running on cylinders 1 and 2 only!!!

Post by **Danny-Boy** » 29 Aug 2007, 19:42

Hello there one and all, over the weekend i purchased a 1981 1600 Aircooled panel van, it has not been on the road for a few years now, so i didn`t expect too much but i did hope that all four pots would fire.
I am no mechanic but i do sort of know my way round an engine, does any one have any idea whats going on, i have checked for a spark, fuel, and compression all of which are present and correct. there is an annoying whistling sound from the left hand bank i have checked for air leaks so i changed manifolds gaskets and changed the rubbers on the manifold. The noise is still there and its still not fireing on all four.
All suggestions and advice greatfully recieved.

Post by **lambrettalee** » 29 Aug 2007, 19:46

simple but have you checked the dizzy cap.. for your misfire,

Post by **Danny-Boy** » 29 Aug 2007, 19:55

Its all new, it sparks on all plugs when held against the engine but just not when the plugs are in, i`m baffled?

Post by **corleone** » 29 Aug 2007, 20:10

I'll apologise in advance if this is a bit obvious but when the cap/leads were put on are you sure they are in the right order? I mixed them up on my triumph once and it took me weeks to figure it out. Then felt really stupid.

Post by **Danny-Boy** » 29 Aug 2007, 20:14

That was my initial thought, but no they are on the correct way according to Mr "HEYNES" and his manual.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 29 Aug 2007, 20:46

could be that the head gaskets or head has failed on that side... valves stuck open etc...
I am afrais the 1600 wasnt very good when it was new, so dont expect too much from a 25 year old one that has been stood..

Easiest way to see if the valves are stuck is to pop the rocker cover off and have a look..

Post by **tonytech** » 29 Aug 2007, 21:09

From memory an owner on here had a similar problem.
It is possible to install the dizzy drive 180 degrees out. in which case the plug leads can be in correct.
If you can suss out where TDC is then look at the position of the rotor arm.

T

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 29 Aug 2007, 22:43

Try changing plugs. Have known of some not to work under compression but spark fine outside of cylinder. Whistling may be coming from plug threads, ensure you have washers on plugs and seated correctly... May be possible compression tester is seating ok but not the plugs. Ps. I think there are 2 diagrams for HT lead configuration in the Haynes manual but one is wrong! Check the other diagram and compare with yours, just to make sure.
Hope this helps.

Post by **Danny-Boy** » 30 Aug 2007, 15:06

ok heres the latest,the plugs are new and seated ok, the whistling noise has gone, i think that it was something stuck in the fan housing, so one problem sorted anyway. I have looked at the rockers and everything is doing what i think it should be doing. As far as timing well thats out of my realm all this top dead centre stuff????? I will have a nother look through the manual. The coil looks a bit dated well original i think, could that be the issue? The van has only done 55128 miles,and there is history to prove it, so i`m hoping that i`m just being dull and missing something dead simple.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 30 Aug 2007, 15:33

When you looked at the rockers, did you just look at them or turn it over by hand and check that each one was returning to the top....?

Post by **Danny-Boy** » 30 Aug 2007, 19:57

I just did a quick check to make sure that they all moved but didn`t turn it by hand. I have since been back out again and there is no play in the tappetts at all its as tight as a drum not sure that is right, light was fading so didn`t get chance to check the other side.. And that whistling noise is back especcially on over run? Could the head have split or be loose?

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 30 Aug 2007, 21:32

I have to admit, my head did come loose (on the engine!) but you could hear in knocking and it was loud! You said the compression check came out ok thought so shouldnt be that and shouldnt be the valves either if that is the case. Shouldnt be the coil either, as it is running, even if only on 2 cylinders! Try this... Start the engine from cold for about 20 seconds, turn off and feel all 4 exhaust manifolds from engine. This will let you know for sure which cylinders aren't firing. Maybe we can go from there and come up with some better ideas.