My Vw Bug Will Start but Not Continue to Run

Author Message eriejeff
Samba Member

Joined: November 29, 2007
Posts: 31
Location: South Carolina

Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:19 pm   Post subject: Please help, bug wont stay running
after taking a 1 year break from the frustration in this bug I need some help. The car starts right up, it is timed 7.5 before TDC and the points are set. The car starts, idles for 3-4 minutes then just dies. It will re start again but keeps doing the same thing. It is a single port, 1600, 009 dist. Solex h30/31 PICT carb. Engine was rebuilt last year, new carb, new wires, new plugs, new points. I am at a los here.

Back to top Karmann_65
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Joined: April 17, 2009
Posts: 524
Location: Lancashire, UK

Back to top Hammarlund
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Joined: June 15, 2009
Posts: 1539
Location: Central Texas

Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:05 pm   Post subject:
When the car dies, does it cough and sputter at least a little first, or does it die dead? Cough and sputter usually = fuel starvation, fuel pump, needle seat/valve/float. Did the problem start before or after you put on the new carb? If the car is still exhibiting the exact same symptom it was that made you try replacing the carb in the first place, then the problem is likely to be somewhere else (perhaps a fuel pump or an electrical problem). But if you initially replaced the carb as part of a tuneup to address a different issue, well... The carb's new, so one might think the float/needle seat/valve are all good. But if the carb sat on the shelf long enough this might not be so. A sticky or maladusted float can cause this exact problem...if the car is spluttering before it dies, try tapping GENTLY on the bowl of the carb with the handle of a screw driver just as it starts to gasp. If the tapping helps, the float may be sticking. You should also check and make sure the fuel cutoff solenoid isn't cutting out on you. Die dead usually = electrical problem (often the coil or condensor). If you've got a timing light, hook it up and watch it while she stalls. Light keep flashing till the bitter end? Likely not an electrical problem. Good luck and keep us posted.

Back to top eriejeff
Samba Member

Joined: November 29, 2007
Posts: 31
Location: South Carolina

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:08 am   Post subject:
The timing light stays flashing right up to the end. I have tried 2 different carbs with the same effect. I can drive it but as soon as I let off the gas it goes flat and dies. The timing is correct, the dwell is correct, the points are correct. I can keep feathering the gas to keep it running. Once it stalls it will fire right back up hot, one press of the pedal and its runnig again for a few more minutes.

Back to top 83_WabbitGTI
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Joined: December 01, 2006
Posts: 1335
Location: Eagle Point, Oregon

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:57 am   Post subject:
Idle circuit out of adjustment, or vacuum leak. Double check the boots on the DP intake. Especially around the bottom side that you can't see. My Baja had the EXACT same issue and it turned out to be a crack on both boots. If someone has over tightened the boot clamps they have a tendency to split at the rib. Just loosen the clamps, pull them off the boot, rotate it and inspect it.... Sure fire way to check for a leak is to spray starting fluid around the boots - intake gaskets while it crapping out and see if it smooths out. I bet dollars to doughnuts it's the boots. _________________ 2013-2014 Vice President of SOVW www.sovw.org "No matter how a VW breaks down.... You can always make it home on Zipties, Ducktape, and JB Weld...." -Doug Christen, VW Owner 83 Rabbit GTI - 83 Rabbit LS Custom - 63 Westy - 65 Bug - 64 Baja (Herbie's Studly Cousin) - 91 Audi 90 Quattro 20v - 85 Vw Cabby - 84 VW Scirocco - 69 Beetle (Phantasm Bug) - 78 Cabriolet Need a VW website built? PM me.

Back to top KTPhil
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Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 31413
Location: Conejo Valley, CA

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:01 am   Post subject:
Hammarlund wrote: You should also check and make sure the fuel cutoff solenoid isn't cutting out on you. Put a test light in this connection and see if it stays lit even after it dies. If so, you know it's getting power. Then unplug it and plug it in, and listen for the click.

Back to top 83_WabbitGTI
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Joined: December 01, 2006
Posts: 1335
Location: Eagle Point, Oregon

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:02 am   Post subject:
Phil, I just had a brand new one fail. It would fire back 6 out of 10 times. Here's a procedure for adjusting the idle circuit on that carb. http://www.vw-resource.com/30PICT2.html _________________ 2013-2014 Vice President of SOVW www.sovw.org "No matter how a VW breaks down.... You can always make it home on Zipties, Ducktape, and JB Weld...." -Doug Christen, VW Owner 83 Rabbit GTI - 83 Rabbit LS Custom - 63 Westy - 65 Bug - 64 Baja (Herbie's Studly Cousin) - 91 Audi 90 Quattro 20v - 85 Vw Cabby - 84 VW Scirocco - 69 Beetle (Phantasm Bug) - 78 Cabriolet Need a VW website built? PM me.

Back to top Hammarlund
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Joined: June 15, 2009
Posts: 1539
Location: Central Texas

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:13 pm   Post subject:
Quote: Idle circuit out of adjustment, or vacuum leak. I agree. Since the carb has been troubleshot with replacement, and the exact same results were obtained, it might be best to look elsewhere right now. Quote: The timing light stays flashing right up to the end. This rules out most of the common electrical problems, also. If you haven't tried to adjust the carb yet, run the carb set-up procedure from the link Wabbit gave you. But I'll bet you've already tried this and that maladjustment isn't the problem. Check for vacuum leaks next. If I read your post correctly you have a single port engine, which rules out boot problems. In that case, look for leaks where the carb mounts on the manifold and at each port. I notice the engine was just rebuilt, and when the manifold is put on it is easy to mess up the brass ring compression fittings. Do you smell gas on the dipstick? If so, the fuel pump may be failing. Crud/water in the gas tank might also be causing this. As a last resort, try looking to see if there is condensation forming on the carb/manifold. If none of these suggestions pans out, come on back and tell us, we'll try again.

Back to top 83_WabbitGTI
Samba Member

Joined: December 01, 2006
Posts: 1335
Location: Eagle Point, Oregon

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:21 pm   Post subject:
Oops... My bad... He did say single port huh? Oh well... Good tip for anyone with a DP motor having similar issues. _________________ 2013-2014 Vice President of SOVW www.sovw.org "No matter how a VW breaks down.... You can always make it home on Zipties, Ducktape, and JB Weld...." -Doug Christen, VW Owner 83 Rabbit GTI - 83 Rabbit LS Custom - 63 Westy - 65 Bug - 64 Baja (Herbie's Studly Cousin) - 91 Audi 90 Quattro 20v - 85 Vw Cabby - 84 VW Scirocco - 69 Beetle (Phantasm Bug) - 78 Cabriolet Need a VW website built? PM me.

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