Sick little Ghia

oceanair · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:42 pm Post subject: Sick little Ghia

A real head scratcher here --

A few weeks ago my wife called that the Ghia limped into her work spot, just barely made it. A while ago, I learned here that the carb idle jet can get dirty and to run the engine, put my hand over the air and make her struggle to run. I did that a year ago and it worked. It worked again a week or two ago. She ran great for a few weeks, till now.

I'm unsure if this is related. This car is a sunny day, summer only driver that does n't do too much driving. I took her out yesterday and from startup, there was a bit of a miss. Down the street I had to turn around and limp home. Through 0-3500 rpm she misses.

Checked timing, dwell and spark. All looks good. Put the plug back in, cap back on, wires nice and tight and she starts up sweetly, purring away. Hmm... maybe a loose high power wire. Ok, adjust the idle and the mixture. Runs nice. I wish I knew for sure what happened.

Then stalled out while I was putting tools away. Back to square 1. Same symptoms. Changed out the condenser with an spare, no joy.

Tried the hand over the carb, same, miss.

Any thoughts? Carb cleaner spray into the carb? Runs best rich -- with the choke, smaller miss and with the snorkel from the air cleaner on, she'll run better than off when I'm doing the hand over the air.

Any ideas?

Thanks --
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84 Vanagon Pop Top Conversion from Tin Top, 1970 Ghia - all sweet rides! Love em!
Previous: Green 72 Tin Top, White 72 Westy, Blue 64 Beetle, Yellow 71 Squareback, 2014 Jetta TDI Wagon - wish I could have them all back!

DaveOBrien · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 9:32 pm Post subject:

Had a similar problem with stalling and after reading up here I removed and cleaned the idle jet and it worked for me. Used carb cleaner and compressed air to clean it out. Protect your eyes and do it several times because you can't really see any dirt/rust. I had previously installed a new tank, old one was very rusty and some rust got past my filters. I had to do this a few times but easy to do.

Good luck

oceanair · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 9:49 pm Post subject:

Where do I find that Jet? Is this it?

http://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-c...80x435.jpg

Thanks -- Mine is a 30-3 Solex --
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84 Vanagon Pop Top Conversion from Tin Top, 1970 Ghia - all sweet rides! Love em!
Previous: Green 72 Tin Top, White 72 Westy, Blue 64 Beetle, Yellow 71 Squareback, 2014 Jetta TDI Wagon - wish I could have them all back!

djway3474 · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:17 pm Post subject:

Are you using fuel stabilizer? If not it may be time to clean the entire system.

oceanair · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:34 am Post subject:

Solved -- blew out the jet and she is fixed!

Remaining questions -- why does this keep happening? Should I carry a spare? And I was surprised to see that the jet was stamped 65. Seems big for an idle jet. I always thought it ran a bit lean, as it chirps a bit when foot off gas and going down hills. Hmm.

Thanks -- any further thoughts and advice is appreciated.

No stabilizer added. But we are driving her often now in the summer. Stored in the winter with Av Gas -- full 100LL -- 100 octane, low lead and very stable. She does get started and zipped around when the ground is dry about once a month in the winter.

Thanks again --
_________________
84 Vanagon Pop Top Conversion from Tin Top, 1970 Ghia - all sweet rides! Love em!
Previous: Green 72 Tin Top, White 72 Westy, Blue 64 Beetle, Yellow 71 Squareback, 2014 Jetta TDI Wagon - wish I could have them all back!

c21darrel · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:10 am Post subject:

If it keeps getting clogged...sounds like debris in the tank. The quick fix is a filter (over the trans). If you see debris collecting in the filter you know you have rust and or debris in the tank. Tank will need to come out for a cleaning and probably needs to be sealed.

Eric&Barb · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 4:23 pm Post subject:

Clean the carb, clean it again, and for good measure clean it again. Each time clean it as in completely apart so all the plastic and rubber parts are out of it. Soak over night in carb cleaner and use a carb cleaner spray to blow out passages.

Even then it might be time to have the fuel tank removed and cleaned out at a radiator shop. For now remove tank outlet and see how much crud is in there.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

oceanair · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 5:41 pm Post subject:

That's what I'll do, but I am surprised that this is happening with a filter installed, at the tranny. It's a metal one that I will replace. When I do, I'll cut this one open and have a look inside. I'd have thought that the filter would catch this...
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84 Vanagon Pop Top Conversion from Tin Top, 1970 Ghia - all sweet rides! Love em!
Previous: Green 72 Tin Top, White 72 Westy, Blue 64 Beetle, Yellow 71 Squareback, 2014 Jetta TDI Wagon - wish I could have them all back!

Eric&Barb · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 6:06 pm Post subject:

Had a really nice all original 1970 auto-stick beetle back in the 1980s. Had a problem with the main jet getting clogged up even with running a fuel filter. A tiny pearl would somehow form inside the main jet and bam, it would suddenly clog up. Even with cleaning the carb it still happened, just got used to it and could clean out the main jet in less than five minutes. After a time it stopped. Guessing the rust just got worked out of the system.

Rust is a mineral, minerals have a funny way of dissolving and then later forming into larger chunks especially on surfaces, and later when formed enough up can break off in big chunks.

Other stuff like very fine dust can get into the carb thru the air cleaner and build up also...
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In Stereo, Where Available!


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