Sorry I'm not much of a mechanic so I'll try my best to explain the problem Bus is running terribly, splutters into life when I start up first thing, doesn't have any power, pop pop pop when we drive and have to put foot flat to the floor to get going , black soot in the exhaust and using Marmite loads of fuel It used to cruise at 60-65 Now we are lucky to get to 40-45 Bus is running a T4 2.0 litre engine with twin solex hope that helps
What's been done since the days that it would cruise at 65? Basic servicing, has it been stood long over winter etc,
Ok,check valve clearances,timing points etc. Dont screw around with those carbs,leave that as a last resort. I have the same motor. Have you got a workshop manual of some kind? You tube have some good vids on how to set valve timing.
Mine had a little miss every now and then after I bought it,i put in some treatment in the fuel to remove water and clean out the carbs and its stopped doing that.
could be something very simple like a spark plug or HT lead down, especially if it's really underpowered and sounding rough....only way to get to grips with it, is to go through the basics methodically....as Clive has mentioned, start by setting the valve clearances, check, clean and adjust the spark plugs (replace if knackered) check, clean and adjust points verify a spark at each plug by turning engine over with all plugs removed Check ignition timing (by the manual) all these minor things add up to one major crap running if, after the basics are up to spec, there's still an issue with starting/running, you need to come back and report the problem in more detail....most problems can be diagnosed correctly on here....
If you look on each carb you will see 2 round solenoids with a single wire coming off them,remove wire,unscrew and blow air into the hole.
AH!!!!!! check you have a elecrical current to the 2 electro magnetic chokes, if there is no current, they wont warm up, and you'll be running on full choke. Take off the air box, and remove the 'hatch' when cold. observe the choke flap position, then switch on the ign and wait to see it they open.
Yes,thats a good thing to check,also remove the wire off the solenoids and see if it clicks when putting it back on.
My advice for what it's worth is either get acquainted with the general service items or find a mechanic who knows these old vans. I had similar issues after putting the engine back in last year, did the plugs,points, timing also in the end I did fiddle with the carbs. I did find a small air leak on the brake servo vacuum pipe which helped also. My set up is the same as yours. Good luck, hope you get sorted.
