Help! - No idle, engine cutting out

[CovKid]

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

The same applies here. Beetles IN PARTICULAR suffer from worn thottle flap syndome. The Solex is a great little carb but it will bite you if it has any leaks. You can spot this by spraying WD40 around the ends of the throttle flap spindle (thats the flap at the bottom rather than the choke at the top). If spraying around here when idling causes the revs to go up, take your the carb to Roger Ball (have his number) as he knows bug carbs well is a VW enthusiast and rebuilds the flap spindle better than new - cheaper than a new carb. Otherwise it could be air getting in via carbs lower gasket (where it meets manifold), a pipe off or missing, or a leak on the inlet port where it meets the heads (where the plugs are) - again Wd40 sprayed around there may find the leak.

If it IS carb wear, you couldn't be better placed as Roger Ball is just outside Clacton!

Best guy for welding is Malcolm Rooks at Wivenhoe, and for garage work, John Austin (Colchester) - good job I've lived in a few places!

PM me if you need any contact numbers. I know the best guys down that way - the ones that don't rip you off

[sjmtlewy]

Went back to van - is idling now, but slow and slighlty rough. Might just be that the weather has improved.

Removed air filter - no difference
Sprayed for leaks - none found
Check vac hoses - seem fine
Checked cutoff connection - definitely cuts off when I pull it off.
Checked fuel filter - hrm, gone brown and full of crap!

So i guess i'll get a new fuel filter. Will also give carb a quick clean and clean the little fuel filter in the carb, in case anything got that far.
I wonder where all the gunk came from, the new tank was nice and clean, plus I redid every hose, grommit, connection and clamp that I could find.

Will let you know if that improves things

[thebeach2008]

hey devon 81 if your daughters beetle is a twin port check themanifold rubbers that join the manifold ends to the main manifold, mine were split on a beetle i once had and that caused it to cut out all the time at idle, sorry thats no help to this post but i thought that i would pass that on

[ermie571]

Well done mate...looks like you have found the source of your problems! Hope it works. If it doesn't, you still have the shouting option!!

(never done much for the van, in my experience, but generally tended to make me feel better!)

Em
x

[edoh]

i guess some fuel may have remained in the fuel pipes/pump/carb n filter when u changed the tank -
clogged up fuel filter might be the cause of your idling symtom - if so -
an easy fix - just make sure the filter you replace is pointing the same way as the one you took off -
another tip from the forum - remove black plastic holder from top of carb (3 nuts) - start up engine - pull accelerator cable to rev up n 'clear throat' -of carb - then put a hand on top of carb to seal air getting in or out - and pull accelerator cable again to rev up - can sometimes clear though any crud caught in the system -

[sjmtlewy]

There seem to be two sizes of fuel filter generally available. JK sells a large one and brickwerks a small one - my current one is a small and my local factors sell both, does it make a difference?

[Mocki]

fit the small one.
no need for the big one, or the extra cost

[RedSquirrel]

There's a rubber bit that links the top of the filler neck to the petrol cap and it perishes. Mine was actually split all the way round. Did you change that when you replaced the tank? I'm sure there was a post by Simon Baxer about it somewhere, but I can't find it.

[sjmtlewy]

Yup - already done. Changed that, the plastic surround, metal disc, all rubber hoses, all the grommits/seals, level sender and filled some holes in the breather tanks. Filter is just about the only thing that didnt get done and that was only because I did not that long ago.

[81AirCooled]

Had the same problem recently. As soon as I came up to junctions or idled it cut out. The fuee filter looked ok but as soon as I changed it the problem disappeared.

[CovKid]

The smaller filter can cause it too although it'll also cause that sudden drop in power when you're at full throttle.

[sjmtlewy]

So you'd recommend a larger filter then?

[CovKid]

No, I'm referring to the hidden filter inside the fuel inlet on carb - not everyone knows it even exists. There are two filters, that one and the conventional one on the fuel line towards the front.

[simony]

is the hidden fuel filter also on the solex carb ?

[sjmtlewy]

Ah right - crossed wires there. I did clean the hidden one not long ago, but might be worth another look in light of all this. I had a hell of time getting it out last time though, so I want to try and avoid manhandling it more than is necessary.

New main filter fitted. Noticed the new one is even smaller than the old one, though can't remember where the old one came from tbh - might have been an ebay job. It was completely gunged up with a nice thick rusty sediment. Haven't had chance for a test drive yet, but it is definitely idling properly on the drive.

Cheers for all the help.