The Stupid Question Thread

[jlarmen]

[KentABQ]

[RBurn]

[Tcash]

[RixiesRide]

The VW Gods do not want me to have a running bus.

I have a 73 that I had the engine from my 79 swapped into. Empi dual carbs along with the electric fuel pump and centrifugal distributor that was recommended on the installation instructions for the carbs.

A friend did the swap for me and had it running. I took it to a vw shop to get the valves adjusted and a tune up along with repairing the brake system and some other safety isuues.

Picked it up from the shop before work Friday morning. It started up and idled nicely so I drove it acroos the street to load it on the trailer and it did start to sputter as I drove up the ramp but I figured that was because the angle of the gas tank and low on fuel. It idled better on the trailer.

Got him home and he started okay but then sputtered and backfired. My husband went today and got 3 gallons to put in but that didnt help.

The electric fuel pump should work with the fuel sending unit in the '73 tank?

I hope this made sense.
_________________
1973 Wild Westerner "Mr. Peabody"
1967 Beetle "Sherman"

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/RixiesRide/WW/

[busdaddy]

[RixiesRide]

I don't know. Can you tell by looking at thIs picture? Also, it's a brand new fuel pump.
_________________
1973 Wild Westerner "Mr. Peabody"
1967 Beetle "Sherman"

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/RixiesRide/WW/

[busdaddy]

You'll have to follow that wire coming from it and see where it goes. Those pumps are far from silent, I suspect they didn't use a relay and it's wired directly to the coil (so long ignition switch), with the key on you should hear it clicking or feel it pulsing.

Or if it is running it may be flooding from the lack of a pressure regulator, those pumps are not the greatest by any means.
_________________
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!

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[RixiesRide]

I just ran out and checked. It is a long wire directly to the coil.

How difficult is it to add a relay. Is it something anyone who works on cars can do or do I need to haul it back to the vw shop?

Edit: I can hear the clicking when i turn the key.
_________________
1973 Wild Westerner "Mr. Peabody"
1967 Beetle "Sherman"

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/RixiesRide/WW/

[Alan Brase]

Half the time at least it is a fuel tank debris problem. The easy way to check for this is to temporarily feed the fuel pump from a gas can located nearby, or even a small engine fuel tank.
Make sure you plug the hose coming from the old tank so you don't spill gas. (sometimes it will still drip but not enough to run.)
If it runs with the temporary fuel tank, then deal with the original tank.
But be very careful. These tanks will drain by gravity and have tragic results.
Always keep a fire extinguisher handy.
(Perhaps someone else can supply a fire extinguisher link? thanks)
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[RixiesRide]

Thanks Alan.

I was thinking it might be debris, but when my friend did the swap I asked him to check the tank and if it was cruddy I wanted him to use the fresh tank I had bought for the 79. He said the tank looked brand new so I was relieved that I wouldn't have to deal with that problem.

It doesn't mean that's not the problem but I'm hoping it's something else.

About an hour after my husband added the gas he asked if I tried to start it again. I told him "No I'm not starting it until I have someone standing nearby with an extinguisher or a hose." I can't believe he actually said "why?"

I was waiting to get the bus running and then I want to get the Blazecut system put in.
_________________
1973 Wild Westerner "Mr. Peabody"
1967 Beetle "Sherman"

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/RixiesRide/WW/

[Alan Brase]

1975 up tanks for fuel injection have 2 hose barbs on the bottom, one pickup and one return. Make sure you hook to the right one.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[airschooled]

[RixiesRide]

Al, I learned from this site about the two barbs when I was looking for the tank for my '79. If I end up having to use it I'll plug the extra nipple. Thank you.

Robbie, I pumped the pedal maybe 4 times then cranked the key. It started to catch but then sputtered so I pumped the pedal a couple of times but when it backfired I shut it off.

I'm off tomorrow so I'll try again.

I'm wondering if the cheap-ass battery my friend installed could be too weak.
_________________
1973 Wild Westerner "Mr. Peabody"
1967 Beetle "Sherman"

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a269/RixiesRide/WW/

[airschooled]

[Terminatez]

Haven't taken apart my turn signal on my 72 bay window.. but does anyone know how many wires does the 72 have? Is it 7?
_________________
1972 Westfalia P30 hardtop Campmobile [On-going Restoration]

[busdaddy]

[Tcash]

[Wasted youth]

Cannot find information anywhere on chassis lubrication of rear trailing arms. Surely there must be some bearings or something in there that is dying for some fresh grease. Can't find any grease fittings, Bentley seems vague and the Samba search on the rear trailing arms seems to center on arguments on how to adjust or critical reviews of people.

DO we, or do we NOT lubricate the rear trailing arms with a grease gun? Do they need lubrication?

[busdaddy]