Chasing issues.
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:28 pm
1970 VW Riviera Pop-top Camper, stock 1600 sp, Bertha.
Background
So the engine has never been that happy after I replaced the re-worked heads that the valves had begun dropping in with new heads, new valves, punchiest set of springs, and a machine shop three angle valve grind to seat them. Ran rough at start-up, had to keep a foot on the gas to keep it running until it warmed up. Then it seemed dandy, except for hard starts after stops to fuel, errands, etc, unless the engine got good and cold again. I chased vacuum leaks at my intake manifold. No joy.
Progress
More than one friend suggested the carburetor could be the issue. As I have "rebuilt" the one I was running on more than one occasion, I bit the bullet and invested in a new carburetor. Initial test drives were very encouraging. Started up and idled without having to keep a foot on the gas straight out of the box. A really minor hiccup of falter from running to accelerating. So onto adjusting the carb, opened up the bypass and thought maybe that was the trick, but noticed the throttle arm wasn't closing entirely. So I pushed it closed and the engine died.
Set-back
Then, the engine wouldn't turn over. This has been an issue because poor Bertha has been sitting this last year, other than a run to Maupin and her debut in the local Amboy Territorial Days Parade. The key has been bypassed, so a switch turns on the ignition, and a button turns over the starter. Dash lights are bright when I turn on the ignition, but starter doesn't spin. I can hear a "whirring" noise, but that's it. Generally I can come back after a bit, try it again, and we get a spin and start. I attributed it to sitting and being a bit "electrical contact corrosion compromised". But this time, no joy. The "whirring" noise I imagine is my starter gear spinning unengaged from the flywheel. Bang on the solenoid. No help. Wondering if I need a new starter. Sheesh, I replaced the one there how long ago? Well, not that recently. Then I get a glow and fade from my dash lights, and nothing. Keee-rist.
Stupidity narrowly averted
I checked all the electrical connections. Solid. I check the voltage of the battery. Barely eleven. Charge the battery and everyone is happy happy happy. Finish adjusting the idle with the bypass screw and go for another little test drive. Seems like it was the ticket ...
But ...
My accelerator cable seems to be sticking, leaving the carb open and a horrifically fast idle until I open the engine hatch and push the throttle arm down. I crawl under and lube up the accelerator cable everywhere I can find to do so. No joy. Maybe it's the new carburetor. Parts quality isn't what they used to be. I disconnect the cable from the carburetor. Carburetor seems fine. I'm not getting a "stuck open" out of it. The plan at that point was to replace the accelerator cable, and with a grease gun fill the tube it runs though with axle grease, and hope that addresses the issue. So today went out and disconnected the cable at the pedal, wondering if I had put the two washers on either side of the cable backwards, as there is a cup action to them, noting an adjustable plate gizmo on the assembly that could be wrong and maybe an issue, although has never been in the past, and generally scratching my head over the engineering of the connection assembly. It seemed odd that my gas pedal would be solely reliant on the spring on the carburetor throttle arm to return to an idle position. Consulted my Bentley, but nothing there, went online and realized there's a spring at the pedal that I have never had.
That must be the ticket. My fingers are crossed.
neal
Background
So the engine has never been that happy after I replaced the re-worked heads that the valves had begun dropping in with new heads, new valves, punchiest set of springs, and a machine shop three angle valve grind to seat them. Ran rough at start-up, had to keep a foot on the gas to keep it running until it warmed up. Then it seemed dandy, except for hard starts after stops to fuel, errands, etc, unless the engine got good and cold again. I chased vacuum leaks at my intake manifold. No joy.
Progress
More than one friend suggested the carburetor could be the issue. As I have "rebuilt" the one I was running on more than one occasion, I bit the bullet and invested in a new carburetor. Initial test drives were very encouraging. Started up and idled without having to keep a foot on the gas straight out of the box. A really minor hiccup of falter from running to accelerating. So onto adjusting the carb, opened up the bypass and thought maybe that was the trick, but noticed the throttle arm wasn't closing entirely. So I pushed it closed and the engine died.
Set-back
Then, the engine wouldn't turn over. This has been an issue because poor Bertha has been sitting this last year, other than a run to Maupin and her debut in the local Amboy Territorial Days Parade. The key has been bypassed, so a switch turns on the ignition, and a button turns over the starter. Dash lights are bright when I turn on the ignition, but starter doesn't spin. I can hear a "whirring" noise, but that's it. Generally I can come back after a bit, try it again, and we get a spin and start. I attributed it to sitting and being a bit "electrical contact corrosion compromised". But this time, no joy. The "whirring" noise I imagine is my starter gear spinning unengaged from the flywheel. Bang on the solenoid. No help. Wondering if I need a new starter. Sheesh, I replaced the one there how long ago? Well, not that recently. Then I get a glow and fade from my dash lights, and nothing. Keee-rist.
Stupidity narrowly averted
I checked all the electrical connections. Solid. I check the voltage of the battery. Barely eleven. Charge the battery and everyone is happy happy happy. Finish adjusting the idle with the bypass screw and go for another little test drive. Seems like it was the ticket ...
But ...
My accelerator cable seems to be sticking, leaving the carb open and a horrifically fast idle until I open the engine hatch and push the throttle arm down. I crawl under and lube up the accelerator cable everywhere I can find to do so. No joy. Maybe it's the new carburetor. Parts quality isn't what they used to be. I disconnect the cable from the carburetor. Carburetor seems fine. I'm not getting a "stuck open" out of it. The plan at that point was to replace the accelerator cable, and with a grease gun fill the tube it runs though with axle grease, and hope that addresses the issue. So today went out and disconnected the cable at the pedal, wondering if I had put the two washers on either side of the cable backwards, as there is a cup action to them, noting an adjustable plate gizmo on the assembly that could be wrong and maybe an issue, although has never been in the past, and generally scratching my head over the engineering of the connection assembly. It seemed odd that my gas pedal would be solely reliant on the spring on the carburetor throttle arm to return to an idle position. Consulted my Bentley, but nothing there, went online and realized there's a spring at the pedal that I have never had.
That must be the ticket. My fingers are crossed.
neal