hard on your hand. Hold down untill the engine startes to die then remove.
Hold the throttle open to keep it running, other wise it will be really hard to start again.
Do this a couple of times on both sides (twin carbs ??)
If you are lucky all the crap blocking up the carbies would have been sucked thru and blown out the exhuast.
If not then its pull apart time.
Good luck.
|
|
|
silver
Veteran Volks Folk
Dangerous when poked
Posts: 2169
Threads: 162
Registered: December 8th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: In 2 Minds
|
 posted on January 6th, 2003 at 08:37 PM |
|
|
another thing to check
One other thing you could check if the carbs turn out to be clear and ok, is to check the timing if your kombi's timing is out then your engine
will run hot this can cause a vapor lock in the fuel pump ,common in VW engines it's something that got me once ......
I hope you fix it reliability is a comfort
Silver 
Keeping it real !
|
|
|
kombiluva
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 164
Threads: 27
Registered: October 9th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisvagas
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Mooted.....
|
| posted on January 6th, 2003 at 09:40 PM |
|
|
Is it a hot day?
Was the outside temp hot on the day your bus started to play up?
Your engine might be getting HOT and you are getting a fuel/vapour lock as discussed above?
When was the last time you got fuel? Did it happen just after you got a top up? Have you tried the "Metho in the fuel tank" trick yet? Good
to get rid of water in the fuel; so I am told.
Is it happening when you are on an incline or on flat ground? Could be crud/object at the bottom of you tank that is restricting the flow? (If you run
a 1/2 empty tank for a while (See months/years), then top it up to 1/1, deposits on the side can/will fall to the bottom of the tank and hence fuel
starvation)
It could also be the break down of your coil....see under load, old coil, gets hot....
Just a few things to think about!
Cheers
Kombiluva |
|
|
bluebus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 150
Threads: 30
Registered: September 16th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: happy happy joy
|
| posted on January 6th, 2003 at 10:59 PM |
|
|
Interesting... I usually run around with less than half a tank - often significantly less And since my fuel gauge doesn't work, I've a terrible habit of running out of petrol at least once every 6 weeks, through
sheer forgetfulness!
It usually happened after getting fuel (not immediately after, but in the trip). And when going up an incline. The first couple of times were
extremely hot days and long drives. The most recent times were pretty short trips and not hot days. But the car is in desperate need of a tuneup.
So it could be a cruddy fuel supply? Please don't say take out the fuel tank and clean it!!!!
Why would it only fail going over 60kph? Heat?
What's the deal with an old coil? Coil plays up, engine gets hot? Engine gets hot causes vapour/fuel lock, causing problem? Given the recent
state of my ignition leads and plugs, I think it's quite likely that the coil is ancient.
Can someone explain vapour/fuel lock to me?
What a lot to digest...
So I should...
Clean or replace the air and fuel filters.
Put metho in my tank.
Check the coil.
Do the timing.
And if none of these nice easy fixes do the trick, move on to the carburettors????
Boy do I have a list of chores for tomorrow!!!!
Thanks,
Angela.
66 Beetle & 66 Austin 1800... makes for a very stylish footpath |
|
|
Phil74Camper
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Head in the Clouds
Posts: 2703
Threads: 193
Registered: August 28th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 10:37 AM |
|
|
Hi Angela, nice to see you back on line again!
I had a similar problem with my Kombi a few weeks ago. Normal around town driving was fine, but at full throttle up hills it would stumble and miss.
If I backed off, it would clear in a second or two. If I stayed at half throttle it was fine; put the boot back in and it would stumble again. Classic
lack of fuel problem.
My engine is brand new and I had replaced all the fuel lines, so it had to be something simple. Sure enough, my aftermarket fuel filter was clogged
with gunk from the tank (tends to happen if you let the tank run almost dry).
Replaing the filter fixed the problem.
There's no easy way to get the tank out - the motor and gearbox have to come out first. That would be a 'last resort' fix. Try
everything else first!
Your problem doesn't sound like electrics to me. The reason you would get it over 60km/h is that your engine is turning over faster and using
more fuel - and you've reached the stage where you're trying to use more fuel than your clogged fuel lines and filter can deliver.
|
|
|
bluebus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 150
Threads: 30
Registered: September 16th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: happy happy joy
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 10:53 AM |
|
|
Brilliant!
That sounds exactly like my problem!
I haven't started attacking the car yet, but was reading up my manual last night to try to find where my fuel filter would be, but it was no help
at all. Is it blatantly obvious once I get back under the car, or would some clues help?
Angela.
66 Beetle & 66 Austin 1800... makes for a very stylish footpath |
|
|
Andy
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Andy's Adventures
Posts: 2820
Threads: 181
Registered: November 5th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Happy Man
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 11:29 AM |
|
|
If you look up from under the car on the RH side of the gearbox (near the starter motor) you will see the outlet from the fuel tank. The filter should
be somewhere between there and the inlet to the pump (RH front of motor) which you can also see while lying there.
