Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
How do I unclog a preheater tube?
Page: 1, 2  Next
Forum Index -> Beetle - 1958-1967 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
veedub00
Samba Member


Joined: March 23, 2005
Posts: 36
Location: Eastpointe, Meechigan
veedub00 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:46 am    Post subject: How do I unclog a preheater tube? Reply with quote

My preheater is clogged with what I have no clue. How do i clean it? I need a tiny roto rooter or something. Anybody tackle this before and could give me some suggestions?


Thanks,

James
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
pyrOman
Fire Master


Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12513
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
pyrOman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Drill through it with an old speedo cable! Cool
_________________
Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
lonslo
Samba Member


Joined: December 17, 2003
Posts: 1110
Location: Osideornoside
lonslo is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Then blow it out with a air compresser
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
veedub00
Samba Member


Joined: March 23, 2005
Posts: 36
Location: Eastpointe, Meechigan
veedub00 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't have an old speedo cable. Could I just buy a cable from home depot or something? Will any cable work? Do I need to do anything special to the end or just keep it straight?


Thanks for the replies so far,

James
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Livens
Samba Member


Joined: September 10, 2005
Posts: 555
Location: Louisville, KY
Livens is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

veedub00 wrote:
I don't have an old speedo cable. Could I just buy a cable from home depot or something? Will any cable work? Do I need to do anything special to the end or just keep it straight?


Thanks for the replies so far,

James


Nope, Home depot cables are way too soft. I went to Autozone and picked up a clutch cable for a 72 Super Beetle for cheap (under $10) and used that. Cut off about 2 ft. and chuck it into your drill and start cleaning! It takes FOREVER though, and I never got it perfect.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
oc63rag
Samba Member


Joined: June 03, 2003
Posts: 2663
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
oc63rag is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You may be better off buying a used center section that is already clear.
Check my ads for an example.
_________________
Designed for four soldiers and a machine gun...also for family use.

My food baby is crowning.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vdubyah73
Samba Member


Joined: July 05, 2003
Posts: 2541
Location: somewhere in Texas, my house has wheels
vdubyah73 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

headliner bows work.
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'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tkarnold
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Moab,Utah
tkarnold is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:01 pm    Post subject: clogged tube Reply with quote

I'll try to explain a way to start: use two hammers one on each side of the pipe, hit the pipe with one with the other on the other side , work up and down the pipe'; the vibration loosens the carbon
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
veedub00
Samba Member


Joined: March 23, 2005
Posts: 36
Location: Eastpointe, Meechigan
veedub00 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

what if they are plugged and I install it? Is that an issue? I really dont think I can unplug it.


Thanks for the advice so far,

James
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
OB Bus
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2631
Location: Ocean Beach - San Diego
OB Bus is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Muir's solution was an oxy/acetylene (sp?) torch. Heat the carbon to red hot then crank up the oxygen and the carbon burns itself up. I did try this (a long long time ago) with a propane/oxygen torch and it worked. Lotsa sparks flying in that garage. Think the clutch cable will be easier and cleaner.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.
People deserve the Government they voted for.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
coad Premium Member
Samba Scapegoat


Joined: September 12, 2002
Posts: 7560

coad is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OB Bus wrote:
Muir's solution was an oxy/acetylene (sp?) torch. Heat the carbon to red hot then crank up the oxygen and the carbon burns itself up. I did try this (a long long time ago) with a propane/oxygen torch and it worked. Lotsa sparks flying in that garage. Think the clutch cable will be easier and cleaner.


My mechanic does it that way. Pretty good show when he does it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
EverettB Premium Member
Administrator


Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 70937
Location: Phoenix 602
EverettB is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've done a couple with varying results.

I use an old clutch cable, hammers (light tapping), overnight soaking in carb. cleaner (turn upside down and fill it), and blow it out in between clutch cable drill sessions with an air compressor.

It can take a long time.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Facebook Instagram YouTube Gallery Classifieds Feedback
tkarnold
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Moab,Utah
tkarnold is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:59 pm    Post subject: clogeddoe Reply with quote

doesn't serve any purpose until cold weather and car will operate even then. case in ppint: no preheat on dual carbs. tom
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
vdubyah73
Samba Member


Joined: July 05, 2003
Posts: 2541
Location: somewhere in Texas, my house has wheels
vdubyah73 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The car will run a lot better at all times if you clear it. The stock induction has a long way to go to reach the heads, the fuel wants to condense back into liquid on its way to the heads. The heat from the preheat tube helps prevent this. The heat also prevents carb iceing in cool, damp weather. Dual carb setups don't need as much help with this because the intake runners aren't as long, they are aluminum, and they sit right above the heads. I get carb iceing ocasionally with my 44 IDF's, but not like you would with a plugged preheater tube. It's there for a reason. Unplug it, especially if you already have it off.


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'
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed


Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
Towel Rail is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:03 am    Post subject: Re: clogeddoe Reply with quote

tkarnold wrote:
doesn't serve any purpose until cold weather and car will operate even then. case in ppint: no preheat on dual carbs. tom


70 degrees is "cold weather" for an engine.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
oldvolksguy
Samba Member


Joined: August 05, 2006
Posts: 179
Location: Carrollton, Texas
oldvolksguy is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Or you could buy a new manifold and save the hours....and I do mean hours, trying to clean the old one out, just to find out that it is weak and rusting into two or more pieces!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
dennisf486
Samba Member


Joined: March 17, 2005
Posts: 179

dennisf486 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just sprayed into the tube with a pressure washer for several minutes. Nothing - nothing - nothing - boom! Water out the other end! I think I got lucky. I hadn't expected it to make it all the way through. But once you have a small path from one side to the other, the flowing water will eat up the carbon quickly and widen the hole, which lets in more water, which eats more carbon, etc. I don't think you'd get any but a very minor clog out this way, but if you can get a wire passed through, using the pressure washer to clean up the rest might save you some trouble.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
veedub00
Samba Member


Joined: March 23, 2005
Posts: 36
Location: Eastpointe, Meechigan
veedub00 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The thing is, I just bought this from a guy on the samba? Should I be pissed that its clogged? Or is this a buyer's beware type thing. Should I contact the guy and tell him its clogged?


James
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
pyrOman
Fire Master


Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12513
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
pyrOman is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, you should be pissed that you didn't ask before spending the $$$. Confused

Hopefully it wasn't much and/or it is still good even AFTER you unclog it. Meaning, depending on its "age" and amount of carbon in it, it can also be corroded inside to the point of perforating the tube's skin. In which case it is toast! Sad

I run the Gutless Wonder without it. Will take a picture and post it so you can see just how it looks inside when plugged. Mine rusted right through, leaked and it was so bad that I just grabbed it and tore it right off. Shocked
_________________
Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
EverettB Premium Member
Administrator


Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 70937
Location: Phoenix 602
EverettB is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

veedub00 wrote:
The thing is, I just bought this from a guy on the samba? Should I be pissed that its clogged? Or is this a buyer's beware type thing. Should I contact the guy and tell him its clogged?

No, unless he said it was clear because almost all used manifolds are clogged.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Facebook Instagram YouTube Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Beetle - 1958-1967 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2024, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.