We looking for some pointers on how to get our van running smoothly again.
Recently our 1983 watercooled 1.9 Petrol van blew a spark plug out. Took it to the garage and had to have a new tap and insert put in - tbh I should have probably just done this myself... anyway
Seemed ok, and ran fine round the local town. We then took her for a camping trip about 100 miles away. Got stuck in Bank holiday traffic and had about half an hour there with first gear crawling. Engine seemed a little sluggish after that, with the occasional misfire and backfire. ( after about 50miles)
Thought some new HT leads might help so I started with passenger side front lead on the dizzy to the plug. without changing the rest (just to see if it was the right cable fitting - maybe a rookie error) anyway the van failed to start and sounded like it does just now.
Limped it to the garage and they just replaced that spark plug, with the original HT lead and it was running, I thought they had made sure it was good, but we then had a few problems.
We took it for another trip to shell island and after about 70 miles with a mild shudder from what i would assume a misfire, she cut out at some temp light, started again fine and got us there.
On the way home, she cut out on us twice after going over the steep hills of Snowdon. Then the third cut out in temp traffic lights, so pushed into the side of the road. Called recovery and after about an hour she started again, just about got it to Bala, then a loud backfire and cut out so we got a recovery home. Pickup guy said it sounds like its only firing on 3 when we tried to start up. Doesn't idle unless gas pedal is pressed a little. Taking foot off and she stalls.
Smells like it is burning rich, but that has been like that for a while, i know about the air screw to the pierberg carb now - although how much ? and is this really the problem?
What is next to look at do those with some experience have?
Thanks in advance,
Daisy x
let me know if you need better info - videos of me running etc.
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*first time poster long time reader... thanks to a couple of 80-90 lovers who needed a spare fuel pump on shell island first week sept '23 suggested i use the forums a little more, hope that fixed your van. Also anyone near Wirral, looking for people who know how to troubleshoot these issues
