Club 80-90 Forums

hi all, new to this site so bear with me, we have just purchased an '81 vanagon westy, 2litre Aircooled with injection system fitted, the injection is knacked so we are changing to carbs, the guy we bought from supplied the carbs and a few bits etc, has anyone done this before and if so has anyone got any pics or advice as it all seems to sit quite high , not sure we will be able to close engine bay lid when done???? or is there an easy injection repair, van starts fine then after a couple of second just dies, fuel is getting through no problem???? help please

What carbs were supplied do you know?

i would suspect that what he's given you are bay parts. the carbs are the same but the manifolds are shorter on the wedgie bus for obvious reasons!

i've converted injection to carbs and it's not difficult when you have all the relevant parts.

i dunno much about old injection systems and have only experience of probs with my 2.1 wasserboxer.

i've solved all the problems i've ever had with that by changing the petrol tank, pump, filters, injectors and pressure regulator.

it would be worth yer while getting someone who knows the system to check it for you, when they run right they are great.

kevtherev wrote:What carbs were supplied do you know?

ithink the carbs are solex?? the whole system does sit high so im not sure this is the right kit??? any experience with this?
cheers matt

oorwullie wrote:i would suspect that what he's given you are bay parts. the carbs are the same but the manifolds are shorter on the wedgie bus for obvious reasons!

i've converted injection to carbs and it's not difficult when you have all the relevant parts.

i dunno much about old injection systems and have only experience of probs with my 2.1 wasserboxer.

i've solved all the problems i've ever had with that by changing the petrol tank, pump, filters, injectors and pressure regulator.

it would be worth yer while getting someone who knows the system to check it for you, when they run right they are great.

that would make sense that the manifolds are longer! any idea where to get correct manifolds??
cheers matt

i have plenty manifolds here but a bit far!

the bay throttle linkage bar is also not the same as the wedge and the vacuum balance pipes are different.

i think you'll need a pressure reducer if you use the original electric fuel pump, otherwise use a low pressure one.

i dunno if the original injection dizzy will work, i used original Aircooled pointless ignition.

tiss a curious thing that the fuel injected aircooleds still had points in the dizzy.

oorwullie wrote:i have plenty manifolds here but a bit far!

the bay throttle linkage bar is also not the same as the wedge and the vacuum balance pipes are different.

i think you'll need a pressure reducer if you use the original electric fuel pump, otherwise use a low pressure one.

i dunno if the original injection dizzy will work, i used original Aircooled pointless ignition.

tiss a curious thing that the fuel injected aircooleds still had points in the dizzy.

hmmmm! sounds like i might be best buying a complete new carb set up from Just kampers or vw heritage and sell mine on! thanks for the advice, being new to this we are scratching our heads a bit!! we just wanna drive our van!

i wouldn't recommend any chinese single central carb set up.

it shouldn't be impossible to find the manifolds etc in the UK for a reasonable price, post a want ad with pictures of what you have and asking for what you need.
give it a few days.

oorwullie wrote:i wouldn't recommend any chinese single central carb set up.

it shouldn't be impossible to find the manifolds etc in the UK for a reasonable price, post a want ad with pictures of what you have and asking for what you need.
give it a few days.

i was going to try to get twin webers or stick with solex?? yes maybe the wanted section is the way
thanks for your help
much appreciated
cheers matt

Hi Sages, I too have an injected 2l, there is not much that can go wrong with them that can't be traced to either a bad earth or an air leak. rather than mess about converting to carbs, why not spend a few minutes (hours) sorting the basics of the injection? If you google L-Jetronic, it will come up with quite a few sites that will take you through the check list. There are also several sites which have the official Bosch L-Jetronic manual. Ratwell is a good place to start. When you turn the key initially, the fifth injector operates to richen the mixture whilst cranking the engine, so it sounds like a fuel/air leak problem if the engine dies shortly afterward. I have had my fuel injection in bits and rebuilt it, it's fairly basic as far as modern injection systems go, so if there is any way I can help?
Best of luck whichever way you decide to go!

Hi Again, forgot to mention the fuel pump is also powered up when cranking the engine. When you release the key, power to the pump is supplied via a microswitch in the air flow meter, which only opens when there is air flow moving the internal vane. You can check it by removing the air filter and moving the vane with a stick or finger. With the ignition on you should hear the pump starting when you move the vane. Doesn't have to move very much. If the vane won't move, a clean-up should cure the problem; it should move quite easily and spring back when released. If it's starting, the injection system is working.
Good luck!

ian&jan wrote:Hi Again, forgot to mention the fuel pump is also powered up when cranking the engine. When you release the key, power to the pump is supplied via a microswitch in the air flow meter, which only opens when there is air flow moving the internal vane. You can check it by removing the air filter and moving the vane with a stick or finger. With the ignition on you should hear the pump starting when you move the vane. Doesn't have to move very much. If the vane won't move, a clean-up should cure the problem; it should move quite easily and spring back when released. If it's starting, the injection system is working.
Good luck!

OH!!! we have already began the carb install but now ive read this i will keep hold of it for when the carbs fail!lol its a bit of an education this van and we really are not at all mechanically minded but i have to say this forum is a blessing!
i will keep you posted but guess we thought we were going for the easy option buying new kit!
thanks for your help though , really good to know there is someone that knows what they are doin!