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Jason0115 Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2021 Posts: 97 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:32 am Post subject: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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I might be able to get my hands on a 1975 westy, the owner drove it to his house then it sat for 10 years and hasn't been started since. I'm not good with engines or general mechanics but I want to learn. What should I be doing to get this engine started and what other parts of the bus should I check/replace before I get it on the road. All of the busses paperwork including service logs and title has burnt up in a house fire so I don't have much of a working history of the bus. I'll check if there is any but I dont think so. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Edit: Thanks for the help so far. I'll attach the pictures I have right now, and I'll add more here when I get to it again. Here's a link to photos of the underside and the engine:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1m9xnpc0n_SKLp0Cxd-1PJSqaYzvFst1e?usp=sharing
I'm trying to price out the repair work too, mainly body and mechanical as the interior is good enough for me.[/img]
Last edited by Jason0115 on Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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mikewire Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2010 Posts: 805 Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Having gone through similar experience multiple times, there's lots to do before even connecting a battery. If you're not good with mechanics I would get someone who is, revivals are not always for the curious novice.
Full fuel system refresh - I would pull the motor and get the tank out, flush it and replace any and all rubber lines and hoses. New filter, pump and everything there, then work your way into the ignition system, inspect the tins etc. etc.
That's just a start...but before even jumping into all that work above, what was the condition that made the PO park it? You'll want to make sure you have a good T4 engine that can be revived.
Not trying to discourage you, but being realistic and calling out the fact it may be too much to take on without understanding the full scope of work. _________________ -Mike
@countdowngarage
@bigskyeuro
1972 VW Kombi 9 Passenger Deluxe w/ 2.0L F.I. VWAC swap
1965 VW Beetle Deluxe Bahama Blue |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51117 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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After 10 years the gas will have turned to goo, and it's highly possible critters have filled the cooling tin with nests and debris, don't count on just sparking it up and driving off. Speaking of sparks, all the fuel lines will be suspicious, have a good fire extinguisher on hand. Also make damn sure you know where the other ends of the battery cables connect, reversing the polarity makes all sorts of expensive smoke and sometimes the negative has been replaced with red. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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Jason0115 Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2021 Posts: 97 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:39 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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mikewire wrote: |
Having gone through similar experience multiple times, there's lots to do before even connecting a battery. If you're not good with mechanics I would get someone who is, revivals are not always for the curious novice.
Full fuel system refresh - I would pull the motor and get the tank out, flush it and replace any and all rubber lines and hoses. New filter, pump and everything there, then work your way into the ignition system, inspect the tins etc. etc.
That's just a start...but before even jumping into all that work above, what was the condition that made the PO park it? You'll want to make sure you have a good T4 engine that can be revived.
Not trying to discourage you, but being realistic and calling out the fact it may be too much to take on without understanding the full scope of work. |
Thanks for the reply Mike... the reason it sat according to the po was he just never got around to driving it. He said he drove it up to his house no problem and bought because it looked fun. Engine compartment looks visually in good shape.
I'm ready for a summer project, I was thinking maybe take it to a specialty shop near me that works on them and have them do a good inspection and figure out what needs done that I can either do or I'll need shop to do. |
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mikewire Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2010 Posts: 805 Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Jason0115 wrote: |
Thanks for the reply Mike... the reason it sat according to the po was he just never got around to driving it. He said he drove it up to his house no problem and bought because it looked fun. Engine compartment looks visually in good shape.
I'm ready for a summer project, I was thinking maybe take it to a specialty shop near me that works on them and have them do a good inspection and figure out what needs done that I can either do or I'll need shop to do. |
For sure!
So you got the ol' "ran when I parked it" response...which is pretty common.
Again, just being realistic - it maybe, kinda, sorta ran when parked, and a deeper visual inspection would probably find a myriad of issues...and if that motor turns over with decent compression you should go buy a lotto ticket
Again, just going from my experiences.
I think getting it to a good aircooled mechanic would be perfect. Prepare to spend some coin just to get it running - it's a lot of work and most parts either need replaced (most parts are available new or used) or can be rebuilt at some cost.
1975 should be an 1800cc FI motor, so you may want to verify and start to learn on the Bosch L-jet FI parts and pieces.
We'd all love to see some pictures if you have them to share. There's lot of know-how here, and you'll get lot's of...advise... take all the replies in stride and learn so you can educate yourself and enjoy the up's and down's of VW ownership.
EDIT for a shout out: Busdaddy is very knowledgeable and has helped me many times, so for sure listen and consider all that he says - he's correct! _________________ -Mike
@countdowngarage
@bigskyeuro
1972 VW Kombi 9 Passenger Deluxe w/ 2.0L F.I. VWAC swap
1965 VW Beetle Deluxe Bahama Blue |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22638 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Be aware that NJ title backlog was 16 weeks in Feb. _________________ .ssS! |
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sjbartnik Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011 Posts: 5994 Location: Brooklyn
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Jason0115 wrote: |
Thanks for the reply Mike... the reason it sat according to the po was he just never got around to driving it. |
Yeah totally plausible
Yep full fuel system refresh, you are probably gonna be pulling the brakes apart to make sure they are good, obviously 10+ year old tires are gonna have to be replaced.
