Stuck in France! Advice for mechanics please

[sunblu7]

AdrianC - forgot to answer your question - when it died it was suddenly on all four cylinders. But prior to that it did do a couple of seconds of misfiring.

It does seem to clear after a while or as a result of fiddling, as the garage can get it to go enough for them to believe it is fixed - but it is perhaps a by product of the other actions.

[oorwullie]

just in case i can find anyone who'd help ,what you could do is post here EXACTLY where you are and EXACTLY where the garage is that has your bus, and your phone number.

i'm assuming it's a 2 litre Aircooled?

[mark]

hi not wanting to muddy the waters further, but you say it was raining, have the garage checked for water in the fuel, check the condition of the seals from the filler cap to tank and the breather hoses and that the fuel pump push rod is 100mm in length. hope the problem is rectified soon and your on your merry way

mark

[sunblu7]

Thanks oorwullie - it was extraordinarily heavy rain so it wouldn't surprise me if you are right - I am forwarding these suggestions to the mechanic and he is feeding back on them so I think it is helping the process.

[sunblu7]

The van is at Zins garage in Colmar - we are an hour away at a campsite at Gerardmer. My mobile number is 07887 894781. Please call one and all - it will make a pleasant change from companies telling me that I am eligible for compensation on a non-existant insurance policy.

[sunblu7]

Yes - 2.0l Aircooled, 1980, Devon.

[oorwullie]

i never heard of gerardmer before, looks like a nice spot!

are you on le ramberchamp or le pré vert?

i found:
Carrosserie Zins
19 Rue d'Agen
68000 Colmar
Frankreich

is the bus there?

i see there's also a dépanage just down the street :

Dépannage Josseron
20 Rue Agen
68000 Colmar
Frankreich

[oorwullie]

your phone is presumably UK based?

[oorwullie]

i posted this in june, might be worth trying to contact someone from that club.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=598619" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sunblu7]

Sorry for delay - wifi crash - yes number is UK +44 (0)7887 894781

The garage is at 19 Rue d'Agen - Zins garage.

We're actually at Gademont - nice campsite in forest with own lake and canoes, fires allowed, great walks in forest. An upside of he whole episode is that we were able to move to a pitch overlooking lake - v picturesque!
http://www.france-voyage.com/campsites/ ... anccontact" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'll take a look at that link - wifi permitting.

I just spoke with mechanic - will get an update at 5pm French time.

[sunblu7]

Here's the update from the mechanic care of google translate:

'We checked the fuel. No water in it.
The ignition works well, there is fuel to the pump.
This is certainly another mechanical problem (engine)'

That's disappointing. Anyone have any thoughts on what engine problem could cause it to cut out when there is petrol and a good spark?

A loose lead?

Could they tell if there is not water in the tank, without draining it and refilling it?

I'll see if I can get more details.

[AdrianC]

Could they tell if there is not water in the tank, without draining it and refilling it?

Absolutely. Just take a sample of the fuel, and test it.

Have they done a compression test?
If there's fuel, and compression, and a spark, then it's got all the basics. If it starts and runs, then they're all at roughly the right time and ratio. Which means it must be NEARLY there.

[toolsntat]

Just a thought, but fuel pump push rods sometimes do wear down, to a point where they cannot keep up with the carbs on longer runs.
It did it to me and took me way too long to sus the fault
If I'm correct the true length is 139.8 mm part no 127 307 021A

Hope you get sorted soon
Andy

[Evsi]

I'm guessing they've checked, but Is there fuel after the pump more importantly?

[Flyingchunk]

I've got the same engine, and just got back from France myself after numerous problems.

I really feel for you as I was able to solve all issues myself.

Can I ask....how much stuff are you lugging around?

Have you added to your original load?

I've got 2 kids ands a 2 weeks full of camping gear in mine right now. We loaded up at Calais with wine, and the poor thing threw a fit when we put pressure on it.

After three stops and various hoses and things popping off due to the sheer weight in the van we limped home at 45 mph, because it couldn't take the load on hills.

You say you also towing? Try driving it after "fixing" without any load on it. The breather pipes on my experience pop off in a heartbeat if old and under any stress.

Added after a good sleep: I guess you're driving it in unladen from the garage anyway. Doh!

When you say its misfiring, are you actually hearing the fuel explode in the exhaust or does it just "feel" like is misfiring?

If the mech says he's checked all the fuel options (which it sounds like to be honest), and the electricals have all been replaced, then it could be air (too much, or not enough). As I've said, I've had my fair share of these problems on my air-cooled engine.

If any breather pipes or joints have deteriorated and become soft they can be fine at idle when there is not much vacuum. However add more vacuum (when you start to drive off) they constrict and then starve the engine of air.

It's a long shot, and I'm certainly not as clued up as many on here, but if the mystery is continuing and they are continuing to drain you of Euros, then it's better to explore every avenue.