Type-4 engine running trouble...

[Hebster52]

About a month ago I got the 2,0L type-4 running. It is a GE case with late type-4 (Vanagon) heads. Equipped with a pair of 38mm Solex PDSI's from BMW 2002.

When I first started it a month ago it run great. Even on idle.
Now it has been sitting outside since that weekend...

I have switched the fusebox on it since as I had a bug fusebox partly connected just to get it running then.

Now it seems like the battery is tired when I try to start it and when I finally get it started it first runs ok, but pretty soon starts shooting in the exhaust and run bad..

Can this trouble have something to do with the electrics and the fusebox switch? I'm not an automotive electrician so I might have got something wrong.

Before the oilpressure indicator did light up with the ignition on and shut down when it started. Now it dont light at all but an indicator lamp for brakeshoes burns all the time...

Maybe a burned condensator?

I dont know..
Anyone got any idea where to start?
The engine have hydraulic lifters and the rockers were adjusted when I had it running a month ago.

 

[kleinbusRonnie]

Hi there

As i read your description i think your engine is ok.

If i had that problem i would start by checking the electrics, have you made a failure when switching fusebox?.
First give you battery a charge over night, if you don't have a charger, by the cheap one in Biltema, it's ok.
Then start by checking the oil pressure indicator, it must light when ignition on and go out when engine is started.
I think you can check it by putting the wire of the sender and put to ground, then it should light up.
Then find out why the brakeshoe light is turned on.
I don't think your condensator is burned, then it would be total dead.(i have tried that).
It could be synchronization of your carburetors, do you have automatic choke on, it might be that who makes it run even in start. (or dirt?)
It is also worth checking if you timing is right, before adjusting carburetors.

Ronnie
Denmark

 

[Hebster52]

Ok. I will look into the electrics as the first. Most likely I have something connected wrong..

The carbs dont have any chokes any more as they were earlier used in a VW powered rallycross car. Carbs are originally from a BMW 2002 who had 38 PDSI.

 

[kleinbusRonnie]

Hey

Did you find any faults in the electrics?
Normally, you don't need chokes. Ok, you have some cold winters in Finland !
I used to run a set of Weber 36 dcnfs on a 1600 type 1, never connected the chokes. Usually after a minute it was running smooth.

just take one problem at the time, like the warning lights..

Ronnie

 

[Hebster52]

I did sort out the fusebox and I would say I have the wiring fixed. The engine still do run as bad... Strange as it did run good a month ago. I will have to check the timing, points etc. and also re-check the hydraulic lifter pre-load.

Yes, I agree that the choke is not normally needed. And for this P/U it will highly unlikely never be driven in the winters anymore..

 

[Hebster52]

I adjusted the lifters last weekend. Unfortunately I run out of gas so I couldn't teststart it afterwards but it seemed like the hydraulic lifters had pumped up since the previous adjusting so the preload was too much and therefore started to backfire in the exhaust.

Also fitted new gaskets.