Just dropped the engine an inch so we just had enough room to squeeze the fire wall out then reached over engine to do the pipes. I think it was a lot less work than taking the engine out altogether.
would i be able to smell petrol if the oil has petrol in it? i have checked me dippy stick and i think it smells. will drop the oil tonight and have a look could this be fuel pump failure letting past? Its a type 4 engine 1800 standard carbs mech fuel pump. ta!
If petrols mixed with the oil it should be pretty obvious by the consistency(ie runny!), the smell and the amount that comes out. Could be fuel pump or probably more likely a stuck or worn float valve in one of the carbs letting fuel piddle through. If there is fuel in the oil DON'T attempt to start the engine without taking out the spark plugs and turning over the motor as it's highly possible one of the cylinders could be full of fuel. Turning it over can lead to a situation known as hydraulic lock whereby the full cylinder can't compress the liquid fuel inside and in worst cases can lead to bent con rods or broken crank.
OK so had a look fuel in oil... think i caught it at the right time. drained it just got to buy new filter, causes? fuel pump? looks to have some oil around this like its been leaking / weeping? or carbs its been running luvly and not really sure what to look for ? is it sticky float needle valve? thanks!
If you can smell petrol on the dip stick the carbs are over filling , take the top/tops off and check the floats, plenty of YouTube help if you're not sure how
Fantastic, it ain't often that peeps catch things in time. All too often people just keep putting it off and saying it's an old VW and they all stink of fuel and then the inevitable. I've got next to no experience with type 4 motors but I'll give you the most likely causes on a type 1 and they are more than likely similar . Oh , did you notice the oil level not dropping or even increasing unexpectedly over a while? Saying that because very few faults or issues like this happen instantaneously and they usually appear gradually. Also have you noticed the occasional loss of fuel perhaps? If it is going silly at any point, it might be an idea to whip of a fuel pipe and block it with something, I always use an old chamfered drift. I'm reluctant to use a fuel pipe clamp or a pair of mole grips even, because of fuel pipe issues over the last few years, just don't want to damage the rubber. Not sure what carb /s you have, but I'd have a look at the needle/s and seat/s and if you're in there I'd maybe replace the floats too, and take a little time with float levels . I'd bin a lot of stuff but I'd keep these floats as spares for an emergency, usually they're obvious if they got a leak in them but not always, it can be temp related, but the sink em in water and look for bubbles is the easiest, then listen and shake em. Fuel pumps on type 1 motors have an issue with poor rubber quality like everything else on our busses. So they can leak internally on the pump, not sure if that applies to type 4. Some fuel pumps as in the original type, you could open up and have a look at the diaphragm rubber, most new ones are sealed. I wonder if you could take the pipes off the pump and seal one of them then hook up an airline to the other on lowish pressure then listen to any air coming out the dippy stick, then try swapping the pipes then listen. Might try that next time we get an iffy pump. I'd work with the pump first maybe whip it off and have a sneaky peak up his back side. Ozziedog,,,,,,,,, don't forget to change your oil, it's now officially toast EDIT,,,, Oil around the fuel pump is totally unrelated, that's just oil getting out externally and nuffink to do with fuel getting in internally. If it was connected, the fuel would clean up the oil mess, so perfect as in self leaking but self cleaning
Just thought, you'd maybe not need an airline to test the pump diaphragm rubber. I haven't tried this but it is worth a go I think. Pull both pipes off your fuel pump, get a new piece of pipe of any description and pop it on there. Then put your finger over the other, and see if you can blow through and detect a leak, then put the pipe on the other side . Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, might just work
You don`t have to get a piece of hose if you think you won`t catch rabies and if you can adopt the required position Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, All just sounds a little bit wrong
Ordered new oil filter etc. Any tips on what to look for on carbs? Watched loads of u tube vids but nothing clear Standard type4 1800 solex carbs. Can I just take the top off and give it s clean Test if float floats ? And float valve works? Or is it a rebuild job? I have only got 4 nights to sort this as at work then hopefully camping( if I fix it) lol . Thanks
Does it start easy from cold off the key and on all 4 cylinders. When its warm, turn it off, wait 10 seconds. then will it re start easily. If it restarts easy after its warm then fuel isn't leaking into the engine through the carb throats. If it struggles to start and is putting out black smoke then its flooding . Or the choke's are too far adjusted and closing off the air. Probably not the choke as you can smell fuel. A leaking fuel pump diaphragm will leak fuel into the sump. The fuel level will rise , the oil will thin and if not fixed you can end up with more fuel than oil. Then the engine heat will evaporate the fuel . If not caught soon enough it will damage the whole engine.
Also you say you can smell petrol through the air vents when driving, I take it these vents are the dash vents or the vents on the floor in the back of the van. If you can smell raw, the same smell like if you put your nose to an open petrol can then you definitely have a fuel leak. Is the smell always present in your van. Petrol tanks can leak at the middle seam on the tank (Over half full).
Yes. The fuel pump diaphragm's fail just the same as type 1's do and fill the sump with petrol. Is your oil level high and does it smell of petrol.
Lol not any more drained the oil. Will check this first just so happen to have a spare pump. Need some oil and a filter and I'll give it a go. Thanks.
