TheSamba.com :: View topic - runs... sputters... dies. wait and repeat.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:22 pm

Hi folks... i decided to start a new thread because my last was getting off the original topic.

here is my problem: my 78 westy (info in sig) runs for about 3 minutes great, then the idle drops and the carbs begin to pop and sputter and the engine rocks back and forth violently, then she dies. after she dies, i notice a hiss coming from what i assume is a vacuum line that comes off of the inner, forward, bottom of each carb, joins together, then the line runs to the left of the engine, through the tin below the firewall and forward. i recently did fuel filler work and fuel breather work and have retraced my steps a dozen times. i am convinced there are no wires, hoses, etc... that got knocked off during the work and i have since reverted all of my work back to how it was before the problem started. i have replaced the fuel filters and plugs. i checked the coil and the spark looks good... (i think). one thing i remember is, i swear i used to hear the electric fuel pump priming when i turned the key on... now i don't hear anything... i haven't trouble shot it yet because i didn't think the bus would run at all without it. anywho, any help would be very much appreciated.

please help me fix bonnie!!!!

thanks

Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:56 pm

pickngrinster wrote: raby camper special engine kit
Bump to the top after the edit. (a VDubTech rant)

Have you spoken with JR about this?

Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:13 pm

Sounds like fuel delivery to me... Lack of fuel volume or pressure more than likely. Clogged fuel tank outlet, clogged fuel filter/ etc.

This is the first I have heard of this, no posts on my support forums and I don't even know which of our purchasers this is. I am not familiar with the username.

Isolate the questionable vacuum line and then carry out the process of elimination.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:23 pm

Jake Raby wrote: This is the first I have heard of this, no posts on my support forums and I don't even know which of our purchasers this is. I am not familiar with the username..

He just bought the Bus from Ryan in Bisbee, AZ--username Solexes@hotmail.com.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:38 pm

that is your brake booster line. get the vacuum sorted out, then figureo ut if your fuel pump is getting power when the bus is running. you can check by putting your hadn on it while the motor is on, you aught be able to feel it run, or even hear it, if so likely a clogged filter, but I bet its off all together.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:38 pm

hi jake... we spoke on the phone briefly back in september when i was buying ryans bus. by the way; my deepest condolences.

thanks for all your help guys!! i think it is definitely the fuel pump as it is not making any noise while the bus is running.

thanks for the brake booster info fuserman... i will get that leak fixed tomorrow.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:21 pm

yay... my fuel pump is fixed. the hot lead to the pump had no power so i rewired the pump to the coil. went for a nice long drive... it was wonderful. i got home and went to restart the bus and now the battery is dead. now i get to go searching for shorts.... double yay!!!! thanks again for all your help guys!

Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:18 pm

pickngrinster wrote: yay... my fuel pump is fixed. the hot lead to the pump had no power so i rewired the pump to the coil. went for a nice long drive... it was wonderful. i got home and went to restart the bus and now the battery is dead. now i get to go searching for shorts.... double yay!!!! thanks again for all your help guys!

Gaaahhh. Have a heart for future mechanics who may work on your bus, avoid random re-wiring.

Take a look at the diagrams in this thread to see how the fuel pump is supposed to be wired, and try to find out what part of the circuit is not working.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=334340

Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:34 pm

great link!! thanks.