Picked up an old piece of junk, want to see how far it can go.

[Guest]

History Commands

[July 26, 2010, 01:36:19 PM] Jon74panel: I'm burning 2 quarts of oil every time I fill up, I dread going up hills because its just a cloud of smoke behind me, help!

[July 26, 2010, 01:37:35 PM] Jon74panel: does this say drive no futher? I am 1900km away from home, do I limp it home?

[July 26, 2010, 01:38:18 PM] Jon74panel: Location:tofino,BC Destination:Calgary,AB

[July 26, 2010, 01:44:07 PM] Jon74panel: there is a small pool oil on the fan. *scared

[July 27, 2010, 02:49:48 AM] Beetle: http://www.type2.com/ & click on 'AIRS' icon.

[July 27, 2010, 07:45:05 AM] Orange_crush: help! acceleration problem.  bus can only go 5mph on hills..picks up fine on flats and dwon hill.  single carb. 2000cc  motor

[July 27, 2010, 09:04:10 AM] addicted: hey any one on?

[July 27, 2010, 09:04:44 AM] addicted: got a question abdout my piont set heating up

[July 27, 2010, 09:29:38 AM] addicted: poof of smoke from the pionts and gf claims from the dash aswell

[July 27, 2010, 09:38:17 AM] Beetle: Addicted: Post in the forum for better results.

[July 27, 2010, 10:56:36 AM] blue bus: does anyone know how to take the handle off the slider door ao a 74 transporter

[Today at 09:29:31 AM] scoobz: need help adjusting electric choke on 72 type 2

[Radamus]

Hello, This is my first post here.
My dad and I recently picked up a 72 Bus (Westfalia, if that narrows it down at all). My dad's pretty good with Volkswagens, but this is the Porsche 914 engine, which is different, he has told me.

We finally got all of the ownership of the vehicle fixed (long story) so we took a look to see what we are working with. We jacked up the back tires, put it in fourth gear, and turned the wheels. The previous owner said the engine "seized up" and didn't explain it any more, so we wanted to see if the engine was busted badly or not so badly.

The wheels turned freely in all gears, even reverse. What could cause this problem?

Also, if there's any advice you have for someone who will more than likely have to fix everything, I am all ears. I'm not interested in keeping it stock (not that there's much left to keep stock), so if there's any after market products that will help with functionality or gas mileage, I want to know.

Also, I want to know what sort of modifications I can be in the market for. The van will be mine once it's running, and I want to make it the best I can. I've heard that turbines and chargers can aid fuel economy, but I don't know anything about either of those and most websites are a bit over my head. And if anyone knows of any place I can learn about using any sort of thermal energy produce by the car, I would also like to hear about that. I know I'm asking for a lot, but I have high hopes and I want to get started on research.

Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me. I'm sure I'll be back as more problems make themselves known. The part about the wheels turning is the only thing we've noticed so far, but it is far from mint condition.

We're planning on pulling the engine out soon. I found some good information on http://www.ratwell.com, so I feel pretty confident in doing that.

Thanks

[GostaBerling]

First off, to LMB

Hello, This is my first post here.
My dad and I recently picked up a 72 Bus (Westfalia, if that narrows it down at all). My dad's pretty good with Volkswagens, but this is the Porsche 914 engine, which is different, he has told me.

Just as a point of clarification, Porsche modified the VW design for the 914. Therefore, Porsches actually have Veedub engines.

The wheels turned freely in all gears, even reverse. What could cause this problem?

I'm not the best with this sort of questions, but my guess would be that the throw out bearing, clutch fork, or pressure plate is not engaging. Or you could simply be stuck in neutral.

We jacked up the back tires, put it in fourth gear, and turned the wheels. The previous owner said the engine "seized up" and didn't explain it any more, so we wanted to see if the engine was busted badly or not so badly.

To check the engine use a 22mm or a crescent wrench on the alternator pulley nut. (this is the recommended way to rotate the engine).

Also, if there's any advice you have for someone who will more than likely have to fix everything, I am all ears. I'm not interested in keeping it stock (not that there's much left to keep stock), so if there's any after market products that will help with functionality or gas mileage, I want to know.

