Help my Bus won't start

[VWCamperfan]

I wouldn't... It's quite possible it would get sucked in!

[j4jon]

Ok, i'll find another helper, maybe i'll have to goto the second hand shop, or maybe that should be third hand shop

[j4jon]

Managed to get some time in daylight today to go and try covering the carbs. I didn't have a helper so tried the duct tape making sure it was well fixed and strapped to something else to stop it getting sucked in.

Cranked the engine over and it fired and ran.

Went round the back and had lots of white / blue smoke initially and smelt unburnt fuel. Uncovered the carbs slightly and left it for a couple of minutes ticking over then removed the tape completely and reinstalled the air filter and idle stabilisation unit and it still started and ran ok.

Whilst it was running with the tape covering the air intakes there was a sucking noise which I guess is where it was getting the air from so I think I need to check all vacuum pipes and replace if necessary, especially the one that joins the two carbs together, as that seems to be leaking.

I want to say a big thanks to everybody who has helped and provided advice to get it started.

[clartsonly]

With a new starter motor your engine should be whizzing round. I would change that bush. Shame you didn't do it when the motor was out but gives you another excuse to go under the bus in the freezing cold!

The olite bush is more important than the starter, get it soaked in oil for 24 hours then replaced, buy two in case you break one. I have a new starter "18 months" and it has started to go slow again already, it cannot possibly be the starter it will be the bush again.

btw. if it is really that bad why not take it back?

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ignore my premature post from above, you have sorted out the bulk of your issues now.. although I am still suprised you bought it unless it was a "non runner"

[j4jon]

When I went to see it initially it didn't start but sounded like a bad earth (which it turns out I was right just didn't check it properly). I think the other non starting issue is just because it has been sat for so long without being started, a good two if not 3 months. The other issue was the clutch cable but having broken a second one whilst trying to get it started, I have worked out the clutch cable was being used as the earth and when I pressed the clutch down whilst trying to start it then it snapped or more correctly it actually melted.

I took a chance and using the above points got it quite a bit cheaper than advertised, I did go through a stage thinking why did I do it, but now that it runs I'm happy.

[VWCamperfan]

Yippee!
Well done!

[clartsonly]

I just looked at the advert and if you got it for anything near his asking price you got an excellent deal. I know they are only photos but the window seals , steps and roof are nearly always a changable item, maybe he was constantly snapping the clutch cables due to the electrical short.

I hope when I sell mine I wont need to make a 50% loss on it.