Day 1 of my open university course in VW Campervan Maintenance

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by darron smith, Aug 28, 2020.

  1. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    You'd still have to set the timing.
    You can set the points gap with a Rizla packet and the timing with a 12v bulb.
     
  2. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    Just checked, Rizla packet card has got thinner. 0.22mm, :mad:
     
    Lazy Andy, Lasty, PanZer and 3 others like this.
  3. Points have closed up I suspect, that means it’ll cough stall under load : light trailing throttle. In your toolkit get a clip in the HT lead spark checker.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131807893687

    let us know if it’s got fire in the hole.
     



  4. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. Dear Forum

    In the event that my Van does not get started with the AA tomorrow, This module was beyond me!

    I have found another mechanic who suggested electronic ignition and changing the dual solex carbs for something else.

    What is the forums view of these modernisation.?

    Will the van be more reliable and drive up hills quicker?

    Will the van be devalued by the modernisations?

    Your thoughts are welcome Darron
     
  6. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    Can’t remember what engine you have?

    Electronic ignition is fine, but so is the points / condenser combination.
    A cheap timing gun would be an investment for you- it’s not hard to set timing, it’s really not.

    What carbs does your new chap think might be better than the solex’s? Weber twins? A pair of Dells? Or just going back to a single? Unless you’ve got a stock 1600cc type 1 I’m sure most people here wouldn’t recommend the single carb option: but someone way more knowledgable than me will be along shortly!

    As for devaluing the van by changing the carbs and ignition? No! You’ll be fine.
     
    PanZer likes this.
  7. New carbs are going to want a session on the rolling road.
    I’d suggest sorting one thing at a time
     
    Coda and Lazy Andy like this.
  8. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    You mentioned getting your distributor refurbished, these guys do a superb job:

    https://www.h-h-ignitionsolutions.co.uk/

    I had mine refurbished in 2015 and its still as reliable now as it was then, £185 inc electronic ignition module and courier back home.
     
    darron smith and scrooge95 like this.
  9. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    Don’t replace your carbs. There’s likely nothing wrong.

    Check your points. Check to see if distributor is loose - can you turn it?

    Take off your dizzy cap and take a photo. Upload it so we can all see.

    Take a photo of the general engine area so we can all comment....

    Your dizzy is likely to be ok. May or may not need a refurb.
     
    Dr a and darron smith like this.
  10. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    Also. If you can do a video off your van trying to start that might help. Upload it to YouTube and then put a link up on here
     
    Dr a likes this.
  11. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    Who knows? There are any mechanics who don't understand the dual solexs, mechanics who do and see they are knackered, mechanics who don't want to waste your money messing with worn carbs, mechanics who will happily do that then tell you to get new carbs...

    Set up and not worn out the dual solexs are excellent carbs.

    If they are knackered and you have time, having them professionally refurbished is arguably the best way forward.
     
    Lasty, darron smith and snotty like this.
  12. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Try and post a video on youTube and link it here, of your engine not starting.

    Unclip the distributor cap, take pictures of what you see inside - especially of the metal braid that is over near the vacuum advance 'capsule'.
    If they connected 12 volts to the contact breaker points, the points could be welded together or the braid has fused or both.


    I would not yet replace anything that is not proven broken.

    Especially only the say-so of somebody whose main interest may be "we saw you coming" and milking you for money.

    After all, the original fault was a worn out clutch, not an ignition failure.
     
    darron smith and Coda like this.
  13. Ok Forum

    AA started the van " points were not opening and closing" The metal shaft that connects the rotor arm is worn. So taken it to a recommended garage " like taking the family dog to the pound" how the garage is recommended ids beyond me, I just hope looks don't count! The van drove well to the garage but I don't have peace of mind. So asked the mechanic to look at the distributor and points . He wanted to put electronic points in, saves the "adjusting"> I asked to replace worn parts and keep for me just in case I need to repair or just to see what they look like. I will await events , may start drinking.

    Darron
     
    Lasty, art b, vw newbie and 1 other person like this.
  14. Ok, that’s fairly cheap and worthwhile modification. Once they are in no more timing adjustments.

    Let us know how she’s running when she comes back.
     
  15. Hard to see how a distributor shaft can be so worn, it won't operate a set of contact breakers...
     
    Zed likes this.
  16. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    I had one in my collection of Bosch failures bought cheaply for parts. it had a groove cut by the points cam follower, so did not open the points properly.
     
  17. Agreed, but given your man doesn’t s know how to manage his points removing them is no bad thing.

    let’s hear whether he’s up and running again
     
  18. Lazy Andy

    Lazy Andy Supporter

    I swapped points for Pertronix - quite a simple job, but to do it you'd need to know how to set the points in the first place. @darron smith are you planning on doing fututre maintenance on this van?
     
    Zed likes this.
  19. Hi Andy , for sure , as much as I can, but I will need to start on the simple tasks , gain some confidence and then learn as much as possible. I don't plan to sell the van, I raraely part with anything , tendency to hoarding.

    Darron
     
    docjohn likes this.
  20. Hi forum

    The van has arrived back , and it runs with electronic ignition. It does not run any faster but it runs.

    While the van was waiting to go in, I wired a new radio, using the wires that originally connected to the old radio. The radio works! But the right back indicator does not flash, but the back middle red light flashed when I indicate right! Did I do this ? Or was this fault going to happen anyway?

    Darron
     

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