The best thing you can to do is keep up on the maintenance. The only add on that I would suggest is a SVDA (single vacuum dual advance) distributor, if you have a 009 or mechanical advance distributor. Read why here:  http://www.lovemybus.com/forum/vw-bus-repair-questions/do-your-bus-a-favor-ditch-that-009/0/

Also, I want to know what sort of modifications I can be in the market for. The van will be mine once it's running, and I want to make it the best I can. I've heard that turbines and chargers can aid fuel economy, but I don't know anything about either of those and most websites are a bit over my head.

Generally turbo's and super chargers are bad ideas on these engines. They add extra heat and stress to a vehicle already prone to overheating.

If you have plenty of spare dough, then order a rebuild kit from Jake Raby at Aircooled Technologies. They will run over $4,000, but you wont need to rebuild the engine again. plus it's the only complete kit on the market.

Also, nobody on here will give you flak if you call it a van, but other websites will. Most refer to it as a bus.

And if anyone knows of any place I can learn about using any sort of thermal energy produce by the car, I would also like to hear about that.

Use thermal energy for what? Currently the thermal energy wasted going out the exhaust is used to produce the hot air that heats the vehicle, but other than that I am not sure there is much more you can do with it...besides cooking (youtube barefoot chef)

I hope you get the bus back on the road and have loads of fun in it.

 

[Radamus]

Thanks for the response.
My dad turned the alternator nut already. The alternator turned, but the engine did not. Is this a bad sign?

Use thermal energy for what? Currently the thermal energy wasted going out the exhaust is used to produce the hot air that heats the vehicle, but other than that I am not sure there is much more you can do with it...besides cooking (youtube barefoot chef)
 

About the heater, first: I live in Arizona presently. Not much use for the heater. What I mean to say is that I have read that internal combustion engines only use the pressure of the explosion, and not the heat produced. I think that the temperature of the engine is usually around boiling temperature, and the mad scientist in me wants to see if I can somehow power a compressor that will give me AC using the engine's heat. Probably biting off more than I can chew, but I figure I might as well shoot for whatever while I can.

Also, if I want a more standard method of air conditioning, is it possible to put a unit in the bus? My dad said he has seen it done before, but he didn't mention the specifics.

I'll try to call it a bus now, but I think van is kind of stuck, so who knows what I'll say. I probably say "bus" two out of three times.

Is it the air cooled part that makes the vehicle subject to overheat? What can be done about this?

As for the possible problems you mentioned, where can I find how to fix those things?

Thanks again.

[GostaBerling]

Sounds like the engine may be locked up then. Though your wheels should not spin "freely" in any gears. If the engine is locked up, you can try pouring Marvel Mystery Oil into the cylinders through the spark plugs. Let it sit for a few hours and then try to spin the engine, if not wait a day or two and try again. If it turns over do not try to start it until you drain out the oil and replace it, the filter and clean the screen.

Most likely you will need to rebuild/replace the engine. As earlier stated Raby is the only complete kit on the market. Otherwise you will need to gather all the components yourself. For replacement one of the best is Boston Bobs, you are looking at around $2,500 and about 9 months out. You could also find a used engine on thesamba.com or craigslist.

About the heater, first: I live in Arizona presently. Not much use for the heater. What I mean to say is that I have read that internal combustion engines only use the pressure of the explosion, and not the heat produced. I think that the temperature of the engine is usually around boiling temperature, and the mad scientist in me wants to see if I can somehow power a compressor that will give me AC using the engine's heat. Probably biting off more than I can chew, but I figure I might as well shoot for whatever while I can.

You are correct that the engine uses the combustion to propel the vehicle. I think that any attempt to harness the heat energy would require the alteration of the cooling tins, which could lead to overheating.

Is it the air cooled part that makes the vehicle subject to overheat? What can be done about this?

Aircooled vehicles have cylinder head temps around 300-350F when working properly (these are approximate internal temps). At 400F the seats that the valves seal to are made of a different kind of metal than the heads and they expand at a different rate. Prolong running at these temps will lead to a valve seal falling out or dropping. This then reduces compression because the valve no longer seals. Plus the seat now flops around in the cylinder jacking up the piston.