Just remember to block the flow of fuel from the tank (put a clamp on the fuel line) before trying to remove the filter.
I'd also recommend to where glasses to keep fuel out of your eyes, and disconnect the battery to preven any sparks while working close to the
cables on the starter motor.
Andy
|
|
|
kombikim
A.k.a.: Kim
Custom Title Time!
disfunctionally capable
Posts: 1521
Threads: 84
Registered: December 18th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney, Concord West
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: always bleary
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 11:32 AM |
|
|
Hi Angela
I just logged in, all the above can be causing the problem BUT what you most do is have patience & only fix one thing at a time waiting to see if
you have been successful or not, otherwise you will not konow what actually fixed the problem for the next time it happens. The fuel filter is the
easy thing to start with as I am sure it needs a new one anyway, on many old cars, they are not where they were originally, & some have two! open
the top cover on the engine bay and trace the fuel line from each carbie to where they come together, to where the then single line disappears through
the fire wall, sometimes there is a filter there.. the get underneath the drivers side rear And at the forward (gearbox)end of the drivers side of the
motor you will see the fuel pump, its a round thing with a fuel line going in,
another one going out & a smaller drain pipe, trace these (one should disappear through the firewall to the carbies & the other should go to a
fuel filter & then to the bottom of the petrol tank, remember that when you remove it petrol will start pouring out from the tank end, you have to
have something ready to shove up the hose (like a bolt) If replacing the fuel filter does not solve the problem strt looking at something else
Kim
[Edited on 7-1-2003 by kombikim] |
|
|
kombikim
A.k.a.: Kim
Custom Title Time!
disfunctionally capable
Posts: 1521
Threads: 84
Registered: December 18th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney, Concord West
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: always bleary
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 11:49 AM |
|
|
geez Andy,
you can type faster than me, dont you hate it when the fuel runs down your arm |
|
|
bluebus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 150
Threads: 30
Registered: September 16th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: happy happy joy
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 12:47 PM |
|
|
OK then, I'm off to the car with safety glasses, a handful of bolts and a wrench. Wish me luck!
Hopefully self-immolation will not come into the equation!
Thanks guys :kiss
Angela.
66 Beetle & 66 Austin 1800... makes for a very stylish footpath |
|
|
KruizinKombi
A.k.a.: Col
Bishop of Volkswagenism
Seriously Obsessed Cyber Dubber
Posts: 3493
Threads: 104
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Gippsland, Victoria
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Indifferent
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 03:59 PM |
|
|
I've had a similar problem in my first kombi, which turned out to be a dud coil, which was overheating. It ran fine after a half hour cool off,
just as you described.
Kruizin Kol
|
|
|
Old Dubber
Wolfsburg Wizard
Posts: 605
Threads: 25
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Everton Hills, Brisbane, QLD, Australia 4053
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: great!
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 05:20 PM |
|
|
Angela,
I'm with some of the guys above - my 2 cents worth - "It's always electrical"
If you can wait till the weekend, come over and stick it up on the hoist to check the fuel bits.
|
|
|
bluebus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 150
Threads: 30
Registered: September 16th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: happy happy joy
|
| posted on January 7th, 2003 at 07:18 PM |
|
|
Thanks Grahame - I think that would be great. I stuffed around under there today, and ended up thinking that there wasn't enough room under the
car to manoevre if I didn't clamp the fuel lines properly. So with visions of me covered in petrol, I gave up. A hoist is definitely what I
need, so I'll give you a call later in the week to tee something up.
In the meantime I'll try checking the coil.
Ta,
Angela.
66 Beetle & 66 Austin 1800... makes for a very stylish footpath |
|
|
aggri1
A.k.a.: Aurel Griesser
Insano Dub Head
Posts: 824
Threads: 35
Registered: December 3rd, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Eastern Melbourne
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Grey
Mood: ska'd for life
|
| posted on January 14th, 2004 at 01:51 PM |
|
|
Heya,
exactly the same thing happening now in mine (1800 also).
I noticed that two cylinders (on the left lookin in from behind) weren't doing anything (pull spark leads). A bit of throttle and the engine
shook around like mad! BUT: quickly giving fuel (twisting fuel linkage lever quickly downwards) made it run _smooth_ (really!) for a second or two.
So I reckoned that the standard fuel jet (in the one (left) carbie)was clogged, but the diaphragm pedal fuel pump jet was OK, since I could see fuel
going into the carbie with the air filter and engine off.
