Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,

I am a bit of a mechanical numbty but am trying to learn and fix at the same time.

Firstly my van is a 1982 Aircooled twin carb CU 2.0ltr Danbury high top.

Firstly my initial problems occured when I tried using the van after it had been sitting on the drive for a week (usually used daily) with a cover over. It was fine when left on Sunday but I went to start it on Friday and it struggled to get it going, it seemed to want high revs in any gear to keep it going otherwise it would stall.

This continued on a 90 mile drive to parents home, seemed ok cruising but after stopping it was a struggle to get going again. I checked to see if brakes were stuck on and they weren't hot. I then drove it to a local vw Aircooled mechanic the next day and the problem was there but not as bad (typical!). He said there was a number of things that were wrong; v belt loose, air intake into right hand air balance pipe and a venturi screw missing and the throttle linkage was loose. He then said the timing would need setting.

A new belt is fitted, venturi screw in (but from what I've read these shouldn't be touched so I just screwed it completely in), new air pipe.

I then went about adjusting the carbs myself and couldn't get anywhere and I have no timing equipment so put it into a local garage (Ipswich) and got the timing sorted and bent the bracket for the throttle linkage to stop it moving too much. Apparently the haynes factory setting was undrivable but he tuned it to what he thought was ok, he drove it and said he thought it drives fine. I have driven it and it feels down on power and still kanagaroos slightly. It smells rich and has some white smoke on start up.

I keep reading posts and it seems my problems are generic and it could be many things. I have changed the fuel filter today, there was some orange/brown sediment in the bottom and fitted the new one. The old was full of fuel and then new is not filling, even though tank is full. Was the old blocked, should the new be full? Fuel is getting through to the t pipe in the engine bay so I take it the fuel pump is fine. I have done a recent oil change and new oil filter.

I have also bypassed the idle stabilisation unit as this appears to be troublesome and seemed to have helped a bit but its still not back to what it was before issues.

Other things I've noticed; battery light on after start up and flashing while idling -> could do with a charge? Oil leaking, not sure from where but cleaned base of engine and seems to be coming from higher up as there are various drips. There is a lot of dry grinding noises that come from gear leaver, possibly bearings within gear box.

I have knew spark plugs and yet to fit them, to be honest its taking me ages to do things as I'm learning along the way.

Just wanted to see if anyone had any advice for me and where/what to do next. And advice would be appreciated and sorry for the long windedness of above but thought all details could be relevant.

Will

Sounds like you have a rusty fuel tank and your pump is starving. Try placing some petrol in a bucket and running the engine off it (place a small bit of hose attached to your fuel filter dipped directly in the petrol bucket) If you can rev it and it idles fine when warm, then that's your issue. Have your tank cleaned or replaced.

Firstly....I admire you confidence to give it a go!!!

Secondly....put your location in your profile....neer know, there might be an Aircooled nut just around the corner...or within driving distance!

Thirdly......get yourself the Aircooled haynes manual, or even better (if your are feeling flush) the Bently manual. The haynes is good for starters - come up quite often on fleabay...or a useful xmas pressie? from halfords.....beats socks and hankies!!

Battery light flashing....alternator not charging properly. Search regulator/alternater on here....you can change the brushes or sommat. If you don't mind paying postage, think I may have an Aircooled alternator in the garage....you could try it and see if it makes any difference. (unless the belt is loose...)

Not starting when warm.....check all your earths......... gear box, battery and engine. make sure they are all sound. But if your alternator isn't charging, possible that after 90 miles the battery is flat? Dunno, just a guess.

Lots of things to check!

You will learn loads!

Enjoy your van

Em
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E D I T: If you want a no-obligation assessment of the van, and some advice on what is/maybe wrong....give these guys a call Elite VW 01268 581111. They are in Basilson, so don't think a million miles from you.

Em
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Thanks for responses,

Maybe I should try posting some of the questions separately for specific answers re venturi screws etc as its easier for people to see what I'm asking.

I thought it may be fuel starvation but I changed the filter so would have thought the van should run ok for a while?

Em, I will update my location I'm in Ipswich and my parents are at Gamlingay in cambs/beds so can go that way as well. I did have a loose belt but fitted a new one.

I've got a haynes manual thats useful but hasn't got answers to all my questions!

I drove 50 miles today and van seemed very sluggish and had poor pull in fourth gear. The kangarooing was back and when I parked up I had to reverse up the pavement to get parked and it didn't have enough power to get the front wheel onto the pavement.

The fuel filter is only 1/3rd full, shoudl this be completely full?

There seemed to be a funny rubbery burning smell when I got out but couldn't pin point where it was coming from; wheels wern't hot.

Thanks again,

Will

palmerw wrote:Thanks for responses,

Maybe I should try posting some of the questions separately for specific answers re venturi screws etc as its easier for people to see what I'm asking.

I thought it may be fuel starvation but I changed the filter so would have thought the van should run ok for a while?

Em, I will update my location I'm in Ipswich and my parents are at Gamlingay in cambs/beds so can go that way as well. I did have a loose belt but fitted a new one.

I've got a haynes manual thats useful but hasn't got answers to all my questions!

I drove 50 miles today and van seemed very sluggish and had poor pull in fourth gear. The kangarooing was back and when I parked up I had to reverse up the pavement to get parked and it didn't have enough power to get the front wheel onto the pavement.

The fuel filter is only 1/3rd full, shoudl this be completely full?

There seemed to be a funny rubbery burning smell when I got out but couldn't pin point where it was coming from; wheels wern't hot.

Thanks again,

Will

A new fuel filter will just clog up with rust again if the fuel tank is bad. Take the filter out and tap out the residue. If you see any sandy red stuff, then you need to get that fuel tank cleaned/removed.