Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All.
I came accross your club whilst searching the web regarding a problem i have with my T25 and i must say its by far the best one i come accross so i registered, hopefully to get help with a problem I have but also looking for somewhere to come regulary to share my new passion.

My Dad bought a 1987 VW T25 Autosleeper 1.9 petrol with a pierburg carb soon after retiring. He loved it, it was his pride and joy, he used it regulary for short journeys but sadly only ever got to stay out in it once before he passed away. That was a 18 months ago, since then it has become my pride and joy, me the missis and the kids spent some good times in it last year.

I parked it up over the winter and regulary started it up, in early spring i started it up and it stalled, I think id gassed it up, then trying to get it going the starter motor packed it so i replaced it, It then started fine but run very rough. I had my local garage MOT it and take a look at the running problems. It sailed through the MOT, the fuel pump packed in whilst he had it so a new one was put on, the mixture screw didnt have any effect and he recomended I have the carb overhauled.
I had taken it out a few times but it kept backfiring and cutting out on hills and was running quite rich. I stripped the carb, gave it a good clean out and fitted a new gasket set. it does now run better but not perfect. The mixture screw does now work though.
Ive noticed though a knocking noise coming from one of the cylinders but this noise stops when the relevant plug lead is removed. Ive swapped the plug and lead over but with no difference. The noise only stops when the lead isnt connected to the plug can anyone help me to try and identify this problem? is it something that anyone has experienced before?

Im eager to solve this problem so i can start going away it it as often as possible and get the use out of it that my Dad never did, Hopefully someone can help me with this.

Thanks for reading

Just read my initial post....needed to E D I T it!...

have you made sure the plug leads are on right?


There have been proven stories of people driving these engines (beetles/bays too) with the ignition timing 180* out - firing order is 1-4-3-2 see this link for nice pics... http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/smf ... pic=3432.0

Can you describe the knocking sound -is it deep/tinny/rhythmical and in time to the engine or intermittent also does it do this when the engine is cold?


If your able to do it try taking a short video and putting in on youtube then linking it to your thread


Lastly - welcome to the club and let us know whereabouts you are... chances are there could be a fellow 8090'er in the area

Hi Dugcati
Thanks for your welcome and help.

Ive checked all the plug leads and they are all a tight fit.
Im not tecnicaly minded enough to know about firing order etc. I havent touch the leads distrubutor and plugs before the knocking noise started.
I have uploaded to videos onto youtube, this one is of the knocking noise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nU0rbSr2Ms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and this one is without the plug lead connected http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL_Vbmxhjs8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The noise is noticable on tick over but goes when accelerated, it happens weather cold or warm.
Im in sheffield so if anyone knows of anyone who is a dab hand on these then if anyone could let me know, its greatly appreciated

Welcome fella, Ive time for folk that post as requested so bliddy quick
shouldnt worry about it, mindst im part deaf,but sounds more like the odd tappet and maybe one or other or more exhaust gaskets leaking a bit,
see what others make of it
mike

What a great intro. .. Thanks
Has the engine been serviced recently?
If thes engines are not used regularly they get noisy due to the hydraulic tappets leaking down.
A good 20 mile run will quiet them down. As the oil will be pumped back into them.
Short runs make it worse.
Oil filter air filter and a good 15w/40 mineral oil or a 20w/50 mineral oil will improve the noise even more.
The mixture must be set with a gas anilyser.
Timing must be set with a light.

Welcome to the forum

Hi Guys

Thanks very much for your warm welcome and the assistance

Sorry for not replying sooner (been working away)

Looking back it had a service just before i got it but it looks like the garage used the wrong grade oil, they used 10w/40. Ive put some STP oil additive in to thicken it up a little bit and rekon ill do an oil change soon. Ive got some 20w/50 in stock so will probably use that.
Any sugggestions on a carb replacement? ive heard the pierburg i have fitted arent the best.

think im going to give a good run tomorrow, its long overdue

sounds like a sticky lifter to my ears for what its worth, 15-40 oil mineral oil and filter change needed. you might want to try some engine flush for 15mins before you drain (different opinions exist on this) . if it works cheap fix if its your pride and joy return the favour and buy the right oil. Pierburgs arent great but if you have a stock exhaust then you are best sticking stock, upgrading one component on its own wont help the over all engine performance.

As hacksawbob says, I would stick with the pierberg + have it cleaned and re set if necessary.
and welcome to the club.

Hi, Thanks.
I will stick to the Pierburg and look at getting it overhauled.
Noticed a popping sound aswell the other day, this has gradually got worse, then i noticed a bit of soot where the exhaust manifold goes to the head, went to check the bolts and they were both loose and just pulled out. The threads are stripped.
Can anyone recommend anyone in the Sheffield area to take it too?

Thanks