Club 80-90 Forums

Hi folks. Unfortunately, i don't have a nearby VW mechanic who'll touch an Aircooled so I am hoping for the assistance of you gents.

I got this RHD, electronic ignition, pop-top, westfalia conversion van in about September '16 and the performance has been poor since day 1. On the flat open road, it will barely make 55mph and that's foot to the floor and even a mild hill will make third seem too high a gear. Maybe 20 m.p.g open road? It's started to misfire quite badly and admittedly it's partly due to me not using it much due to the dire performance.

I put together a list of things to investigate and what I now know - new plugs (dry and black already so fuel rich?), one of the solex carbs has a cracked gasket which i'm gonna replace and a loose item from a knackered thread which I can't identify (pic below) , I hear the silicone HT leads fitted are not a wise choice for this engine (too high resistance?), ignition coil (green label) primary resistance 2.5 ohms so potentially too high, dizzy cap and rotor arm is OK, i've oiled the dizzy shaft counterweights, gone through all the LT and HT connections and ensured no other carb air leaks. Also carefully opened both carbs and cleaned them out.

Today, i suspected the ignition timing so I warmed it up, connected the idle unit plugs together and (without a tacho) held it at an even rev and she was showing about 5-6 degrees btdc BUT when it misfired it would jump to 12 degrees btdc. Is this a result of the misfire, or is the jump causing the misfire?

http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/jock8 ... g.html?o=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Other than replacing every single component, can anyone explain the jumping ignition timing, misfire and/or poor performance?


The photo shows one lead that is underneath the airbox that has no connection and I can't identify where it goes but it might not now be relevant.
http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/jock8 ... g.html?o=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Slightly unrelated, but it there a cooling system duct missing on the RH of this pic?

http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/jock8 ... g.html?o=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Appreciate you looking

Ed

Hi Ed,

there is a chap, lives in France - Sarran1955 I think his user name is. Rebuilds the Aircooled. Has made lots of videos and guidance on youtube as well. Search for his threads and you will be in Aircooled technical heaven

Hello,

Hey Presto...(puff of green smoke icon)

Well there is certainly some work to be done here....

These may be of help..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkyBAMMHpa4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=najLc9GlLJ0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In a good state of tune these engines produce 70 bhp....so 65 mph cruising at between 19 to 22 mpg..

A loose solenoid shut off (photo) will not help..

A sure sign of badly tuned carbs is the mighty home made throttle return spring..

Aircooled Bliss..

Cordialement

Whoops, duplicated above post but cant delete

Thanks for the directions ermie571

Sarran, thanks for dropping by. Just spent the last couple of days watching some of your vids. I think its fair to say you might know a thing or two about aircooleds. I'm going to watch your dizzie vid tonight to see what I can pick up but what's on my list to replace so far:

Carb gaskets,
Coil & leads
Dizzy maybe (depending on what I learn from the vid)
And now a replacement throttle return spring To be purchased, not made

I reckon the carbs probably need tweaked but I don't have the equipment yet to do it. Either the analyser or anything else so I will have to leave it for the moment.

About the misfire, Sarran, does the misfire cause the igniton jump or is it the other way around?