Club 80-90 Forums

I dont have any knowledge about Aircooled engines... mine has being diagnosed with overheating. Ive arranged someone to collect + fix the van but im wondering as to why it overheats and whats the potential issues it can cause..... and how much it could cost to fix!

any advice appreciated

causes are

missing tinware
missing engine bay seal
stuck cooling flaps
weak mixture

damage can be nowt , to burnt pushrod seals
to burn valves / pistons

get it somewhere proper who knows what they are doing

i used http://www.raceshack.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for my Aircooled wedge

as Jason has suggested and here is a few more nuggets

high Cylinder Head Temp can be caused by crap and gunk building up in the fins of the head ....or incorrect Ignition timing .....

If you're getting up to 240 degrees F (oil temp), that's probably a little too hot. A cylinder head temperature guage is a necessity.

Oil temp isn't really much of a worry when it gets hot it is really helping the engine cool.
When the oil gets hot what you really have to worry about is the oil breaking down and not working as oil anymore, your not close to that temp.
If you want to buy some piece of mind use syntetic oil, it has a higher breakdown temp. and a higher pricetag.

The temprature you have to worry about is cylinder head temp.
That is how hot the engine is really getting.
For that you need a CHT gauge.

There is a myth for some reason the Aircooled Buses and vans need a "rest" or cooling off if they get to hot driving.
How many cars do you think VW would have sold if you had to stop at random times in the summer?
An Aircooled engine in good repair is built to go flat out all day long, if it is overheating it has a problem that needs attention.

240 is a fine peak oil temp in the summer with hard driving.

kevtherev wrote:If you want to buy some piece of mind use syntetic oil, it has a higher breakdown temp. and a higher pricetag.

.

syntetic oil will pi$$ out of the push rod seals, the crank seals the oilcooler seals and just about everywhere you can think of, these engines were not designed for syntetic oil, use a good mineral oil if you dont want to spend half you life cleaning your driveway and everyone elses......

What is the correct running temperature range of a 2 litre Aircooled cu engine when measuring by the cylinder head temp measure system? The same as the oil temperature system? Ie around 100 degrees c?

Just to add, the oil cooler could be blocked with schmuck too. Uses the air flow to cool the oil passing through it. Bit like a mini radiator for oil!

Just out of interest, how do you know if an Aircooled engine is overheating ?

Was considering an oil pressure / temp guage. but the CHT sounds a good plan... any advice on one ?

Tatty Chap wrote:Just out of interest, how do you know if an Aircooled engine is overheating ?

Was considering an oil pressure / temp guage. but the CHT sounds a good plan... any advice on one ?

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. I worry sometimes that I'm running a little hot.

I've just seen this one for sale at Cool Air.
http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/ca/3764/mia/ ... id/6554642" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aircooled is designed to run flat out all day long.

why do think your running hot?

pedro wrote:

Tatty Chap wrote:Just out of interest, how do you know if an Aircooled engine is overheating ?

Was considering an oil pressure / temp guage. but the CHT sounds a good plan... any advice on one ?

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. I worry sometimes that I'm running a little hot.

I've just seen this one for sale at Cool Air.
http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/ca/3764/mia/ ... id/6554642" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Saw that myself (after some considerable searching actually !)
Prefer that than a dipstick oil temp sender

Usually if they are overheating you will notice a lack of power and possible pinking from engine.
Can smell hot too!

jason k wrote:Aircooled is designed to run flat out all day long.

why do think your running hot?

I dunno exactly. Driving distances , my mates bay motor always seems cooler when we get there. Maybe I'm being paranoid. It always gets me there, and cruises well.