engine just stops running?

Post by **snarl** » 08 Nov 2006, 15:16

My van Aircooled 81 ,occasianly backfired in the past litle loss of power then bang , didn't really bother me , but since having it tuned it now runs great but instead if backfiring it sometimes just stops.... at traffic lights driving on motorway anywhere... i have to pull over and turn her over till she starts agin then she's fine .... any ideas

Post by **ghost123uk** » 08 Nov 2006, 15:50

Blocked fuel filter.
Blocked fuel pick up strainer ( in tank - I wonder if your model has one of these ? )

Duff coil ( next time it happens have a spare spark plug to hand and check the sparks ( carefully !! 10,000 volts be dangerous to your health !! )

Does your model have points in the dizzy - check the gap - might be too small and closing up when it gets hot.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 08 Nov 2006, 16:53

sounds like too lean at idle...
or the carbs are worn out and letting it lean out at idle..
Std twin carbs? ever had any work done on them?

The "Tune up" was done by who?? someone with good old vw knowledge?

Post by **HarryMann** » 08 Nov 2006, 17:29

Agre with TMT, + slight poss its retarding too much or vac advance not working fully... check those lines. Or the vac adv/ret itself if work has been done recently

Post by **snarl** » 08 Nov 2006, 17:40

Yeah the guy who tuned it was lubscome Aircooled specialist in Bristol. just changeg fuel filter and checked intakes, no points on van , and also it stalls when running not just when idle ? so still miffed could be carbs need good service perhaps.

Post by **HarryMann** » 08 Nov 2006, 17:46

and also it stalls when running not just when idle ?

Meaning?

It stops when just driving along?

Post by **snarl** » 08 Nov 2006, 17:56

sorry , yes it stalls when driving aswell as when static.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 08 Nov 2006, 18:26

Lack of fuel, loss of spark. Got to be one or the other.

Any pattern to it? Does it go for so long then stop? Uphill make a difference? Found any water in the fuel / carb ? How long before it restarts again? What did you have "tuned" on it? Electronic ignition, is it standard VW or aftermarket fit? What dizzy is it? has it got advance/retard working with electronic set-up? vacuum pipe?

Full service must be first, plugs, rotor arm if used (could be special type for non-standard ignition), dizzy cap, leads and caps, fuel filter, remove and clean carb out, oil and filter, air filter, check / reset timing, carb setting done with CO meter or similar.