Buses are prone to this because of the extra weight. You have purchased a 2 ton vehicle powered by a 60 horse engine, it has to work very hard to lug its weight around.

This is compounded by the way an aircooled works. Unlike watercooled cars that use water circulating around the engine to remove excess heat, aircooleds rely on air passing over the engine. Without regular maintenance, i.e. valve adjustments every 1,500-3,000 miles, the valves tighten up this adjusts the timing and increases stress on the valvetrain and causes the bus to run hotter.

As the vehicles get older and successive owners have neglected and abused it, some cooling pieces become missing or inoperable, i.e. thermostat (yes vw have thermostats). The VW engine requires all parts to work together in order to keep cool.

[Radamus]

Thanks for the response. So it looks as though the engine is busted? Is there any chance it's not?

I'm not sure that the rebuild is in the forecast for the near future. My dad mentioned something about a kit to put a 1600 engine in it instead, but I'm not sure that's a good idea.

We'll check it out and I will post about what we find.

Thanks again.

[vdubyah73]

If both rear wheels are off the ground, tranny in any gear,they will spin freely..................in opposite directions.

[zozo]

Boston Bob passed away within' the last week.  RIP Bob.

[GostaBerling]

Boston Bob passed away within' the last week.  RIP Bob.

crap I hadn't heard that.

If both rear wheels are off the ground, tranny in any gear,they will spin freely..................in opposite directions.

Wouldn't the engine turn over as well?

My dad mentioned something about a kit to put a 1600 engine in it instead, but I'm not sure that's a good idea.

I'd recommend against it. The Type 4 is a great engine for a bus. Besides putting a Type 1 engine into a 72 and later bus requires significant tin modification. Check the classifieds on the samba. You can typically pick up a used engine for a few hundred dollars.

[Dj:Eep]

If both rear wheels are off the ground, tranny in any gear,they will spin freely..................in opposite directions.

Wouldn't the engine turn over as well?

The differential allows one wheel to spin while the other doesn't, think one-legger burnout.

[GostaBerling]

Gotcha   

[rastafoo]

Yeah, that confused me the first time I jacked up the 2 back tires and tried to turn the motor by hand turning the tires.......yep, they have to turn opposite directions from each other in this scenerio to turn the engine. The ratchet on the center shaft of the fan wheel (type 4 engine) is easier.

[Radamus]

Thanks for all the responses, guys.

The thing about the tires is good to know. So if I turn one wheel one way and my dad turns the other the other, than the engine will turn? That sounds like the start of a joke, to be honest, but I've got nothing to lose (except maybe respect from the neighbors, but I'm not sure how they felt about us dragging the bus into the garage anyway).

I'll check craigslist for engines. Any other suggestions? I saw one on ebay which was in Tucson (I'm in Phoenix), so that wouldn't be too bad if there's money to be saved.

Thanks for all the help.

[vdubyah73]

Thanks for all the responses, guys.

The thing about the tires is good to know. So if I turn one wheel one way and my dad turns the other the other, than the engine will turn? That sounds like the start of a joke, to be honest, but I've got nothing to lose (except maybe respect from the neighbors, but I'm not sure how they felt about us dragging the bus into the garage anyway).

I'll check craigslist for engines. Any other suggestions? I saw one on ebay which was in Tucson (I'm in Phoenix), so that wouldn't be too bad if there's money to be saved.

Thanks for all the help.

No. The tranny has what is called an open differential. It allows the outside wheel in a corner to spin faster than the inside because the outside tire has more ground to cover, think a circle within a circle the outer circle covers more ground. In order to turn the engine over by spinning the wheels you have to spin them in the same direction. Good luck with that unless you are superman. Your tranny gears the engine speed down to give it an advantage. when you are on the highway and your engine is turning 4000 RPM do you think your wheels are spinning at 4000 RPM? Nope, stock 185/14 tires only make 786 RPM per mile. If you are trying to turn the engine over for maintenance use a wrench on either the alternator pulley nut or the fan hub nut . If you are trying to start it, push the bus and pop the clutch in second or third gear

[rastafoo]

woops....