Is this a reasonable guess ? I don't even know whether there are indeed two jets. While driving I did this and it sometimes worked
(temporarily):
* neutral
* engine off
* pump accelerator pedal a few times hard
* engine on
* cruise on
This did in fact work quite often, and downhill people didn't even notice.
She's still doing it though, every now and then. I'll try cleaning the carbies.
Regards, Aurel.
|
|
|
kombidaze
Slammed & Awesome Dubber
Posts: 83
Threads: 0
Registered: August 12th, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: south eastern NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: hopeful
|
| posted on January 15th, 2004 at 09:58 AM |
|
|
from the description of your maintenance schedule it sounds like a few things should be checked. The fuel filter is a problem because "out of
sight out of mind" also its position so close to the starter motor makes it hard to work on. My suggestion is to also put in all new fuel lines
whilst your under the thing and make sure all the clamps are in place in fact replace all the fuel lines and check the T piece as well, when
your've seen a kombie smoldering on the side of the road, well you know!
|
|
|
Bobbles
Casual Dubber
Posts: 28
Threads: 3
Registered: September 7th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Adelaide
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 16th, 2004 at 06:55 AM |
|
|
Hi,
I had a similar problem, on hot days in particular. It dogged me all the way to Sydney on a recent trip from Adelaide and made the van (84
watercooled) very hard to drive through the Blue Mountains! Finally I noticed that when I took the fuel cap off to fill the tank, there was an inrush
of air. So I replaced the fuel cap with one of those temporary plastic ones with a hole through. This helped (problem less severe), so I reamed out
the hole to about 3mm and the problem disappeared. (Now I must remember to avoid rainstorms or bushfires).
It's been suggested that on my model, a bit of charcoal from the anti-pollutant charcoal canister may have blocked the air return line to the
tank - but anything that would stop the tank sucking in air to replace fuel would starve the motor of fuel. If you have an electric fuel pump, it
would be screaming in this situation.
Just something else to think about!
Cheers,
Bob
|
|
|
Robo
Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber
Posts: 4491
Threads: 120
Registered: February 13th, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Tweed Heads
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Oval madness
|
| posted on January 16th, 2004 at 07:03 AM |
|
|
You should also have a look at your fuel pump pushrod, they do wear sometimes quite badly, if it is worn dosent matter what you do after it you will
never get full fuel delivery, the first signs are on hot days at highway speeds.
Rob......
Boxer Power
Member of DMLRK.....Die Mittler Lebuns Resto Komeradschaft
 |
|
|
aggri1
A.k.a.: Aurel Griesser
Insano Dub Head
Posts: 824
Threads: 35
Registered: December 3rd, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Eastern Melbourne
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Grey
Mood: ska'd for life
|
| posted on February 2nd, 2004 at 02:36 PM |
|
|
Hi there!
Well, I recently had the fuel pump overhauled (and was ripped off by the garage that did it) so on mine at least the pushrod _should_ be OK, assuming
the garage put a proper one in.
It seems to my simple mind that the problem is further down the line, since two cylinders on mine were running OK, and two (on the left, viewed from
behind) were not doing anything. Funny, since the left (half of the) carby supplies fuel to all cylinders at low speed (idle only?), but seemingly
actually doesn't supply any to the left cylinders, but DOES give the right ones fuel... Perhaps I've not understood how they work properly.
Also, pumping the accelerator with the engine off should squirt some fuel through somewhere (and this DOES indeed work both sides, I checked with the
lids off), but why then, afterwards, does she *usually* run OK again? Hmmm!
If anyone knows offhand how much the standard solex carbies for the 1.8l are likely to cost...
Anyway, bluebus, if you find out what your problem is, i'd love to know.
Cheers,
Aurel.
|
|
|
bluebus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 150
Threads: 30
Registered: September 16th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Brisbane
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: happy happy joy
|
| posted on February 3rd, 2004 at 10:50 AM |
|
|
Hi all,
Yeah, I finally found what the problem was with mine. After replacing all electrics (to no avail, but at least they got renewed!), and the fuel
filter and lines, it turned out to be the fuel pump.
The pushrod was fine, but the pump itself was stuffed. Took it off, tried blowing/sucking through the inlet/outlet pipes, and it did sod all. Terry
from the forum gave me a spare one (sometime early last year) which I put in.
It was a really bloody fiddly task, but haven't had any probs since. Until this morning when my starter motor died! Oh well...
Angela.
66 Beetle & 66 Austin 1800... makes for a very stylish footpath |
|
|
aggri1
A.k.a.: Aurel Griesser
Insano Dub Head
Posts: 824
Threads: 35
Registered: December 3rd, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Eastern Melbourne
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Grey
Mood: ska'd for life
|
| posted on February 3rd, 2004 at 01:08 PM |
|
|
Hmmm...
Well thanks bluebus. I'll look into that on mine also.
Cheers,
Aurel.
|
|
|
