Reg needs surgery! Help!!!

[nehpets13]

Reg the wedge needs help!

A few weeks back I drove wedge down the road and smoke started coming out of the ignition so new switch was fitted! But poor old Reg wouldn't start? And clutch was very very sloppy.

Friendly man down road had a look and it was the starter motor, starter motor replaced, still no brum brum Friendly man came and had another look and told me engine won't turn over Said engine may have seized

Now Reg was running as sweet as a nut and there is plenty of oil in him, could it be that the clutch has seized on???? Just seems funny that it went sloppy plus slave cylinder looks like it could do with replacing. Please god (you guys) tell me its the clutch as money is a tad tight atm.

And can anyone reccomend anyone in the Watford/Hertfordshire area that could help? And if I feel stupid enough (I mean brave) could I do it? How hard is it? Unless you know of anyone that would help me for a few quid.

I is not a happy bunny!

[nehpets13]

Reg is a 1983 1.9 Aircooled

[Ian Hulley]

Reg is a 1983 1.9 Aircooled

You mean a 2.0 litre Aircooled CU engine OR a 1.9 litre watercooled.

[nehpets13]

Yeah sorry, 2.0L Aircooled

[AdrianC]

Smoke came out of the ignition switch.
The van stopped.

Could it be a seized engine or clutch?

Short answer? No.

My money's on buggered wiring around the ignition switch - it's melted, and that was the smoke you saw.

It's easy enough to test if the starter works. If you can find the terminals on the starter motor, just hold a wire between the small and and the large terminal. The starter should spin, regardless of the ignition switch. Be careful not to touch anything else with it, else life will get sparkly.
Put it in gear and get somebody to sit in the van with their foot on the clutch whilst you do that - you've just proved the clutch works, too. If you're going in from underneath to the terminals, then make sure that the back wheels are up in the air and you're totally clear of them when you do it...

Around Watford... I dunno about VW specialists, but there's a good older-vehicle friendly garage in Chorleywood who run a signwritten T25 panel van. Rickwood Cars. 01923 286655. There's also a good auto-electrician in Chesham - PW Auto Electrics - 01494 793838

I strongly suspect the "sloppy" (what d'you mean by that?") clutch is a separate issue.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Takes a lot to seize an Aircooled...

Simple test, take (probably) 24 mm socket, and short extension, remove squirrel cage covering turbine if its still there, and then with ignition off and out of gear, turn the motor clockwise with the wrench...if it turns all the way through (say) 2 revolutions, then you are in the clear.

The clutch can seize on, especially if the vehicle has stood about a bit....

Can you get someone to tow start you, preferably up a slight slope ,in low gear with a long rope, just to get the engine running, and bang it into neutral once it has fired up

Now comes the scary bit, you need a hill, to drop the engine back into gear, and try to unstick the clutch by yo yo ing on the clutch pedal. Works better with cable clutches.

Hydraulic clutches are ok, till they go west and need bits.

I would put your friendly man down the road in to the 'Doom merchant' category.

I once bought a T2 hightop for £150, cos the owner was convinced that the engine was seized, and it had to be removed from the working man's club car park, turned up with oil petrol, battery, cash and towcar..

The guy was gutted when 10 mins later we drove it out of the carpark... and since there was tax on it.. home...
. never did touch the clutch..

Cordialement,



Adrian, I take it that Rickwood, would be based in valley road, or near the Gate pub, being a composite of Rickmansworth and Chorleywood

[AdrianC]

Adrian, I take it that Rickwood, would be based in valley road, or near the Gate pub, being a composite of Rickmansworth and Chorleywood

Strangely, no - they're in the Swillett, near the Stag.

[nehpets13]

Thanks guys,

We did try the turning the engine over manually but it wouldn't budge, but we now suspect it is the clutch as the slave cylinder is leaking!!!

New slave cyclinder to go on this weekend and mate of mine is going to help me drop the box and take a peek. But we will do the towing thing first.

Many thanks guys

Stephen

[AdrianC]

We did try the turning the engine over manually but it wouldn't budge, but we now suspect it is the clutch as the slave cylinder is leaking!!!

Make sure the gear lever's in neutral, and that won't make a difference.

New slave cyclinder to go on this weekend

Have a very, very good look at the pipework and the unions. Unbolting the slave from the gearbox is the easy bit. You're a long way from needing to drop the box.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Make sure you can turn over the engine before playing clutches and tow starts.

Right... hand brake off, out of gear front wheel chocked, lift 1 rear wheel road free with a jack.

Now crank the engine over by hand, 24 mm ratchet short extension, and 1/2 inch drive.

The engine must turn over through 2 revolutions, mark the fan with tippex,

(why not search for the elusive timing notch at the same time)

Don't be surprised if the road wheel turns as well.

Next, put a chock under the lifted wheel and try to crank again... If your clutch is seized on the whole thing will be solid.

Why 2 turns....... Because abused, under maintained, neglected oil changed, filthy rusty aircooleds go on strike by dropping an exhaust valve.... so the motor will no longer turn through 2 cycles of the crank.... ,

Do this before towing....

Report back, photos are good...

Cordialement,

[AdrianC]

...out of gear...

Next, put a chock under the lifted wheel and try to crank again... If your clutch is seized on the whole thing will be solid.

Not if it's in neutral, surely, John?

There might have been a "put it in gear, and get somebody to sit in the seat with their foot on the clutch" line in there somewhere.

[sarran1955]

...out of gear...

Next, put a chock under the lifted wheel and try to crank again... If your clutch is seized on the whole thing will be solid.

Not if it's in neutral, surely, John?

There might have been a "put it in gear, and get somebody to sit in the seat with their foot on the clutch" line in there somewhere.

OOPs ,

Quite right,

You know... tired.. long day.. excuses excuses...

Cordialement,

[nehpets13]

Many thanks guys, I think your advice is going to save me some time and money!

Really appreciated

Stephen