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Mr. Hanky Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2012 Posts: 7 Location: AK
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 12:04 pm Post subject: 1980 Vanagon Camper Issues in Alaska |
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I am new to the forum and hoping for some technical advice for my 1980 vanagon camper. So the issue is when I am driving down the highway the bus "stutters" when coasting. If I am accelerating it does not happen as much. The fuel filter is fairly new as is the fuel pump, fuel tank, plug wires and engine for that matter. Before I had the engine rebuilt it was doing the same thing. Its acting as though there is an interruption in the fuel supply. What am I missing? Is there any secondary filters? There is some sort of diaphragm that comes into the fuel line just before the pump. Is this or could anything effect the fuel supply? Also, the integrity of the filler neck for the fuel tank is questionable. This as you know is exposed to the elements in the right front wheel well.
Please help this is driving me crazy ! I am at the end of the road in Alaska and good knowledge of this rig is hard to come by! |
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reluctantartist Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2006 Posts: 1927 Location: Bloomington, IN
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Mr. Hanky Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2012 Posts: 7 Location: AK
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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reluctantartist, forgive my ignorance but I am not sure which switch you were referring too? |
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Randy in Maine Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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That will be a sender over by cylinder #3 with a 13mm head and black wire maybe 5-8" inches longthat goes to the engine wiring harness.
You want to make sure that the sender is well attached to the head, but don't reef on its delicate 10mm x 1.0 mm threads.
You will also want to make sure that the electrical connection it makes to the engine wiring harness is 100%. Use some needle nose pliers to remove the connection and clean it with sandpaper until it shines.
Been here?
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/TempSensorII.html |
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Mr. Hanky Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2012 Posts: 7 Location: AK
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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So I did what you suggested Randy and those things all look good. But have made no difference. Can a fill tube on the gas tank that is held together by JB weld and tape (ie probably not air tight) cause problems with the fuel system/mixture/pressue? I know the tube is compromised because I have seen rock pebbles underneath the gas cap. |
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Swellchaser Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2010 Posts: 92 Location: Vancouver
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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Possibly adjust your accelerator cable tightness at the throttle body. A few millimeters more could fix the problem if it has to do with fuel starvation.
Also check the points in your distributor and see if they have worn down. I had a kicking problem during acceleration and it was due to a Distributor rotor that had play in it |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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reluctantartist Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2006 Posts: 1927 Location: Bloomington, IN
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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There is a screen on the tank. If you have rocks and other junk in the tank that will be a problem. _________________ 1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them. |
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Mr. Hanky Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2012 Posts: 7 Location: AK
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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Soooo....I drained the the tank resealed all around the fuel filler neck, changed fuel filter, switched points and distributer cap to no avail. He wont idle and is backfiring. Any ideas? |
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stickycandies Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2011 Posts: 33 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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Timing? _________________ Life in the slow lane isn't so bad |
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Mr. Hanky Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2012 Posts: 7 Location: AK
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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Another symptom is that the fuel pump sounds like it is working intermittently even though it is brand new. |
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jordauto Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2011 Posts: 218 Location: Sorrento,BC
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Does your van have the plastic filter before the pump and a metal one after? If yes,did you replace both? If it has one before the pump it may be restricting the supply of fuel to the pump. If a filter is restricted or an intermitent pump issue you should have a hesitation and misfire under load,such as hills etc not just on coast down. The fact that your filler was leaking makes me think that water and dirt have gotten in the tank and contaminated it.There may be a pick up filter in the tank,did you check to see it it was clean? Did you re use the gas you drained ? It may have water in it. Many times poor idle is caused by a vacuum leak in the intake area,check the boot from the air flow meter to the intake very close and any vacuum hoses for deterioration. It might be time for a compression test and leak down test to confirm the engine is mechanically sound and you're not chasing your tail.BTW if you replaced points,did you use a dwell meter to set them? That is the most accurate.Double check all the plug wires are connected where they belong after doing the cap. Just some thoughts.Good luck. |
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Vansbeengone Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2012 Posts: 37 Location: Portland-ish
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 7:47 am Post subject: |
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switched points and distributer cap to no avail. He wont idle and is backfiring. Any ideas? |
Seriously! When you swap points the dwell needs to be re set and the distributor advance needs to be re timed to 30* BTDC @ 3500rpm...
If it's a 1980 it probably has svda distributor. check that both advances are working properly.
If you mess with the points re time the motor... |
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Mr. Hanky Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2012 Posts: 7 Location: AK
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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Discovered a hole in a vacuum hose replaced that, and noticed the wire going to the o2 sensor was down to 3 strands of wire and reconnected that. Started it up idled fine, drove down the road 100 miles to my favorite fishing hole and it ran fine for the must part. Slightly under powered and slightly hot smelling. |
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reluctantartist Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2006 Posts: 1927 Location: Bloomington, IN
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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That is good that is working, but i do not like your description of hot smelling and under powered (unless you mean under powered compared to other cars). You need to check your timing and maybe check that the O2 sender is working. It sounds like you have a California ignition if you have an O2 so no points for you. _________________ 1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them. |
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