TheSamba.com :: View topic - Professionally rebuilt engine, 1 week old, chugg

Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:17 am

So for 7 days I was enjoying my new engine and being careful in trying to break it in as instructed and on the way home (going about 20 mph) I heard a slight sound of something snapping and then the engine began to sound unbalanced. There is no tapping noise, no slapping noise, no pinging noise just a sort of weird chugging sound deep in bass that grows louder as the RPMs increase. I cannot locate on which side it might be coming from. Maybe the left side as you face the engine but I really can't tell.

At idle, the engine runs smoothly though it sounds like a low pitched Woo Woo Woo. I removed each spark plug wire and the noise did not change or go away. I have parked the Bus on the street (I do not have a garage). I have left a message with the engine builder but can't figure out what this noise could be.

I have dual 36 Webers, counter balanced crank, and an external oil cooler and everything is brand new.

Any ideas?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:19 am

Is it a type 1 engine? Maybe the fan hitting the fan shroud?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:35 am

Did your engine man do the entire engine? Or, did you take it out and have him do the long block and then you re-assembled everything and put it back in yourself? If the guy that did your engine rebuilt everything from removal to installation, then take it back to him and have him make it right.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:03 am

What Jody said^^

A few things to try yourself would be remove the fan belt and run it for no more than a minute, sound still there?
How about with a rag held over the tailpipe?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:12 am

didn't blow out a spark plug did you? that makes sort of a deep chugging sound?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:33 am

was there a loss of power associated with this?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:39 am

The spark plugs all felt tight. The fan belt I can't remove now but the mechanic is going to look at it today he says. I can't tell if there was a loss of power because I was scared to rev the engine up too high. I don't think there's an issue with the crank or pistons. Maybe it's the fan. Let's hope. I should know more tonight I'll let you know. Thanks.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:38 am

Distributor on tight? Maybe someone forgot to tighten it... See if you can rotate it with your hands.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:51 am

do you have a timing light to test the wires are all getting spark?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:07 am

Interesting that you would place italics around professionally. Who is the builder? Have you searched the Buyer/Seller feedback, or, can you provide us with the shop in question?

Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:08 am

Distributor is on tight. The spark plug theory sounded good but they feel nice and tight on there. I pulled off each spark plug wire at the distributor and saw a spark arching from the plug to the distributor so I think all the wires are getting juice. I hope to have a theory later today. Haven't been able to remove the fan belt as when my other car was stolen so were myCraftsman tools! Dirty bastards.

I am at a loss.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:57 am

Jody '71 wrote: Interesting that you would place italics around professionally. Who is the builder? Have you searched the Buyer/Seller feedback, or, can you provide us with the shop in question?

Who is the Bay Area builder? Curious minds want to know.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:10 pm

search and you will see :wink:

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:12 pm

Ken at Jansen Enterprises in Belmont, CA
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4394335

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:15 pm

he did mine also

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:15 pm

^^c'mon don't throw the guy under the bus just yet.^^

dude probably has something in his fan or a similar minor situation.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:19 pm

Sounds kinda like a main bearing spun... You can stick a long screw driver to your ear like a stethoscope (or use a stethoscope) and locate the source..

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:20 pm

nah Ken's the go to guy for those in the know in this part of town.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:27 pm

borninabus wrote: ^^c'mon don't throw the guy under the bus just yet.^^

dude probably has something in his fan or a similar minor situation.

Probably. But someone asked who was the builder and its not like its a secret. This could be good publicity for this shop when they go over the top to help this guy out. Why do you have to assume that it is going to be bad?

Sounds like this is a reputable shop who will make it right.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:29 pm

Did you check the valve gap? How many mi since you did last?