Opinions on a few 'features' please

[StuM]

Hi All,

Did my first long trip for ages in my van on Friday and noticed a few issues. Traffic was horrendous, so much of the five hour trip was spent in stop-start traffic.

* After a long time in traffic the temp guage got very high. Red light didn't appear and fan kicks in, but got me concerned enough to park up for 15 mins to let it cool.
* When it got hot, the clutch started to squeal a little when depressed and first 'crashed' in a little
* Took ages to restart when hot and when it did start it didnt run especially well.
* I've never had any sign of water leaks, but the water levels in both header and expansion tank were low at end of journey
* I get a judder when pulling away in first. Initially I thought gearbox mounts (having researched on here) but given clutch squeal above, wondered about clutch.

Any comments welcome on this please. Is getting hot in stationary traffic par for the course with these vans?

Thanks,
Stu

[Krugerbaydesign]

You don't mention which engine you are running, i am presuming 1.9DG (Watercooled)? if so mine does much the same when in traffic. Gets warm fan kicks in, I think its fairly normal, as in it working as designed I would have thought. Mine is due a coolant flush and refresh so I would think that will help a bit.
Also you mention clutch Judder, again I am presuming you have the dogleg gearbox so you have the 1st which is a crawler gear. If you just use the clutch without se sawing the accelarator I don't get any judder at all. Worst case it could be that your Thrust bearing is in need of a change??

But I am no expert on Wedges so some of the other guys may be better placed to advise on the above.

[Aidan]

when in traffic and the temp rises and the fan kicks in if stationary give th engine some revs and watch the temp needle drop as the cooled water from the rad circulates, this is fine and shows the rad is working and the water pump is too
a lot of vans have leaks on the coolant system, if in the engine bay often drip onto exhaust and evaporates so no tell tell stains on the ground, worth parking it up over some cardboard when hot have a brew and then check for any leaks if you are constantly having to top up
where's the clutch bite point ? if low then it's probably clutch replacement time, do the spigot bearing too whilst you are there, £8 and a little bit more work is well worth it

[StuM]

Thanks both.

Aidan - clutch bite seems ok, but I'll double check that. What percentage into the travel would normal bite be? I've no idea how old the clutch is and I've got evidence of leaks at the driveshaft so could be time for an overhaul.

Thanks for the tip on revs to get the cooler water flowing.

Engine in signature - 1.9DG. Non-dogleg 4 speed box.

Cheers,
Stu

[CovKid]

Judder in 1st - could be clutch or engine mounts.

I must admit, I find the running temperature situation alarming at times. In the winter my temp gauge doesn't even even get off the mark yet in Summer it can run from mid way to worryingly high - despite thermostat replacements. I recently fitted a chicken switch to the double fan speed setting and now flick it on if it looks like I'm in a tailback. That brings it back to a very reassuring reading quite quickly. I just wish the thermostat was a tadge more sensitive - or even adjustable.

Or better still:

http://www.van-cafe.com/shop/images/Van ... tion-c.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.van-cafe.com/shop/images/Van ... atures.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or pricey: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kenlowe-Adjus ... 53f204ce14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[StuM]

Thanks for that. I might go down the chicken switch line - if nothing else it wouls give me a psychological boost!

[nevill3]

Turn your heater up to hot and put the fan on and open the windows, this helps too if you get really concerned and stuck in a traffic jam.

My VW manual that came with the van suggests running the heater fan on low speed at all times, I would do this but the squeaking would drive me mad

[StuM]

Thanks. Actually did that and it helped. When I got the van the heater valve was broken so I got used to permanent sauna! Fixed now though

[StuM]

Hi All,

The van had another decent outing at the weekend and provided a great, temporary home for me and 3 others (2 in awning!) at V Festival. Journey there was fine in light traffic. At the end of the weekend I even felt slightly smug that I was able to help jump-start a guy's T4 for him to get him underway!

