Re: Major Fail: What am I Looking at?

[BillJohnson]

Fan without the center bolt:

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1979 Type 2 w/ Weber 40 IDF carbs
2003 Jetta TDI

[BillJohnson]

Just got off the phone with my mechanic. His story is that he remembers that there was damage on the crankshaft (?) and that he had to J-Weld the center bolt to the crankshaft? But then where is the bolt? He said he would likely use J-Weld again, let it sit a couple of days, and then see if it holds? Of course, he is pushing for a total engine rebuild because he says if it's only staying on there with J-Weld, it will come out again.

Anyone else have a better solution?
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1979 Type 2 w/ Weber 40 IDF carbs
2003 Jetta TDI

[thesatanicmechanic]

Never spend another dime with that person again. Do not call them or talk to them.

I, I just don't know what to say other than that. I work on cars for a living and acvws as a passion. Inept, unprofessional hackery.

Get a referral to a real vw mechanic

[Wildthings]

IIRC you can drill and tap the crankshaft for a larger diameter bolt if need be. This would be far preferable to trying to JB Weld the bolt in place. Not sure if this is what he is talking about, if he is just trying to JB Weld the hub in place without a bolt, that surely will not work.

[redxxrdr]

JB weld to hold a fan bolt in a crank?

Didn't tell you that he did it?

Sorry mechanic, don't go there again.

Now how did he find this problem? I guess that he removed the fan to fix the bracket?

Bet a impact wrench was involved, to remove AND install the bolt.
I have had more than one lugnut stripped by a mechanic with a impact.
Engine in, no flywheel lock or torque wrench used.

I would look for thread chaser, woodruff key, and a new bolt. Pull the engine, chase the threads, and see if the bolt will hold torque.
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Grandaddys 61 vert, 65 single cab.
Both waiting for retirement repair.

[BillJohnson]

[BillJohnson]

[Abscate]

You probably do have to pull the engine to get a drill in square to oversize the hole and then tap.

I have to concur that this a bad piece of mechanic work that could. Have costed you an entire engine. I think you will be ok though. People here think you have to rebuild your engine if a fly lands on it.
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.ssS!

[Wildthings]

I think you could do it with in the engine in and use an angle drill. The bit is going to want to follow the existing threaded hole and thus will pretty much square itself. Maybe buy three taps and grind one so that it all but has to start in straight, then follow with a normal tap, and follow that with a bottom tap.

You could also just lower the rear of the engine so that the centerline of the fan is below the bumper so as to get a straight shot at the end of the crank. Less work than doing a full engine pull.

[my59]

It's an M8 x30mm bolt, 1.25 thread. Just pulled the old one and checked.

With that info, I'd go to the hardware store, get another bolt, and see just how effed the crank threads are, after rinsing it with pb blaster and air, rags, whatever, and see if a new bolt threads in.

Added thread pitch.

[SGKent]

stay away from that shop from here on out. No one would hold a fan that spins 5,000 RPM at times in with JB weld.

You need to find another solution. There could be many possibilities here to fix it but he isn't one. He knew all along that a stripped bolt was involved then he looked you in the eye and said I don't hear anything.

Do you understand that if you were behind that bus setting the timing and that fan came loose at RPM it could kill you or a family member?


Link

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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Bleyseng]

Len's 914 is turning 8,000 rpms most of the video there but still holding a fan on with JB Weld is criminal. Pull the fan housing off and see if you can chase the threads or if a piece of bolt is in there remove it by drilling it out using a Cobalt/boron drill bit. Then a Easy out
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70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles

[BillJohnson]

[BillJohnson]

[BillJohnson]

[aerosurfer]

Isnt Seattle the flies on shit of bus central? Ask Stuart for local help. Or any of the other bus meetup groups out that way... im surenyou could gather enought hobbyists to get a descent diagnosis or work done for the cost of beer.
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Rebuild your own FI Harness..My Harness

77 Westy 2.0L Rockin and Rolling Resto!

72 Sportsmobile (sold)
79 Tran$porter... Parts car money machine (gone)

[mike77777]

I would clean the bolthole in the crankshaft, and see if a new proper sized bolt threads in. IF the woodruff key slot is ok, you would need maybe a key, and a bolt. Next, if that bolt has a hard time, try a tap of the correct diameter and pitch. Still a problem, then drill out the crank to the next size bolt. 40 year old technology, air cooled, carburators, not many can work on them successfully without training, or experience. There are a few shops in Portland still working on these. Trafton's has been assumed by a new owner. The parts house on Halsey, near se 82nd ave. has a shop in back. their lot is always full, they have parts. Just some ideas. call them, they may know a VWAC mechanic in Seattle. I worked 30 years in Alaska as a line mechanic in a small town[Homer] for various small shops. 4 bays was the largest, came across these vans from time to time. Had to get my mind into the design philosophy of the Germans , and follow procedures to have success repairing these.

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patience and putty

[raygreenwood]

[mike77777]

Have had this 77 for about 10 years now, been doing some thorough cleaning and repairing on her since August. She sat for 3 years. Tires were 10 years old, needed new due to deterioration.. Alternator was shot, and oil cooler leaked. Getting ready to fire her up again, had pulled the engine , replaced all the gaskets and seals accessable. Cleaned the heat exchangers, tin, fan shroud. assembly was easy out on the floor. Put new connectors on suspect wires. Basically made her as reliable as a 40 year old vehicle can be. They are labor intensive, def not plug and play.
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patience and putty

[LouFilia]