Club 80-90 Forums

I'm hoping someone can help shed some light on why my van continues to infuriate me and refuse to start!

It started a while back when the whole left bank seemed to shut down, I ended up dropping it out and sending it to Laurie Pettit as he came so highly recommended and we suspected a cracked head with possible rebuild needed.

Turns out it was a problem with the tappets and the exhaust valves had come out of their seats, he also said the exhaust silencer is causing too much back pressure and he re-jetted the carbs too. It arrived back last week and we started the install on Sunday, but have been at it every day since and i'm on the verge of setting fire to it!

My mate doing the work is an accredited mechanic although not a classic dub mechanic, hes been on the phone with Laurie several times but we just can't seem to crack it. Heres whats been done / checked:

Timing belt (set to TDC 8 and talked through by Laurie)
Spark plugs tested fine
Leads tested fine
New Dizzy cap & rotor arm
Position of dizzy correct
fuel is getting through, spark plugs are wet
Strong blue spark
Carbs fuel/air mixture checked
Tried towing and bump starting for a mile & half

It tries to turn over and it almost catches, but it just doesn't quite make it! We're going to do a compression test today and also try running an earthing cable from the negative battery terminal to an engine bolt, but if that doesn't do it we're well and truely stumped.

My mates been asking around his side and his senior says it sounds like one of the valves has come out of its seat, but that's exactly what Laurie is supposed to have fixed!

Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers!

Fluffenzepupple wrote: and he re-jetted the carbs too.

Perhaps it may help if we knew what sort of engine we're talking about here ? From the above am I correct in assuming it's an aircold ? By the way there is no 'timing belt' on a flat 4 VW engine.

New petrol in it ?

Ian.

WHS ^^^^^^^^^^^^

If your mechanic friend is using the belt that drives the cooling fan to time the engine up, then maybe there's been a bit of a mis-understanding and dizzie isn't in the right position. If you've got a spark and fresh petrol and the timing is right the engine will fire even if it won't run. My money is on the timing not being right. Try starting the engine with the dizzie nipped up just enough that you can still turn it. With the engine spinning over slowly turn the dizzie and see if you can get it to fire up.

Thanks for the replies chaps, apologies I always forget to say what engine it is in my posts!

It's a 2.0 CU Aircooled, and have to admit I wrote down the list as my boyfriend dictated it so I'll take your word for it about no timing belt hehe, shows how clueless I am!

They've been back at it today and we've had success at last! You were right the timing was slightly off but also the earth had given out so after fiddling with the timing and running a new earth cable she finally fired up hooray! She sounds beautiful too, I'm so relieved!

Thanks again, see you on the road (at last)

Fluffenzepupple wrote:Thanks for the replies chaps, apologies I always forget to say what engine it is in my posts!

So why not add it to your signature so's it's at the bottom of every post you make ... e.g.

1981 2.0 CU Aircooled, 5 speed manual.

Ian Hulley wrote:

Fluffenzepupple wrote:Thanks for the replies chaps, apologies I always forget to say what engine it is in my posts!

So why not add it to your signature so's it's at the bottom of every post you make ... e.g.

1981 2.0 CU Aircooled, 5 speed manual.

Fair point, i'd been wondering what to put on my signature so that'll do!

4 speed manual, unless you're counting reverse

glad you got your problem sorted. if you took/sent it to Laurie the problem won't be with his work

delinkwent wrote: if you took/sent it to Laurie the problem won't be with his work

Oooh look, a happy customer