Help me recommission my T25 please.

[Taipan]

Hi All
Long story short, a few years back my 2.0 air cool T25 developed a rattly engine. As luck had it I got a supposedly reconditioned "Gold" engine, albeit 2nd hand. Some time after that (a year or more) I finally put it in. I've done a few bits here and there but basically its been abandoned on my driveway since. I've ebayed it as a project a couple of times but with the 2nd hand engine having never run people are understandably reluctant to actually part with money for it. So I've decided I may as well see if it'll run or not.
Prior to the original engine going bang (or getting rattly) I was trying to set up the carbs but made a right "cock" up of it and it was basically sitting at a very high idle all the time which was even worse when cold (read nearly screaming it breasticles off). So I need to get the carbs put back to their oem settings before I even think about firing it up. At the time I was (mis) reading some good basic instructions I found on the web, but typically cant find now. Anyone got a link to some illustrated set up instructions for 32-34 pict solex things please?
Assuming I get passed that stage whats my next move? The recon engine came with 009 distributor thing in but I've put the original dizzy back in. Not 100% thats timed up right either.
I have put fresh oil and filter in but the fuel must be 2-3 years old. What do you reckon to this? Syphon out what I can and put fresh in or just bung some fresh in on top of the old?
Anything else I should be considering when firing up an engine that been standing for along time?
Many thanks.

[Taipan]

Okay to answer my own questions but more for the benefit of the archives, this is the article I was originally working from http://www.vw-resource.com/34pict3.html#carb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Bizarrely after thinking my Haynes manual for this was long since lost I found it in the overhead bed area. This covers the basic set up nicely, so I'm off to find a 1mm or less drill to set the butterfly plate to. Then I'll do the choke.....

[Taipan]

Carbs and chokes all set up but looking round I found this unconnected wire which seems to come from the back of the alternator? So if I recall correctly it goes on the supply of the starter motor? Is that right

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Yes, wire goes on back of starter solenoid.

Yes you can start it on 3 yr petrol, it may be a bit rough.

Tinker with your settings.

What is the engine.

What are the carbs.

Conventional ignition (with points)

SVDA dizzy

Please don't use a 009.

A quick reply will give a quicker response.


Cordialement,

[Taipan]

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

Its a 2.0l air cool (Manual).

Carbs are 34 PDSITs.

Bosch (?)breakerless ignition I think? No points in there anyway.

[big red bus]

to be honest you may struggle to start on that age of fuel. I have found that when left for prolnged periods it jellifies. I would crank engine to buld up some oil pressure and then may be alittle fresh fuel down the carb and it will fire instsantly. I would drain the tank and start with fresh, carbs are very sensitive things and after all the setup, getting some "pooh" fuel to block up a jet. Good luck.

[Taipan]

Well i got everything in a basic set up just to gte her started. I took the plugs out to spin her over first as i'd put oil down the bores whilst it was standing. But when I turn the ignition nothing. The pil lights dims a bit but no movement. The engine did turn over in gear a while back but I cant roll it to test it as it currently only has one rear wheel on. So if for THE time being I assume the engine isn't temporarily or partial seized through standing, whats my next move? I cant even hear a click from the starter?

[hicksy]

I dont wanna teach anyone to suck eggs here, but if the lights come on, and them dim when you turn the key it sounds like your battery needs a good charge. Check the voltage across the terminals and in general, if its anything less than 12 volts, you'll have no hope starting her. Get the battery charged overnight and try again, failing that, get one that holds a voltage and try again.

Also, looking at your pics, the terminals for the starter look a little corroded. If you havent done so already, take em off, label what came from where and give a good clean and then re-terminater them back on the starter. Whislt your under there check all the earths to see if they need a clean-up.

Best of luck sir, and let us know how you get on.

[Taipan]

Nail on the head really. The two batteries are both fully discharged. My battery pack is also at 5v which I hadn't realised. I've got everything hooked up to chargers and an optimate at present. Worse thing is I cant move the camper and my jump leads wont reach the batteries! Very frustrating. Looks like it'll be the weekend now! Ho hum! Will update as things change. Thanks.

[Taipan]

The optimate seems to have recovered the battery on the "leisure" side. So I hooked up the jump leads and tried it. Still nothing other than a dimming. But when I turn the ignition on/off there is a clicking noise somewhere from the back? Maybe the starter is jammed? Hard to be accurate from up the front end, so I'll get the wife to try the key later and see if I can locate it. Will clean up connections and earth points too. The engine did turn over by hand with the plugs out originally so I know it was bought seized etc. So I remain hopeful that this is just a simple electrical/starter issue? Typically i have to work Saturday and my kids have plans for me on fathers day on Sunday, so i'm going to be limited on allocating time to this which is becoming increasingly frustrating! I want to hear her run!

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Clicking noise from the back is good.

Fuel shut off solenoids working.

Follow the thread https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 8#p7585567" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This will give you a good dea of how to re-build and set up a twin pdsit engine.

Cordialement,

[Taipan]

The fuel pump clicks away and then shuts off when it reaches pressure okay. But it still wont turn the engine over. To satisfy myself the engine isn't seized I jacked it up and put it in gear and turned it over. the engine turns over freely, so at least I know the engine isn't seized. I still cant get it to turn over on the key. I used jump leads and connected it up to a diesel Picasso soi it would have more than enough cranking amps but still no joy. The lights just dim. So what do you reckon, starter motor stuck/seized?

[BOXY]

You could have turned the engine over by taking the basket off the fan housing and using a socket and extension through the number plate flap to turn it over. Taking off the starter motor is a quick job, especially if you've got the off-side rear wheel off. Don't be tempted to try to test it off the van because the shaft is only supported at the pinion end by the bush in the flywheel housing.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Don't try to start on the leisure battery, (I'm sure someone will come along and explain.........

Use a known good fully charged car battery.

Check (again?) that all leads are on right and clean and shiny.

Use a plastic jerrycan for the fuel, The type with the screwed into the body filler is best, and a length of petrol hose pushed down the jerry tube. Make sure you have your petrol feed hoses round the right way on the pump

You can start with your air cleaner off, but if you don't know what advantages this gives, don't do it. Dont pour fuel down the carbs.

Swithch on ignition, hear clicks, Throttle flat to the floor, clutch in, Keep spinning 'till it starts to fire. leave 2 mins, try again

It's a VW thing


Cordialement,

[Taipan]

Well i took the starter motor out today but its like new on the inside and moves freely. So I'm still not getting any engagement of the starter motor or even a click. All i get is a dimming of the ignition/interior light. Any ideas?