Aircooled engine problems

Post by **robthechemist** » 13 Feb 2008, 10:23

Cheers for the info Steve, other than replacing it, is there anything I can do to help? It's got Solex Carbs on it which I think are original. Is there anyone in West Yorks that has experience in tuning these engines?

Post by **steve8090** » 13 Feb 2008, 10:27

Give Simon at Brickwerks a try, not sure if he is back in work yet, but he's probably your best bet and closest, other than than book it in with us.

Post by **robthechemist** » 13 Feb 2008, 19:53

I 've just have the van at brickwerks before Simon went into hospital for a full service. It runs better (not firing on just 3 cylinders..) but is still fairly lethargic and thirsty.

How far away are you from Brighouse, West Yorks Steve?

Post by **The Reverend Pimp Daddy** » 13 Feb 2008, 21:39

Steve is in Chester
Here's the link

http://www.gasure.co.uk/

Post by **DaisyAirHead** » 14 Feb 2008, 11:58

Hi Rob,

Just wondering whether you are expecting a bit much from the old girl?

There have been similar postings from new T25 air cooled owners.

These vans are pretty heavy and with only 70bhp(Thats from a new 2 litre engine!) max they are never going to set the tarmac on fire.

They should when set up right by able to cope with most hills although slowly.Use lower gears to keep motor spinning rather than labouring.4 speed gearbox also restricts flexibility as there is often the dreaded "hole" in the ratios when say fourth is too high but you have to wait until speed drops enough before going for third!!

Mine has done 110000 from new and still cruises at 60-65,although motorway inclines drops this to 50-55 and causes great fun playing catch-up/overtaken by the artics.

Fuel consumption is around 20mpg.More on a long run,less when you cane it

There is one particularly steep hill on way to coast down my way and we all give Daisy a huge cheer if she can hold 25-30 in second all the way up!!

Remember you will get there eventually.

Best Regards and enjoy your van!!

Post by **robthechemist** » 14 Feb 2008, 12:27

Hello DaisyAirHead,

The reason for the post is, having taken it to Brickwerks, Simon commented on the lack of power from the engine, but doesn't have much experience on the bodged set up in the back of my van. (we suspect there are components missing which doesn't help matters) I'm learning as quickly as I can, but there are still massive gaps

I'm having to resort to getting up hills in 1st/ 2nd most of the way with the engine power levelling at the top end. I get torque for a bit, but the power remains the same with increased revs passed a point of acceleration. My top speed is also lower than 55 on the flat with a tail wind...

I'm not after any speed records, but being overtaken by tractors is still embarrassing

Post by **irishkeet** » 14 Feb 2008, 13:17

you could upgrade the engine with a recon from elite vw

Post by **DaisyAirHead** » 14 Feb 2008, 13:20

Rob,

Yup sounds like all is not well.

Hope you can get to the bottom of the problem.

Don`t get despondent too soon.I was very"green" when I bought Daisy all those years ago and have gained knowledge slowly(only found this fantastic forum recently!) and despite toying with the idea of upgrading to something more modern,cannot part with her.

I am sure all usual checks i.e compression/timing etc will get to the bottom of the issue.Just a thought, could there be a mismatch between your odd engine and gearbox/ratios.? Is it worth tracing past owners to shed some light on things?

I am sure with the help of the great owners in the club and the specialists who you have contacted will solve the problem and hopefully as cheaply as possible.

Good luck and keep updating.

Best regards

Post by **Tex Ritter** » 14 Feb 2008, 20:49

DaisyAirHead wrote:Hi Rob,
they are never going to set the tarmac on fire.

Remember you will get there eventually.

Best Regards and enjoy your van!!

I left a 3 feet trail of rubber once, I was going round a very steep uphill hairpin at the time and the van 'cocked its leg up', it did make the gendarme take notice though.

Tex Ritter 2ltr Aircooled

Post by **robthechemist** » 15 Feb 2008, 13:49

I got some wheelspin on the ice. Does that count?

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 15 Feb 2008, 14:35

Hi Rob.
I'll be back at work at the beginning of March, if you can live with out it for a few days leave it with us and we will fit it in amongst other jobs, better if you can leave it as we can do the tappets from cold.

Has backing the chokes off made any difference?

Maybe worthwhile pulling them carbs in bits also.

Your engine is a CJ from a late bay.

Post by **Laurie** » 15 Feb 2008, 18:04

Does your tinware meet the body? Has it a press on seal?
The CJ has no problem with the cu tins, but a cj with original tins will pick up its own hot air and kill itself.

It is actually a slightly better engine than the CU!

Post by **The Reverend Pimp Daddy** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:27

Laurie wrote: It is actually a slightly better engine than the CU!

in which way ???

Post by **robthechemist** » 16 Feb 2008, 12:57

I adjusted the chokes, but didn't really see much improvement, I've also ordered the parts, should be here when you get back in to work Simon. I also think I should do something about the engine mounts...

Will have it in as soon as you can see it!

To answer the other questions, it has the tinwork from the CJ engine also and until recently was blowing the warm air back into the engine bay. It now goes to the front of the cab following a temporary fix. The seal around the engine bay is not perfect and yes there are gaps (wrong engine, wrong tinwork...).

Post by **Laurie** » 16 Feb 2008, 14:28

Most CJ engines didn't have hydraulic tappets, making them better than the CU *(or 'Jimmy' engine)

You really need to get the proper tinware fitted or the engine will cook itself. Standing in traffic, the engine will only be pulling in the hot air it just threw out the bottom. Then valve seats start coming loose and the fan goes a bit brown