hoernig
Getting There Member
Posts: 13
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Post by hoernig on Jul 19, 2011 22:22:25 GMT 1
Any idea what might be going on with the engine in my beetle?! It was running when we bought it, had never driven it though.. did some little bits, then took it to the MOT, it was running a bit lumpy and with some backfires but not too serious, managed to get there, On the way back it started getting horrible, it was starting to backfire more, and run on only 3 pots.. possibly only two It started misfiring and backfiring even more and we hardly made it home.. (We had to drive there was no other way to get it back) at this point it would hardly keep running.. so we turned it off.. had to start it up again to move it and it was very difficult to start.. Now, tried to start it today to see what was wrong and it's completely dead! No sign on firing at all.. Things we've checked.. It has sparks (new plugs and leads) Points are set correct Carb completely cleaned out (cleaned out every jet) and working fine Fuel pump working (We put fuel straight into the carb anyway just to test) So it has air, fuel and sparks.. but it just wont fire! So stumped Can anyone shed some light on the problem? Thanks! If it helps it's the 1600 engine with solex 34 pict 3 carb?
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Post by gvee on Jul 20, 2011 1:00:11 GMT 1
Is your battery okay? What about compression? Is your timing set correctly? Have you observed the spark?
Remove and clean each plug, then turnover the engine and withdraw the plugs again. Are they wet and/or carbonated at all?
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orvil
To much time on my hands
Darren/Ange
Posts: 524
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Post by orvil on Jul 20, 2011 14:36:11 GMT 1
Watched wheeler dealers the other day and they were doing a Beetle up!! They had a similar problem and it turned out to be the COIL breaking down when it got warm!!!! Worth a look?
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hoernig
Getting There Member
Posts: 13
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Post by hoernig on Jul 20, 2011 18:24:28 GMT 1
Is your battery okay? What about compression? Is your timing set correctly? Have you observed the spark? Remove and clean each plug, then turnover the engine and withdraw the plugs again. Are they wet and/or carbonated at all? Battery is good, we had charged it overnight with a trickle charger, Timing has not been set, (we though timing might have been causing the problems, thats why we tried to start) We have checked the spark and each plug was sparking nicely, plugs were slightly damp, (i think from it turning over but not firing.. so we took them out and dried them off, and cranked it over a few times while they were out... but still no luck once they were back in.. As i know it's getting fuel, sparks and air.. compression is the only thing that i'm not sure about.. but how could I go about checking that? Watched wheeler dealers the other day and they were doing a Beetle up!! They had a similar problem and it turned out to be the COIL breaking down when it got warm!!!! Worth a look? As far as I am away the coil seams to be pretty much brand new! The last owners put it on recently I think..
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kombiain
Almost Regulair Member
15 Windows
Posts: 22
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Post by kombiain on Jul 20, 2011 20:55:08 GMT 1
Backfiring like that suggests a timing problem to me.
Have you checked that the HT leads are on the dizzy in the correct order? If 1&2 or 3&4 are muddled up that can cause some serious backfiring and would explain it not running on all pots. I know it's unlikely but I speak from experience... I've done it!
Do you know how to set the timing without starting the engine? It can be done with a test light if you have a dizzy with points in it.
What type of carb and distributor combination are you using? Where abouts are you?
Iain
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hoernig
Getting There Member
Posts: 13
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Post by hoernig on Jul 20, 2011 22:45:28 GMT 1
Nope I don't know about setting timing without the engine running, Yeah double checked the leads and they are correct Carb is solex 34 pict 3? Not sure about distributor.. I'm from Harrogate I have a feeling it's headgasket, valves or hole in piston.. hence the running alright, slowly dieing, then not starting when everything else is working fine..
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Post by gvee on Jul 20, 2011 23:58:51 GMT 1
Static timing: www.aircooledtech.com/timing/static/As for compression - you'll need a compression tester. When you get one of these, pop all of the spark plugs out and pop the tester in to one of the plug holes, then turn the engine over and that will give you your value. Repeat for all 4 cylinders. Have you got movement in the rockers? Pop one of your rocker covers off and turn over the engine while someone watches for movement in the exposed rockers. Movement will be very obvious if there is any. Hope this helps and good luck mate!
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tintop
Senior Member
Posts: 232
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Post by tintop on Jul 27, 2011 20:57:56 GMT 1
Hi mate where are you based?
I have a compression tester, although doesn't should like a compression issue.
Have you checked/changed the dissy cap and rotar arm. It is either this or your coil.
I had this problem with my van a while ago and it turned out to be a combination of a loose electrical wire to the coil and number 3 HT lead not connecting properly with the spark plug head.
Although worth checking rocker /tappets with feeler gauges.
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tintop
Senior Member
Posts: 232
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Post by tintop on Aug 10, 2011 14:09:37 GMT 1
Just had a similar problem with my van last weekend, turned out to be a split air pipe, allowing excess air into carb. Also vacuum advance pipe had perished and was allowing air in.
Now fixed.
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