However, once I left the site and hit horrific traffic on the A12, I had to play the nasty game of sitting, feeling the whole front of the van heat up. The temp gauge didn't go beyond 3/4 and I *think* the fan came on (will test that again now I'm home). However, once really hot, the van started running really badly again - nearly stalling whilst crawling along etc. Decided to exit the A12 to park up and let it cool down a bit - got up to a roundabout and the van stalled pulling out. Couldn't get it to fire again - felt like it was flooding. After pushing it to a safe spot, I checked the coolant - header full, expansion tank up above the cap level. After a 20 minute break, it restarted fine and was pretty much ok all the way home (via lots of traffic-avoiding back roads).

Can't get my head around this - why the poor running/stalling when it gets hot? Any ideas?

Also, it has never overheated to the point of red lights - the lights work, I have tested this. So, am I worrying unduly about it getting hot and blaming the heat for something else that is causing the bad running?! It runs really well when temps are normal and not in traffic. As an indication of the traffic, we crawled 5 miles in about an hour and it was a warm day.

The exhaust has blown a little for a while, but after yesterdays run home it is now starting to sound very loud. Can exhaust leaks cause such issues?

Dreading a new exhaust - the studs look like they've been at the bottom of the sea for 50 years!

As the van is now being used for our family trips, if it starts becoming troublesome it might have to go live elsewhere!

Thanks for any thoughts you may have.

Cheers,
Stu

[Oldiebut goodie]

Isn't the non starting when v. hot sometimes linked to the coil breaking down on those old petrol engines?

[StuM]

Isn't the non starting when v. hot sometimes linked to the coil breaking down on those old petrol engines?

Hi,

I fitted a new coil about 600 miles ago at the same time that I switched back to the electronic ignition (previous owner retrofitted a 009 dizzy). No reason for doing it then other than I did all the leads, dizzy cap, rotor arms etc so thought I might as well do the coil then too. Original was a green labelled Bosch one - new one was from JK (bought before I found Brickwerks!): http://www.justkampers.com/211-905-115- ... -1992.html

Cheers,
Stu

[Ian Hulley]

I *think* the fan came on

If the 2nd stage fan comes on (IF it's got the 2 stage fan) you would know 100% instantly Fitting a chicken switch would work BUT you are merely masking a deeper issue.

Ian

[Johnt25]

Isn't the non starting when v. hot sometimes linked to the coil breaking down on those old petrol engines?

Hi,

I fitted a new coil about 600 miles ago at the same time that I switched back to the electronic ignition (previous owner retrofitted a 009 dizzy). No reason for doing it then other than I did all the leads, dizzy cap, rotor arms etc so thought I might as well do the coil then too. Original was a green labelled Bosch one - new one was from JK (bought before I found Brickwerks!): http://www.justkampers.com/211-905-115- ... -1992.html

Cheers,
Stu

Have been following this with interest Stu - mainly 'cos ours was stalling, running rough and cutting out. Dunno if this helps, but with you saying you replaced the coil I wondered if yours has an ignition amplifier?

We had two separate problems: the Ignition Amplifier was packing up, a replacement from Brickwerks and the stalling and cutting out were solved, but, running like a bag of nails when very hot (in traffic!) and again, hard to start when warm was caused by fuel evaporation - the fuel pipe and in-line filter were resting on the inlet manifold. which is very hot when sat in traffic. As soon as we replaced these pipes in a cooler place (higher!) it's been brill since.

All the best,

John

[StuM]

Fitting a chicken switch would work BUT you are merely masking a deeper issue.

Ian

Thanks Ian. I'm going to leave the chicken switch for now and see how I go sorting the issue

Cheers,
Stu

[StuM]

Have been following this with interest Stu - mainly 'cos ours was stalling, running rough and cutting out. Dunno if this helps, but with you saying you replaced the coil I wondered if yours has an ignition amplifier?

We had two separate problems: the Ignition Amplifier was packing up, a replacement from Brickwerks and the stalling and cutting out were solved, but, running like a bag of nails when very hot (in traffic!) and again, hard to start when warm was caused by fuel evaporation - the fuel pipe and in-line filter were resting on the inlet manifold. which is very hot when sat in traffic. As soon as we replaced these pipes in a cooler place (higher!) it's been brill since.

All the best,

John

Thanks John. I have a spare amplifier in my box of van bits so will give that a go and check the fuel lines. My in line filter is under the van about half way along.

Fingers crossed!

Regards,
Stu