TheSamba.com :: View topic - 69 bus starts & runs for a few minuets at idle but then stalls

Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:51 am

Hi like the title says I start my bus 1600 motor, it runs for a minuet or two then just stalls out.

I should say it sits around and I usually start it and let it run just to keep it alive. I wish I had more time to take it out more often.

it will start right up, I am not much of a handyman when it comes to motor work although I did learn how to change my belt.

any ideas? I did a little search and was thinking about turning the screws on the carb? but wanted advice before i make matters worse.

when i start it up, if i press the gas it will keep running just fine. i can even hold the gas down and get it running strong without stalling, but when i let it idle it will eventually stall out after only a few minuets.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:27 am

I would first check the RPM at idle, start with the simple things first. Possibly starved for gas, also check the timing

Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:45 am

Well to start with running your bus for just a few minutes "just because" is very bad on it as it doesn't get the engine hot enough for long enough to evaporate the water and other contaminates out of the oil, your engine doesn't like water and acids in the oil as its life will be greatly shortened by the damage they do. If you don't intend to drive your bus then don't start it but just use a maintainer to keep the battery up. You also preferably want to keep only ethanol free gas in your tank as ethanol laced fuel ages badly, in lieu of that at least add Sta-bil to your gas tank.

At present there may be little that you need to do to your bus besides ONLY starting it to go on an hour drive every two months or so while not letting it warm up for more than a minute before taking off. You also might want to add Techron Concentrated Fuel Injection Cleaner to your tank before the next time you run your engine to try and dissolve the ethanol caused gunk that has likely been building up in your carburetor and tank.

You might want to raise your cold idle speed or otherwise adjusting your choke if stalling during warmup remains a problem. You should also check to see if your heat riser pipes are getting nice and hot as you need good heat to your carb at all times, but especially when it is cold out.

Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:31 am

Quote: any ideas? I did a little search and was thinking about turning the screws on the carb? but wanted advice before i make matters worse.

No, take the time to understand stuff before fooling with it.

The Muir VW book, not videos, is a great starting point.

Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:48 am

Pull the air cleaner and check your choke action. Also verify your electromagnetic cut off valve is tight.

Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:51 am

I was having a similar issue with my 1600 recently and found the ignition points needing to be replaced. Engine would run fine at idle for several minutes then shut off. Would continue running at higher rpm. Leaving the ignition switched on without the engine running will damage your points FYI.

Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:46 am

The cool thing about the carb screws is that you can always go back to where they are now. Do a full turn loose on each of the brass screws on the left. One small one large. This will allow more fuel (small screw) and more speed (big screw.)

If it works, great. If not, turn them back and continue learning.

Robbie

Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:29 am

1FineOLD69 wrote: Hi like the title says I start my bus 1600 motor, it runs for a minuet or two then just stalls out.

A carbureted engine that runs when cold only, then stalls or misbehaves when warm, is usually suffering a problem in the idle circuit.

If the problem just sprang up in an instant suggests that you look at the idle cut-off solenoid wire.

If the wire has juice, and the solenoid clicks when you test it, then suggests that you look for crap in the carburetor passages ...
Colin