Gonna wanna pull the engine out to pull tin, remove mouse nests, etc before firing it up. _________________ 1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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timvw7476 Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2013 Posts: 2196 Location: seattle
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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bad rubber, like the tire rubber & fuel lines. Orange/brown brake fluid to flush.
Repack front wheel bearings. Grease the front end zerks. Fun stuff. Five hours worth before you get to the engine stuff. |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50332
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Any rubber hoses or elbows in the engine bay will likely have long before begun to fail or will begin to fail shortly after being put back into service: fuel lines, vacuum lines, fuel tank fill and vent lines, and some others.
Last edited by Wildthings on Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:28 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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JaimeH Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2012 Posts: 265 Location: Canterbury, NH
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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You don't need to take your bus to a mechanic yet. Post some pictures and especially multiple good photos of the engine. There's a host of Bus experts on this site that can lead you through an engine revival.
Even if you're mechanically challenged you can an will learn much about your bus if you jump in and try. _________________ 1978 Transporter 2.0 FI, BA6
Special Thanks to Razor's Customs, Boscawen, NH |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16954 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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If you just want it to start that’s one thing. If you want a non leaking, well running, strong and reliable engine then that’s another. _________________ 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
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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Jason0115 Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2021 Posts: 97 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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mikewire wrote: |
Jason0115 wrote: |
Thanks for the reply Mike... the reason it sat according to the po was he just never got around to driving it. He said he drove it up to his house no problem and bought because it looked fun. Engine compartment looks visually in good shape.
I'm ready for a summer project, I was thinking maybe take it to a specialty shop near me that works on them and have them do a good inspection and figure out what needs done that I can either do or I'll need shop to do. |
For sure!
So you got the ol' "ran when I parked it" response...which is pretty common.
Again, just being realistic - it maybe, kinda, sorta ran when parked, and a deeper visual inspection would probably find a myriad of issues...and if that motor turns over with decent compression you should go buy a lotto ticket
Again, just going from my experiences.
I think getting it to a good aircooled mechanic would be perfect. Prepare to spend some coin just to get it running - it's a lot of work and most parts either need replaced (most parts are available new or used) or can be rebuilt at some cost.
1975 should be an 1800cc FI motor, so you may want to verify and start to learn on the Bosch L-jet FI parts and pieces.
We'd all love to see some pictures if you have them to share. There's lot of know-how here, and you'll get lot's of...advise... take all the replies in stride and learn so you can educate yourself and enjoy the up's and down's of VW ownership.
EDIT for a shout out: Busdaddy is very knowledgeable and has helped me many times, so for sure listen and consider all that he says - he's correct! |
Thanks for the great insight! I added a link to the photos in the original post. Will update that folder with more. |
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wagohn Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2014 Posts: 740 Location: United States
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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I'm impatient and would probably throw gas in it, charge the battery, check the oil and turn the key.
I think I've watched too many YouTube "will it run" videos. _________________ 1976 VW Transporter, 2.0 FI Engine |
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Manfred58sc Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3382
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Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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After it starts, the push rod tubes, oil cooler seals, and maybe the main seal will start to drip,drip,drip. then after a few warm ups they will happily leak. I've revived many ACVW, pull the engine, evaluate, re-seal to have some peace of mind. _________________ Fat chick owner/operator |
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ToolBox Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 3439 Location: Detroit, where they don't jack parts off my ride in the parking lot of the 7-11
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Jason0115 wrote: |
Thanks for the great insight! I added a link to the photos in the original post. Will update that folder with more. |
It will take almost as much work to make the center mount progressive in time and parts to reinstall the FI system. Hopefully it was not driven much with the missing engine seal. |
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alman72 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 2573 Location: MICHIGAN
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:33 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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if stored outside, window rubber will be likely cracked and leaking. likes to leak on the front windshield right down onto the fusebox and a couple of relays, like blinker and wipers. |
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60vwnewengland Twin #2
Joined: June 25, 2003 Posts: 1784 Location: District of Columbia & Cape Cod
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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I just refreshed a motor that sat for ten years. Here what it looked like when I took it apart.
Critter set up a good home in there... _________________ 77 Westy - Cape Cod Sage
LLAP |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3575 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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60vwnewengland wrote: |
I just refreshed a motor that sat for ten years. Here what it looked like when I took it apart.
Critter set up a good home in there... |
So, just a ‘touch’ mousey..... _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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Rider_Surfboards Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2015 Posts: 69 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Whereabouts in NJ are you located? _________________ 1979 Bus Weekender -- Gertrude McBus |
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60vwnewengland Twin #2
Joined: June 25, 2003 Posts: 1784 Location: District of Columbia & Cape Cod
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:15 pm Post subject: Re: Getting a Type 4 engine to start after 10 years |
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Pictures of OP engine
No engine bay seal, probably disintegrated over the 10 years. Center mount carb with some FI components still in engine bay. But based on these two photos, I wouldn’t turn the key to try and run it.
Maybe pull a spark plug wire one at a time, stick your finger in between the tin and engine and see if you can feel any mouse houses that may have been built _________________ 77 Westy - Cape Cod Sage
LLAP |
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