1.9 dg Engine Lacks Power

[Kaitanpilot]

I have owned my van for about a year. In which time i have replaced the vacuum advance on the distributer, it already had a new fuel pump fitted, i replaced the plugs, leads and distributer cap, and most recently a new weber conversion carb was fitted. The van now starts and idles very well, but still lacks any aceleration and feels like the engine is constantly labouring. It is also using more fuel than my last van. Now a bit baffled as what to try next, I know they are not the fastest vans but still just doesnt feel right. Could someone help me out with a bit of advice!! Cheers b

[VWCamperfan]

Was the carb jettted correctly to suit your engine. Can only usually be done on a rolling road with gas analysers etc.
Every engine and setup changes over the years with wear etc. so an off the shelf carb is very unlikely to be ready to go if bolted straight on.
Has the timing been checked? Can cause performance issues if not set correctly.
And for the moment, lastly... Has a compression test been done on the engine?

Welcome to the club by the way. Hope your problems are sorted soon!

[Kaitanpilot]

Hello Mark Cheers!

The carb was fitted at a garage and they set it up on a gas analyser. Is there an alternative distributer that may work better than my original? If the compression is down would the van be a pig to start or smoke, cause neither of these things are happening. Would the clutch be a possibility?

Cheers

[VWCamperfan]

Right...!
A test for the clutch... Pull handbrake on hard, start engine, put into top gear (4th ot 5th), rev engine, gently lift clutch pedal until it's fully up and press harder on accellerator at same time. If engine stalls, clutch is ok. If engine continues to run even with foot off clutch pedal then it's time for a new clutch.
Wouldn't have thought it was the clutch though. You can smell them getting hot as they slip and boy, do they stink!
Your original distributor should be the best one. Might be an idea to strip it down and slightly lubricate the mechanical advance weights in the bottom of the dizzy as these can sometimes stick after years of sitting in the dark!
It wouldn't always be hard to start or smoke if compression is down but it is more likely. Bit of a black art is the compression thing!
Might be an idea to check the vaccuum advance/retard tubes are all in place and in good condition as any problems with these can affect performance quite considerably. They run from the carb to the distributor vaccuum advance unit.

[Kaitanpilot]

Cheers for that, gives me a few options to try!!

All the best.

[VWCamperfan]

No problem.

Come back to here if you still have problems and we'll get you onto the complete engine strip-down and rebuild procedure!

[toomanytoys]

Can you fill out a location in your profile please, that way we will know which end of the country you may be and suggest anyone that might be able to help.. (I can have a look if you aint too far from me..)
"an alternative dizzy" doesnt sound good to me.. the std factory electronic system is very good, fitting anything else is pointless.. an alternative would be the 009 that seems to be favoured as a "performance upgrade" in my opinion, its a massive compromise and less effective, and a pointless waste of time and money on the wbx... the original bosch ones were ok, but the repro ones are pants..

could be any amount of items that are not right.. like silencer colapsed and restricting flow.. engine is a DF and not a DG, or has DF heads fitted (DF has smaller ports/valves and is only 60 bhp) timing set correctly? 5-8 deg BTDC vac disconnected..

DG is only 78 bhp.. and in a 2 ton camper will not feel sprightly.. they go ok though..

[CovKid]

You say only 78hp, but I think it depends on if its in good tune and how old it is. Mine is VERY nippy - poor old Ronsrecord can't keep up with me. Mind you, I swear the Kawasaki bike exhaust helps but one thing it isn't is slow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bvi6VuJS0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[clartsonly]

I think you are expecting too much from a carb based vehicle maybe your timing is out a touch.

[jason k]

The carb was fitted at a garage and they set it up on a gas analyser.

therin lies your problem. whilst the idle circuit is set up well , a gas analyser cannot set up main jets!!
if they are too small (most likely) then your bus will idle well but have no guts at all.

get it to a rolling road where they will jet it , time it , and give it the best tune of its life.

its money well spent

[ermie571]

Kaitenpilot,

on the sittingbourne road there is a small industrial estate where I had my carbs sorted - and I beleive Mark (vwcamperfan) had his checked there as well. Although a weber specialist, he has a rolling road and all the gear.

B.D ENGINEERING Car Engine Tuning & Conversion
Tel: 01795 843980| Unit H1, Newington Ind Est, London Rd, Newington, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7NU
Rolling Road Tuning - 2 & 4 WD Power Testing Classic Car Specialist Weber / SU Carburettor Dealer

Em
x

[Kaitanpilot]

Thanks everyone!

I will get it to a rolling road, and take it from there.

Cheers, all the best!

Mark

[toomanytoys]

You say only 78hp, but I think it depends on if its in good tune and how old it is. Mine is VERY nippy - poor old Ronsrecord can't keep up with me. Mind you, I swear the Kawasaki bike exhaust helps but one thing it isn't is slow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bvi6VuJS0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yeah.. tired and poorly set up.. etc etc... and also full camper/bare min will make a difference Yes your new zorst will make it spin up better too...