My Caravelle Syncro 14" '86

Post by **Macflai** » 19 Mar 2006, 00:43

Forum members hi!

I was trying to get some info about my VW and I found this forum... I saw some videos (from Google Videos) from Andrew in Ireland... The thing is now I living here in Ireland, near Bray, and I want to know members or VW Westfalia Owners...
Other thing is my Syncro is having some problems when is cold in the mornings and I think the heater plugs are not so "perfekt", and I am a bit lost about shops here because I arrived here from Spain 2 weeks ago.
Any shop here? Any member or VW Bus owner? Btw my Syncro has the most beloved engine in the VW world, the famous JX 1.6 Td!!
Best regards!

Post by **HarryMann** » 19 Mar 2006, 02:41

Yes there are some Irish syncro members, Wicklow I think. Previously Ormsby, now syncropaddy username, maybe drop him a pmail.

Are you using the cold start lever?
Bad starting is a typical symptom of engine aging unless something is well out. Has it had work done it lately?
4 new glow plugs would at least rule that out (test them first), bit of a pain to fit though, should be a guide on the Wikipedia for that...
I find a hot air gun on slow, rammed in the airbox for a few minutes helps a lot , if its an occasional cold day catches it out, be carefl though

Wiki - Look above, the hammer logo, top left of the blue links under the main page title.

Hereis a link to Hassan's Wanafin website, changing glow plugs... via the Wiki link.

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/wiki/index.p ... _replacing

Post by **Macflai** » 19 Mar 2006, 11:52

Thanks for your answer.

I don't know where that lever is, maybe is the one under the heater fan controls in the dashboard? I have no the Instructions manual of the van so it is not so easy to know about the equipment.

The plugs should be okay because in Spain (I lived in Canary Islands) it was just wait 20 or 30 secs and then engine was turning! I have to check the fuses today and I will try to be in contact with Wicklow members, I live only 22 kms far away from Wicklow, in Greystones.

Another question is: when I turn off the key to stop the engine I can listen to a noise, it is like the turbine fom the turbo turning and stopping but the thing is sounds like a metallic noise! And I don't like that!

The engine doesn' "eat" oil, and the water level is okay...

Thx again for your answers!

Post by **HarryMann** » 19 Mar 2006, 13:25

Check the fusible link (55A) in the junction box/relay box on the firewall, left handside in engine compartment. If this has fised you won't have any glo plugs working and you need them..

Post by **Macflai** » 19 Mar 2006, 14:25

Hi again!

I have checked all the fuses in the van. The first one to be checked was the big one you mean, fixed in the black box with two philips bolts. I have been checking also the connections and 2 relays in there, next to the big relay another fuse, and two old style fuses under a plastic screen. In the interior fuse holder all the fuses were right. Maybe I have to check the heater plugs but the problems is I don't have any light or place with roof to do it and it's cold outside! (what I thought when I said I move to Ireland?? F***ing H*ll!!)

In the block there are 4 heater plugs (of course Victor!!) the first one where the red cable is connected is a bit like burnt but it works okay... No more connections to the heater plugs? Maybe I need an electrical scheme... In that area are 2 cables connected to a water sensor and another water sensor (107Ã‚ÂºC one) with one cable connected... but there is a thin cable what is not connected to nothing... Maybe I type a lot of words and a picture says all...

More suggestions?

Post by **HarryMann** » 19 Mar 2006, 15:20

There should be a plastic coated copper bus-bar running between all the plugs from No. 4 back to No. 1

I am not certain how long to wait with the ignition on and yellow light showing before starting to crank, but about 8~15 seconds I was told, I wait 15secs at least.

One technique with a good battery (it must be very good and strong, rated for this vehicle) is to put your push the acclerator pedal to the floor and just crank, even though it will puff smoke and just crank, they normally fire-up suddenly after about 30 seconds, if the battery lasts. After starting like that, must take for a good run.

The cold-start handle, is a flush fit to the plastic dash just to the left and under the steering wheel, pull it out if its there, it makes a big difference when cold - hence the name!

Post by **Macflai** » 19 Mar 2006, 15:30

Of course there is that metallic thing connecting the 4 heater plugs!

Batteries are new ones (2) one 72Ah and the smallest is 60Ah in 12 v both of course.

Ok I will try when I try next time that lever! and remember my car is a LHD hehehe Btw is not so difficult to drive your way!!

Regards!!

Post by **HarryMann** » 19 Mar 2006, 18:17

Btw is not so difficult to drive your way!!

Or yours, flippin southpaws, taking over the world - silly idea LHD, most people are right-handed and you want that hand on the steering wheel when changing gear? Right

Post by **Cate** » 19 Mar 2006, 18:22

Which brings me to think, do left handers find it more natural to drive lhd?

Post by **Macflai** » 19 Mar 2006, 19:55

No idea but I use both hands to do the most of the things I usually do but I prefer beeing a LHDer

I continue my problem:

I have driven to some villages into the Wicklow Mountains 2 hours ago and when I tried to start the car, before the visit to the Mountains, and using the lever... woffffffffff!! So hard... I let the heaters 3 times waiting for the orange light off then trying, nothing then 2 waitings more.. then trying again but nothing and then 2 more and then the engine wanted to start... the following was the one! Total 6 minutes in the car, and still the same... I like mechanic things but here I have not my tools/machines and my beloved sockets set

Post by **HarryMann** » 19 Mar 2006, 20:03

So you are saying:-

that you change gear with both hands...

and the van started OK with cold-start lever, whofff...

or it didn't and took six minutes?

Confused, Peckham

Post by **Macflai** » 19 Mar 2006, 21:08

It didn't at the first time and it took six minutes. Sure the batteries were praying or crying for help!!

Post by **Macflai** » 20 Mar 2006, 12:21

Today It took 12 minutes and I had to push it downhill and in 3rd gear, the miracle!
I have to change the 2 small belts from crankshaft to water pump pulley and the alternator one because they are making the known noise when they are in ery bad status...
I need to know about a nice and cheap

mechanic shop or garage!

Post by **Macflai** » 20 Mar 2006, 23:36

People hi!

Today I was with Airhead and he has helped me a lot about checking heater plugs and keeping me informed about shops and garages. THANKS MATE!!

The thing is 12v gets to the heaters, the orange light needs 40 seconds to dissapear and the relay works okay so he told me sure it is the heater plugs (hope so). Tomorrow I will buy them plus the 2 belts (water pump one and alternator) and I will try to change everything... I will keep this post updated!

Post by **airhead** » 21 Mar 2006, 00:41

Definitely did seem to me to be the heater plugs. Pig of a job to replace those things but I reckon your problems will be sorted when they are done.