Club 80-90 Forums

Hi again,

I've recently been posting about some issues I've been having with poor running, starting and fuel consumption here https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=45439" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

I have a 1982 Danbury hightop 2.0ltr CU with what looks to be like a second engine (volkspares) put in in 2001 and has covered 47,000 miles (from the cost and trying to desipher the writing of the garage in the history!).

I have been talking to a mechanic at my parents home who is well known and respeacted with older Aircooled engines. As in the posting above he has been helping me get my van back to what it was before I had problems; carbs balanced, throttle linkage tightened and valves set. I have yet to set the values properly as suggested on the last post and I had a call from him this evening saying he consulted a freind of his who knows type 4 engines and described the symptoms and tests that he has carried out and was told that the compression test (112) on all cylinders was the bottom for this engine and said it was on its way out in a few thousand miles.


So what I'm really after is for someone to say its fine; just flick this magical switch and all will be good....

But realistically is their anything I can do/check to rule everything out.

The initial problems started suddenly after having the van sit for 5 days (after using it for a daily runner <3miles) it needed high revs to stay alive and was really slow lost all performance up hill. It was like a switch had been turned and it is now in crap mode. Problems at the moment tend to be varying performance, every now and then jerks forward like its missing, fuel consumption seems higher, when cold stalling at every junction when clutch depressed and when starting it seems to be turning over very slowly and trying to fire up every now and then; that can also be an intermittent problem.

So far I have done:
fuel filter change
spark plugs
air filter
oil change (mobile 15w40)
oil filter change
rubber balnce pipe
venturi screw replaced in left carb
timing done by 2 mechanics
throttle tighted
carbs balanced

Any help would be appreciated. And if necessary reccomendations for garages that will replace engines in or around the Ipswich area or any running 2.0ltr Aircooled engines that anyone has to sell!

Cheers,

Will

Funnily I've been redoing the roof lining and interior and now can't use the dam thing.

Just a point here, Volkspares used solid lifters in their rebuilds so do not set the valves as per the hydraulic setting, they must be gapped to 0.006" (six thousanths of an inch) when cold or just touching when hot, if they have been set as per the hydraulic set then that would explain the lack of compression as they will never shut.

Hi Steve,

They have a sticker on the rocker cover saying Volkspares hydraulic tappets. They were gapped to 0.006" (six thousanths of an inch) when cold. From the previous post I think it was said that they should have been set as per hydraulic?

Cheers,

Will

Right...! Firstly I would set the hydraulic lifters as hydraulic lifters... 1.25 turns in from just touching. If they are not hydraulic it is unlikely the engine will start due to very little compression as the valves will be staying open slightly. Set the valves after a fair run as they will then have pressure in them and adjustment will be more accurate.
I would check to make sure you havn't got water in your fuel tank. It happens quite a lot with these vans as the design of the tank means rust can eat through the top and allow water in. Water can also get in through the rubber filler neck just behind the fuel cap as these frequently split.
Just one other thing to check, take a look at all your major earthing points ie. battery terminals, connection to van near battery box under seat and earthing strap on gearbox.

And as a last, desperate measure for a 3rd opinion, speak to Elite in Basildon? My geography is CARP though, so apologies if I am miles out!!

01268 581111

Try that stuff above.....and interestingly, my rocker cover said solid lifters....Maybe hydraulic was an option?

Em
x

(but, the history of volkspares engines isn't good....my volkspares recon lasted 14 months and 10,000 miles before it dropped sommat and they refused to repair it Didn't know about their reputation at the time.and interestingly, my rocker cover said solid lifters....Maybe hydraulic was an option?)

have you tried bypassingg the idle stabilisation unit??
its a small black box in the front left of the engine bay. there will be two plugs going to it. remove em and join em together.
a dicky dis can cause some odd running problems.

but i would find out if you have hydraulic or solid lifters as a priority.

then you can set em as they should be and re do your compression test.

Thanks for replies everyone.

As I haven't got compression testing gear etc it will need to go to an garage anyway and I've got other things to do with my free time at the moment anyway! Thanks for elites details Em its only an hour and a bits drive from me, I gave them a ring and they were very helpful. He suggested that a new engine may not be necessary; he would service and check it out to see whats going on. I thought if it needs a new engine its the best place anyway, so hopefully it will be fixed whatever! I'm taking it Friday and will reply back to the fourm with hopefully what was wrong.

Cheers,

Will

Will,

no problem mate - you're in safe hands there...

Just a note on finding them.....they are up a tiny entrance right next to the Homebase entrance. Indicate as if you were turning into homebase, but actually go up the driveway next to it....there is an elite sign there, with a few others....up the track past a house, then follow round to the right....then you will see all the VWs!!

Say hi to the Micks (big Mick and little Mick!) for me!

Em
x

I had no probs with Elite, engine is proper sorted now.

Need to take it back for its 500 mile service soon, then I can finally go over 50 !

I have had a call from Mick today and it does need a new engine.

He said it has overheated a couple of times some of the compressions were low and all over the place, the dizzy is knackered and was advanced by 15 degrees (i think) and air leaks everywhere.

Oh well its only money...

Thanks for recommendations and advice everyone.

Friday I will have my new van and maybe no more oil leaks! Although I was kind of liking the saying the vans just marking its territory!

Cheers,

Will