Aircooled not starting

[hooja]

Thinking about buying a 1980 2.0 Aircooled (not what i was after but the right price), only problem being, the owner says after driving 50 miles or so and stopping it wont start until its cooled down. Is this the sign of something scary or just par for the cause with aircooleds?
Also (on my mpg high horse again) what sort of economy do you Aircooled high top owners tend to get, i was assuming 25+ but maybe im being optimistic! and can anything (not too expensive) be done to improve this?
Cheers

[very_bland]

When mine was working alright, I could do far more than 50 miles, stop for a petrol refill and it would be straight back into action, so I would say there is a problem there, sorry can't help with what problem though.

As far as mpg goes its covered loads on here but basically Aircooled you are going to get about 18-25 mpg. I don't know what difference the hi-top makes. Mine (panel van tin top with barely anything inside) gets 30mpg on a long motorway run at 60mph (well... it did )

Getting better mpg, depends what is expensive to you, LPG will get you, give or take, twice as many miles to the pound, initial cost is a bit less than a grand, and many claim to have made this back in a year or less, if you take that route then http://www.gasure.co.uk/sales.htm seems to be the place. Steve at Gasure is a really helpful bloke, I'll certainly be getting mine done there when I've got the sterling!

Larger wheel diameter and upgraded exhaust, carbs, rockers and ignition might improve mpg.
Someone'll be along to let you know bits I don't.

My advice is resist as best you can the pull of irrationality... I didn't and now I'm paying for it! But if it's cheap enough and the bodywork is good, go for it, and spend some money on getting it right (and have plenty left over to do so!)



Billy

[jamesc76]

Also (on my mpg high horse again) what sort of economy do you Aircooled high top owners tend to get, i was assuming 25+ but maybe im being optimistic! and can anything (not too expensive) be done to improve this?
Cheers

Your lucky to get that in a sweet running watercooled let alone a air cold one !

[hooja]

yep, im talking myself into it by lying to meself about running costs, there was a reason i was looking for a diesel!! It is a sweet straight van though, very good bodywork, seams ground out and treated, new cills, new bottom to sliding door and resprayed, very tidy interior £2.5k!! seams like good value to me but im worried that its the carbs causing the problem and a £500 bill straight away would screw me!

[very_bland]

yep, im talking myself into it by lying to meself about running costs, there was a reason i was looking for a diesel!! It is a sweet straight van though, very good bodywork, seams ground out and treated, new cills, new bottom to sliding door and resprayed, very tidy interior £2.5k!! seams like good value to me but im worried that its the carbs causing the problem and a £500 bill straight away would screw me!

Go for a ride in it, if the acceleration seems poor at the beginning of each gear then suddenly picks up, or it struggles to reach speeds of say, 50mph, there is possibly a problem with the fuel system (could also be electrics, or timing).... could be the filter (couple of quid) could be the carbs... if it still has the original Solex carbs, Steve at Gasure can refurb em for you http://www.gasure.co.uk/carbrefurb.htm For a LOT less than £500!

£2.5k seems like a good price if everything you say is true. And I don't think you are likely to find one in that price region without problems.

[hooja]

Cheers bland,
Off to drive it tonight, so will see, thanks for the tips on what to look for. Engine wiring was all replaced recently, but i have a good Aircooled speacialists near me so thinking of taking the gamble and seeing what they make of it.
Good news that gasure recon the carbs, was struggling to find anyone that would, although they are a long way from me, but could tie it in with a jaunt to wales.
Anyone know what sort of mileage these engines are capable of (i know its subjective and depends on how they have been looked after etc.) this one has done around 85k, on the origional lump.

[very_bland]

Tis a long way away yeah, tis for me too, but from what I have heard its well worth it.
As far as engine wear, the only real way of knowing is to do a compression test before you buy. As you say, it depends how its been treated. Apparently when new and shiney, the engine has 120 pounds on all 4 cylinders the 1st 15,000 will wear that down to about 100, and should stay around that mark for many thousands of miles. One weak cylinder (say 10 pounds different) suggests uneaven wear, burnt valve or badly installed rings. Below 100 and the engine is on its way out, if it is as low as 80 an overhaul is necissary.

[rugchucker]

Most common reason for non restart after a warm run is that the bush for the starter is worn and you get the silent treatment from the starter. The good news is that this item only costs pennies and is easy to replace if you read the wiki

I had this for a few years before the missus "Yvonne" got fed up with push starting the bus.

If that is the only fault snap it up.

I bought my '80 air-cooled for £400 nearly 9 years ago , admittedly with no interior, LHD, and a big hole in the floor. We are off to France tomorrow for a 16 night mystery tour.

I have a 12 hour night shift to do then after a few hours kip we are off. YEEE HAAAA

Des

[very_bland]

if the acceleration seems poor at the beginning of each gear then suddenly picks up

Off to drive it tonight

Just to note, if you are actually driving it yourself do not confuse this with "lugging" the engine... i.e changing gear too early. If you are used to modern vehicles, the revs do seem high... There are some red marks on the speedo, 3 of them at certain speeds, those are for gear change reference, if I remember rightly, they are at the higher end of the reves, so change a bit before them by 5mph, if it judders a bit change closer to the line next time.

And if you do buy it, for future reference do not lug the engine, it is as bad as over-reving, also use all the gears both up and down, don't block change.

[VWCamperfan]

This problem with starting, does the starter motor seem to turn over slowly when it's warm or at the same speed as when cold?
Also, if it turns ofer at the same speed, hot or cold, then try starting with your foot to the floor on the accellerator pedal. Keep it there, don't pump it, just keep it to the floor until it kicks into life.

[Rozzo]

unfortanately the crystal balls a bit foggy tonight. if it dunt turn at all its the switch wire spade one the starter thats green, furry and loose. if it turns real real slow its either the starter bush, the earth to gearbox connection furred up or a really wank starter or any combination of the above. either way its an easy fix.
if it whizzes over but dunt start its either a blocked air filter,, carb trouble, timing or a knackered engine.
and the weather tomorra will be rainy & sunny with overcast spells of frosty snow with ice and high winds interspersed with calm spells and fog