Replacing coil 1970 westy

BKBus · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:06 am Post subject: Replacing coil 1970 westy

I've replaced the coil on my 70' Westy bc I was having starting issues. It would take a minute for the bus to turn over, but once it started it ran great. I thought maybe it was the coil since it was old so I replaced it with a Bosch coil I purchased from Bus Depot. Once I replaced it, it still had the starting issue and once I got it started it would only run if I had my foot pushing the gas pedal. Once I let my foot off the pedal the engine would stop. I switched back to the old coil and now I have the same problem, once I let off gas, the engine stops. I have no idea what is causing this. I thought my battery was dying but it keeps starting so I'm lost now... Please help =)
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Manfreds78bay · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:10 am Post subject:

Does this happen during cold starts or every time you start the bus?

How long has it been hard to start?
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1978 2.0L FI Campmobile

1982 AMC Eagle SX4 4.2L FI

BKBus · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:24 am Post subject:

It's been hard to start every since I bought it last year January. Originally I had a distributor issue (it was loose and would stop running in idle) but I since have fixed that. After I drive it for awhile, it's hard to restart for the first 15 minutes. Example, I drive for like an hour, stop to refuel, try to start the engine, and it just cranks but won't start until it cools down a bit.

Now since i replaced the coil it won't stay started once i lift my foot off the pedal...
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Manfreds78bay · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:34 am Post subject:

There might be a couple of problems here not just one.

1. Hard starting when engine is hot, could be a starter switch, starter barrel, starter wiring, or bad transmission ground cable.

2. Pressing the gas pedal to keep it running sounds like an idle issue. I'm not sure how replacing the coil would change anything your idle setting though. But I doubt you hare having ignition problems since it runs fine once started.

Have you tried putting the old coil back and see if it holds idle?

When is the last time you did a complete tune up?
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1978 2.0L FI Campmobile

1982 AMC Eagle SX4 4.2L FI

Randy in Maine · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:42 am Post subject:

You should be doing some routine maintence every 3,000 miles on this beast....

oil change,
valve adjustment,
checking the points with you dwell meter,
check the timing if you had to adjust the points,
and giving it some nice sweet lubrication with the front end jacked up.

Every 6,000 miles you should also be adjusting the brakes and changing the oil in the oil bath air cleaner.

Once you get good at adjusting those front brakes with the 4 wheel cylinders, you can do it in about 5-10 minutes. Same with the rear. Most of that time is just getting the jack under it.

busdaddy · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:18 pm Post subject:

Any leftover black wires when the job was finished?
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Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338

BKBus · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 6:01 am Post subject:

Hey all, thanks for your replies.

1. Yes I have put on the old coil and am still getting the same issue.
2. I do get it serviced every 300 miles, or I service it myself
3. There were no black wires left over after the job was done... Laughing

4. I'm thinking it could be a bad idle as well or weak ignition system.

I'm unfamiliar with both the idle and ignition so I may run it to the local bug guy around here to see what he can do.
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aeromech · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:30 am Post subject:

Sounds to me like an inop idle cutoff solenoid.

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kreemoweet · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:04 pm Post subject:

Aside from any ignition/starting problems, a misadjusted choke will give the same symptom of having to hold
the throttle open for it to idle. An inop idle cutoff would cause the engine to die everytime you lifted you foot off
the accel pedal, not just when starting.
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aeromech · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:09 pm Post subject:

I've seen a shorted choke element rob juice from the coil. You might try pulling the wire off the choke and see if it starts better.
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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
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BKBus · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:34 pm Post subject:

Update:

I'm not very good with carburetors so I ended up taking my Westy to the local VW Mech. He also believes its a misadjusted choke, but who knows. Anyway I had a couple other things I want him to look at, so hopefully it works out.
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Lovin our '70 Westy!

BKBus · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 6:48 am Post subject:

Another Update:

So after taking it to the local mechanic I'm $858.00 into repairs or replacements. sigh... and the carb still hasn't been fixed. I needed a starter, had a pretty big fuel leak??

Anyway there was some other stuff that needed fixing and I had the guy go ahead and do my oil and valves while he was at it.

But now my wife and I are considering selling the bus. Where would I go to find out the value of my bus?
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Lovin our '70 Westy!

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338


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