TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat May 09, 2009 5:15 am

Hello List,

Since I bought my syncro last year I've had a tough time getting the feel for the clutch. No matter how slow I let out the clutch there is always a little bit of "jumping" right before the clutch is fully engaged.

I've been driving stick vw's since I started driving. For a while I thought that it was me... I took out my '74 for the first time this year a few weeks back and bam, no troubles driving stick. smooth starts all around. I've had this van for 10+ years and I know it like the back of my hand.

This past weekend I had my dad drive the syncro and he had the same problem. He is also a seasoned stick driver and he had a tough time figuring it out. I've had a lot more time to get it use to it and can get it close to smooth, but it is still pretty bad at times, and no matter how consistent I am with the clutch, in certain places ... its really choppy coming out of first. you gotta let it out real slow to minimize the choppiness

If I dump the clutch I can get a much smoother start... but trying to start out gracefully, it gets choppy. I'm starting to think that it is the engine being inconsistent in its power band because sometimes in 2nd or 3rd when I first shift into gear I get very little power, and then it surges and I get lots of instant thrust. this happens around 2800 rpm. this happens infrequently, but has been getting worse, and the starts have also been getting worse.

This is an '87 with a 2.1from a non-syncro. Engine seems to run pretty good, I've done a lot of work to get it running good:
1) cleaned all grounds to fix bucking
2.) new wires, plugs, cap, rotor, belts, oil, filter
3.) no drive shaft installed (2wd for now)
4.) I have my hall sensor zip tied to the dizzy, connector is broke
5.) the o2 sensor was disconnected when I got it, I have reconnected it.

Any ideas on where to start with this?

Sat May 09, 2009 5:55 am

Check the throttle positioning switch for proper operation.

Sat May 09, 2009 7:27 am

Check the clutch pedal pivot point. I had the same problem in my '87, and the pivot point had worn to become eccentric.
George

Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:32 pm

Did you ever get this figured out?
I have had similar issues before and was thinking it was the clutch. Maybe oil getting on the disc or something.

Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:43 pm

Check engine mounts?

Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:17 pm

this is what fixed it:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=386661&highlight=syncro+carrier

...and i drive it a lot more gentle... less like the trans am.

Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:19 am

Where do you get new pivot bushings?My clutch chatters when its cold( first 2 or 3 shifts).Also 2nd gear always clunks when its cold- tried 75w90 synthetic- no help. All shift linkage components are new.

Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:11 am

might be the flywheel needs to be resurfaced.