Help! - No idle, engine cutting out

[sjmtlewy]

Decided it might be fun to drive the van to work today, but she seems to think differently.

Its cutting out every time I drop to idle, coming up to junctions, doing manouvers etc. Otherwise is running beautifully, no drop in power, no other issues and it happens both when hot and cold. When I last drove it a couple of days ago, it didnt have any issues, now after a few nights on the drive its developed this.

Any help much appreciated, as I'm really not looking forward to the drive home!

[ermie571]

Go out to the car park and read it the riot act? Or guilt trip it?? That's what I do....

You don't say what engine....I know of an idle switch thing on the carbs....if that is disconnected it won't idle. Idle cut out switch? sommat like that. Do a search on here for idle switch in a spare 5 mins!


Em
x

[sjmtlewy]

I have considered shouting at it, but people might think me odd(er)..

I stopped half way to check cables etc and didnt see anything obviously disconnected. Its weird, because otherwise its been running better than ever recently. Drove it a hundred miles or so weekend before last, without any trouble. Recently replaced the petrol tank and coolant hoses, but would have thought a fuel issue would manifest itself at any speed.

Also its an '83 1.9DG.

[Ian Hulley]

Check the vacuum advance/retard pipes and hoses, if one of these comes off you have similar symptoms.

Ian

[Mocki]

I have considered shouting at it, but people might think me odd(er)..

I stopped half way to check cables etc and didnt see anything obviously disconnected. Its weird, because otherwise its been running better than ever recently. Drove it a hundred miles or so weekend before last, without any trouble. Recently replaced the petrol tank and coolant hoses, but would have thought a fuel issue would manifest itself at any speed.

Also its an '83 1.9DG.

replaced fuel tank..... did you replace the filter?
either way have a look at the filter, you may well have to replace it again now after disturbing things old.

[sjmtlewy]

I replaced the vac advance and all the hoses a couple of months ago, as the old one had perforated.

One thing I thought of - I've just moved house and the van now gets parked on a slight slope, which it didnt before. Could this have caused something to pool, or settle? Or maybe gunning it up the drive just after starting (first time it stalled) sucked some nasties into the air intake.

Will double check vac hoses, and will check fuel filter. I replaced it about 9 months ago and i know its got a little grit in it, but nothing exciting. However, I've not looked at it since putting on the new tank (its run fine up till now though).

[Ian Hulley]

the van now gets parked on a slight slope, which it didnt before. Could this have caused something to pool, or settle?

Never happened to our's and that's always parked on a slope.

[Mocki]

erm, how could you have not looked at it when fitting a replacement tank? its 8" from where you connect and disconnect the tank outlet????

[sjmtlewy]

because the coolant mixes with the dust and loose underseal to form an ongodly ooze, that then drips into your eyes and blinds you! (I need a new face protector)

[sjmtlewy]

If I hold the throttle so that it is at a "normal" idle speed, it doesn't cut out. But when I release it, the revs drop and it just sort of fades away.

[CovKid]

Couple of things you could try:

Remove air filter, see if it idles then. If it does, replace air filter as its clogged.
Spray WD40 or similar around carb body when its idling and see if speed picks up - they don't like even small air leaks.
Make sure all hoses are connected.

Agree with comment about electromagnetic cutoff jet. If that is disconnected it won't idle. Usually its air related tho - either insufficient at idle, or too much in the wrong place. Lastly, blocked or partially blocked jets but try above first. Remember, for it to idle, it likes a predetermined quantity of fuel AND air. Any change in the ratio (ie air leak) and it'll be too weak and die. At larger throttle openings its less fussy.

[sjmtlewy]

Right, I will:

- check vac hoses
- check cutoff connection
- spray around carb to check for leaks
- check fuel filter
- try running without air filter
- clean out carb
- shout at it

[Devon81]

I have the same problem with my daughters Beetle at present, just stripped and rebuilt Carb with kit, but still cuts out at idle, i have tested the Electromagnetic cut off and that is working ok, let me know if you find your problem, my daughter will not use her Beetle because of it cutting out on idle.

Ian

[edoh]

is there a way you could check your idling speed? rev counter? multi meter - with one lead to the coil and one lead to earth? - should be around 900 kev the revs per minute for a warmed up water cooled petrol engine - might be that your idle speed needs adjusting - long screw facing you - coming out the carb. might need turning slowly in or out?

[sjmtlewy]

Is it possible for the idle screw to move on its own for some reason? As it was working fine; idled without assistance for ages when I was bleeding the coolant not long ago.