Sudden Power loss

[hercdriver]

Great to hear you're back on the road!

You've been going through the "to do" list of a good tune up. You've done the timing (spark), valves, and now you have to focus on the gas.

The gas part is the carburetor. A poorly tuned carburetor would fowl spark plugs and give you poor gas mileage. The fuel leak is a concern as well (think engine fire).

Start with replacing your fuel lines. Old lines can crack. Once they crack, the engine fire will ruin your bug.



Next, replace the gasket that is leaking. You may need to rebuild the carb or just adjust it. That will depend on what condition it's in. Search youtube for a how to video, there is a lot of good tutorials on how to tune your bug.

For poor fuel consumption, look at
-float leaking
-float needle valve not closing
-automatic choke not working properly

On a final note, make sure you have the original Solex 30 PICT-1 or -2. You can run different carbs, but if you have the stock carb, it'll make trouble shooting easier.

[KKV270]

Thanks Hercdriver.

I must say, pictures tell 1000 words- that VW pic got my attention on the matter.

Will be about the matter tomorrow morning. Will feed you back on the results. Thanks.

[KKV270]

A question,

with fowled plugs, do I have to remove them and clean them up to enhance efficiency?

[hercdriver]

with fowled plugs, do I have to remove them and clean them up to enhance efficiency?

Yes. Once they are fowled, you'll need to clean them.

[KKV270]

Hi.

Thanks for that clarification.
Have just gone through some video on the caburetor adjustment. I'm glad for the lessons. Having learnt that the air and compression affect fuel-air mixture, just before I unmount the cab, I also mentioned of a funny exhaust sound that seems to say a whole/opening somewhere. Could that be an additional problem?

I noticed when the car would turn off, plenty of fuel would splash out of the cab jet!!!

I also went through your notes on the manifold in relation to cab ice....I am now starting to see the relation between the exhaust and carb in the engine.

I am somewhere in limbo! I don't mind getting the cab out for 'service sake.'

[KKV270]

Hi.
Good. I successfully fixed the carb and thus the fuel leak. One of the screws that holds the diaphragm cover in place was a wrong screw...and wasn't holding. By the way Hercdriver, mine is a PICT 28 2.
The engine gas its power back and running well. Glad to have gone through the experience. I've learnt a whole lot....and thanks to you.
Cheers. Please check my next posted question.

[hercdriver]

Glad to help. You are the best mechanic for your car. The more you work on it, the easier it'll be to keep it in top running order.

Keep it clean (the mechanical business of the car) and pay attention to how it's performing.

-By keeping it clean, you'll notice any new leaks (fuel, oil, brake fluid).
-By paying attention to how the car is driving, you'll catch problems early (timing, valve adjustments, fuel issues).

I'd also recommend buying a good manual for the car. I like the Bentley manual (it's where I find most of my information).

http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Beetle ... ley+manual

Cheers,
Herc

[KKV270]

Hey,

Thanks for the encouragement towards being my own mechanic.

I was able to get a manual on the VW engines... VOLKSWAGEN A Practical Guide Covering All Models By Raymond Broad. There is much more confidence plus the much I get from this forum (thanks to you a lot)

I am now with a new task. My exhaust seems to be leaking from the joint at the engine on one side (where it is bolted close to the rocker box) I bet it isn't that much serious and will probably bring the whole thing down.

I think the best thing is as you say, keeping it clean. For a car that had been lying idle (and exposed to all harsh weather here in Kenya) I guess I should brace myself for just about anything as they keep coming.

Cheers.

[KKV270]

Here's a picture of the manifold and heat risers to help.

The carb sits on the top hole. The manifold is the larger tube on top and to the rear (of this picture) that travels to the cylinders. The risers are the smaller tubes that travel down to the exhaust system.

Hercdriver....you once sent me the above. For one to have gone this far, I believe you would be able to undo the whole exhaust system. Kindly aid me in the process. I may need to undo mine as there are worn-out bolts that hold the exhaust at the joint close to the rocker box.

While at it, I am considering undoing the manifolds and inspecting for any carbon as I realized I've been running rich.

Kindly advice.

[hercdriver]

It sounds like you've got two issues.

1. A rich mixture.

and

2. An exhaust leak.

I would focus on one thing at a time. It's very easy to get distracted and try take on too much at one time. (I did this myself, with my first Beetle. I wanted a perfectly restored car, so I started taking everything apart. It wasn't long before I had a pile of parts and a dwindling interest in the headache of putting it all back together.)

If I were you, I'd figure out why you're running rich first. ( a plugged up manifold would cause the car to lose power/ stall - It doesn't sound like this is what is happening) Have you adjusted the carburetor? If so please explain what steps you took.

The second issue is going to be more work. Are you sure that the stud pulled out of the head? If so, you'll need to tap a new stud into the head.

Pictures are helpful.

[KKV270]

Hi Hercdrive.

Thanks for the feedback. The two issues you have stated are right. However, on addressing the first one- running rich, I suspected it was as a result of the leaking carburetter that I just fixed.

I adjusted it as follows;

1. Having reset the carb, I screwed the idler screw to give a fairly fast speed to a time the engine was warm.
2. I then unscrewed it to give the lowest tickover.
3. I adjusted the air-volume screw in (which did make several turns in) to a time the engine run with a "hunt". From there, I unscrewed slightly to a point, I believe, allowed for sufficient air.

I havent tested the efficiency since as I had wanted to get to the exhaust leak before driving out.

I fortunately got a youtube video of a guy who fixed his leat at the same point (with a similar problem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bttNi6OEhG8)

The reason I thought of cleaning the manifold was, should I have had to undo parts and probably have had that as one to come out, I waould have taken advantage of cleaning all possible clogs.

As for now, I will try fix the exhaust leak and then test the carb efficiency hoping the rich running would be solved by the carb fix.

Thanks.

[KKV270]

Hii Hercdriver.

Thanks to all for your feedback. Good news. I replaced the exhaust gasket and fit in two new bolts. Only one tightens while the other keeps on screwing. I put come gun gum to seal the the place as well.

Was so excited, after an hour or saw, cranked the enginen and it sounded off the "beetles whistle"

Glad to be back.

only one more thing to get clarification about....the carb tuning I did.... any further recommendations?

I guess I'm now good to take the beetle out for a test run. What are good pointers that the carb is well adjusted?

By the way, pardon me.... was unable to add photos to the earlier posts. Will try use photos where best to to give most information.

[Blue Baron]

Your explanation of carb adjustment was spot on.

I would also recommend you find an old copy of John Muir's "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive." In addition to the step-by-step procedures, you'll also get a good dose of 1960s American hippy vernacular!

[KKV270]

Hi Blue Baron.

Thanks for the verification on carb tunig and book recommendation too.

I'll be back soon on feedback on the performance of my beetle.
Regards.

[KKV270]

Hi all!

Glad to say I can now close this topic. We're running strong up all hills. Thank you all for being a part of the success story.

Cheers.