Died on freeway

[Homey '71]

71 Westy, New engine, full tank o' gas, died on fwy on the way home. It's got a good healthy spark but apparently no fuel. When I turn it over everything sounds fine, it even kicks over a bit every now and then. A couple things are odd though...1. the fuel filter was FULL when I opened the hood. 2. When I crank it over it makes a popping sound and what looks like fuel vapor spits out of the carb somewhere on the left side (facing the engine) near the bottom, unfortunately I can't tell exactly where it's coming from. I haven't been able to change the filter yet, but it was brand new as of the day before yesterday. That said, I ran the tank a bit low today so maybe sediment is the problem (?).

[Homey '71]

Update...Replaced the fuel filter, no change.

[Randy in Maine]

Well you need to rule out a "tank problem" with repsect to fuel delivery. THere is a little sediment sock in the bottom of the tank that might be all cruded up.

Get a gas can and draw directly from it to the fuel pump to see if it will run that way. If it does, you will need to consider you might have a rusty tank.

If it doesn't, your fuel pump is suspect.

[vdubyah73]

Looking at your other post about a knocking sound. Colin says new mexi longblocks may have hydro lifters. You say popping through carbs, won't start.
Here's what I'd do. Check for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner to eliminate that ( carbs out of wack or vac leaks can sound like a knock ). This may be an airbound hydro lifter or two,I just went through this with a friends new hydro 1776. Readjust your valves to .006 clearance (yes i know they're hydros ). See if it'll start and run. If it does there's your problem.
Air in the lifter heats up expanding the lifter to its full length and not allowing the valves to close all the way.
Search all my posts. I got alot of info from right here only a week or two ago.The topic was adjusting hydraulic lifters. Good luck, hope its as simple as that for you.
Bill
_________________
burning down the house

73 bounty hunter, sold.
'77 transporter, junked had crotch rot.
Dubless, but have a CPR built stroker waiting for a new to me Beetle
'93 Fleetwood Bounder 34'

[VWLover77]

I may be way off base, but could it be too much fuel? Could the needle valve in the carb not be closing properly causing the engine to flood out via the vent tube (the big tube that angles up into the throat of the carb? If you can look down the carb throat while cranking the engine (maybe with a mirror?) and see fuel spurting out of the vent tube, that's a problem.

Is it smoking out the exhaust when you try to start it?

Don
_________________
Don

1978 Westy
1971 Super Beetle Convertible


"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien

[gratefulbus]

Start simple. Make sure your fuel filter is on the right way, check your fuel pressure, check your points and condensor and rotor and cap first before tearing into it.
_________________
Some are born crappy, some achieve crappiness, and some have crappiness flung at them.

[nemobuscaptain]

PICT34? Pull the bolt on the side the carb and let any sediment run out of the bowl. Remove the jet and blow it out (with compressed air if possible).

If you are running a stock fuel pump, check and clean the screen.

Also, are you smelling gasoline odor out of the exhaust whilst you crank the engine?
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[nemobuscaptain]

Also, move your fuel filter away from the hot stuff in the engine bay. Put it underneath the gas tank.
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RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[nemobuscaptain]

>Colin says new mexi longblocks may have hydro lifters.

The mexi longblocks with hydro lifters also have an oil filter and won't fit in a type2.
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Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[Homey '71]

Yes, my mexi long block definitely has stock lifters. Vwlover77, your description appears to be the most accurate, there is a bit of smoke coming out of the exhaust as I crank it. (let me take a moment to publicly appreciate my HUGE battery that the p/o put in. I would have run out of juice three times over already trying to diagnose this prob with a standard battery). I definitely think the problem has something to do with the carb, the part I least understand in the whole system. Oh well this gives me the opportunity to learn something about it BEFORE I take off for a month this summer. The one symptom that I've never heard of before is that of the carb spitting vapor as the car tries to start...Is that normal? Thanks all for sharing the knowledge!