Itinerant stop in the Lower Hudson Valley
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:35 am
Ok, so I managed to sneak onto the tail end of the Itinerant schedule, as a Spring refresher just wasn't in the cards this year.
Our traveling wrench arrives at a respectable time after battling some NYC area traffic and a county road numbering system designed by a schizophrenic.
On to coffee and my history of repairs since his last visit. Colin comments that I have become much more of a mechanic since his last visit. (yes! he used the word mechanic
) Next was a short list of the days tasks and some general information questions that would get me on the right track with some other items after the clack of Cloe's valves have faded down the driveway.
The main task for the day was AFM adjustment, as despite my best efforts the Bus was still running uneven and sputtering a little.
after a review of my tuneup proceedures, and valves, we fixed some unhappy heater tubes that I had bought parts for, but had not gotten around to yet.
I should mention that I am just getting over a broken ankle, and have not had much bus time behind the wheel, or in the engine compartment since June. So I spent the day limping around on one crutch trying to soak up as much type 4 wisdom as I could.
After we got the tune up and heater tubes together we took a look at my timing scale and shimmed it out with some washers, so it would sit in place a little more acurately and not get rubbed by the fan bolts.
Compression test was next with the Bus coming in ast 125lbs on all four. I guess my top end rebuild payed off event though I was informed that I followed some bad advice and did not dress the cylinders while I was in there.
Finally with half the day gone we finally were about to fire it up when I was asked "what should I expext upon turning the key"
Reply- "should start fine, but it will stall untill it is warmed up." with this introduction we were off on another detour, as the AAR came out for adjustment.
The bus started and idled right off the bat, but did not settle in after warm up. Out came the AAR again for a bench test with the volt/ohm meter. This proved faulty and I was starting to get discouraged, when our traveling wrench asked to take a look at my old one. Clearly broken, with a loose housing and plug, it did read ok on the meter. After a few minutes with some JBWeld and a hose clamp we had a working unit. The duct tape didn't even come out of the box.
2:30 and we now have a running bus whew! time is flying. On to the AFM. 2:30 and we are finally getting to the first thing on my list, but have buttoned up a dozen details that I had not considered. A day with Colin has a way of taking on its own form regardless of your plans.
The AFM was lean lean lean. This was a rebuilt unit purchased and installed bythe last old German VW mechanics in the area, and aparently he had the adjustment screw as rich as it could go and the result was still lean. This adjustment was not as complicated as I thought it would be, but I think I still would rather have a knowledgeble eye on me if I had to do it again.
3:00- Our first test drive. Much smoother engine operation. The clutch could use a small adjustment. Transaxle sounds like it is feeling its age, better start saving up.
Back at the house we jack up the front to review a few front end items, and fill up the dripping steering box, which is not loose. I am informed that my center pin swing arm thingy is loose. A job for another day.
Then we jacked up ther rear wheels to asses the transaxle noise, except the rear drivers side brake is engaged, not frozen but rubbing.
another hour to free it and assess the brakes all around. What a freakishly convenient thing for that to happen while Colin was here. I can now add front pads and a rear brake cylinder to my to do list.
Which concludes our day. We got a lot done, and I've got a lot to do.
The engine starts immediately, nicely even when cold and accelerates smoothly. In the AM I thought I might have a small exhaust leak. It now sounds like it just came out of the factory.
After a quick bite to eat ( we didn't even squeeze lunch in) our hero was off to battle more NYC traffic.
See ya next year!
My homework:
Front Break pads
Rear brake cylinder
Listen for changes in the transmission
oil the windshield washer spindles
tighten the clutch cable slightly
Center pin replacement
more frequent rear brake adjustments
adjust my driving style (my clutch ankle is still not 100%)
Grease ball joint at cracked boot
Man, I thought I had a big list before he showed up...... Ah, the Bus lifestyle
Our traveling wrench arrives at a respectable time after battling some NYC area traffic and a county road numbering system designed by a schizophrenic.
On to coffee and my history of repairs since his last visit. Colin comments that I have become much more of a mechanic since his last visit. (yes! he used the word mechanic
) Next was a short list of the days tasks and some general information questions that would get me on the right track with some other items after the clack of Cloe's valves have faded down the driveway.The main task for the day was AFM adjustment, as despite my best efforts the Bus was still running uneven and sputtering a little.
after a review of my tuneup proceedures, and valves, we fixed some unhappy heater tubes that I had bought parts for, but had not gotten around to yet.
I should mention that I am just getting over a broken ankle, and have not had much bus time behind the wheel, or in the engine compartment since June. So I spent the day limping around on one crutch trying to soak up as much type 4 wisdom as I could.
After we got the tune up and heater tubes together we took a look at my timing scale and shimmed it out with some washers, so it would sit in place a little more acurately and not get rubbed by the fan bolts.
Compression test was next with the Bus coming in ast 125lbs on all four. I guess my top end rebuild payed off event though I was informed that I followed some bad advice and did not dress the cylinders while I was in there.
Finally with half the day gone we finally were about to fire it up when I was asked "what should I expext upon turning the key"
Reply- "should start fine, but it will stall untill it is warmed up." with this introduction we were off on another detour, as the AAR came out for adjustment.
The bus started and idled right off the bat, but did not settle in after warm up. Out came the AAR again for a bench test with the volt/ohm meter. This proved faulty and I was starting to get discouraged, when our traveling wrench asked to take a look at my old one. Clearly broken, with a loose housing and plug, it did read ok on the meter. After a few minutes with some JBWeld and a hose clamp we had a working unit. The duct tape didn't even come out of the box.
2:30 and we now have a running bus whew! time is flying. On to the AFM. 2:30 and we are finally getting to the first thing on my list, but have buttoned up a dozen details that I had not considered. A day with Colin has a way of taking on its own form regardless of your plans.
The AFM was lean lean lean. This was a rebuilt unit purchased and installed bythe last old German VW mechanics in the area, and aparently he had the adjustment screw as rich as it could go and the result was still lean. This adjustment was not as complicated as I thought it would be, but I think I still would rather have a knowledgeble eye on me if I had to do it again.
3:00- Our first test drive. Much smoother engine operation. The clutch could use a small adjustment. Transaxle sounds like it is feeling its age, better start saving up.
Back at the house we jack up the front to review a few front end items, and fill up the dripping steering box, which is not loose. I am informed that my center pin swing arm thingy is loose. A job for another day.
Then we jacked up ther rear wheels to asses the transaxle noise, except the rear drivers side brake is engaged, not frozen but rubbing.
another hour to free it and assess the brakes all around. What a freakishly convenient thing for that to happen while Colin was here. I can now add front pads and a rear brake cylinder to my to do list.
Which concludes our day. We got a lot done, and I've got a lot to do.
The engine starts immediately, nicely even when cold and accelerates smoothly. In the AM I thought I might have a small exhaust leak. It now sounds like it just came out of the factory.
After a quick bite to eat ( we didn't even squeeze lunch in) our hero was off to battle more NYC traffic.
See ya next year!
My homework:
Front Break pads
Rear brake cylinder
Listen for changes in the transmission
oil the windshield washer spindles
tighten the clutch cable slightly
Center pin replacement
more frequent rear brake adjustments
adjust my driving style (my clutch ankle is still not 100%)
Grease ball joint at cracked boot
Man, I thought I had a big list before he showed up...... Ah, the Bus lifestyle
