Hi Anyone, I have lost my thread on this forum for a problem with my 1974 vw microbus conversion, I am new to this forum! Problems 1 both of my carburettors are leaking fuel, this has happened since starting the van up after the winter and the fuel leaks after the engine has stopped. This has happened once before on our trip to Cornwall , an the AA man lifted the top pf the carburettor off , blew the inlet and then it run perfectly for the rest of the holiday. 2 The second problem which may be linked to the 1st is that when the engine warms the van stalls when coming to junction and I have to pump the accelerator to prevent this. 3 The van always has a strong smell of fuel despite the fact that I have sent it to a vw expert to look at the fuel and had a complete engine over all. ( expensive). The above 3 problems give me the jitters. I don't like driving the van with fuel leaks. I feel I need to learn how to maintain this vehicle but I am coming from a low experience and knowledge base. So I am considering removing the carburetors and cleaning the inlets/jets or sending them to be cleaned. If the carburettors are out what should I service and what gaskets and seals do I need? Now Mike gave some advice and another person but I can't find that thread. thanks Darron darron smith, 9
Please get this sorted before we have another engine fire to add to the catalogue of woe. 1. Leaking fuel after it’s stopped points to the possibilty of your float valves being set badly or having disintegrated. I put a new one in last year and the ball and spring fell out so it didn’t cut off. (It was in an E*PI rebuild kit BTW). 2.stalling at junctions may be the idle cut off solenoid wire dropped off. Check all the wires and see if the solenoids click when disconnected and power on. They can fail internally but the wire seems to drop off more often. 3.another popular cause of fuel smell is a faulty choke unit, and of course the biggy is disitegrating fuel lines and breathers. Hope that’s enough to get you started. BTW why are you Darron Smith, 9. Are you one of our younger forum members?
Thank you Andy, The fuel leak has stopped now , I assume this was after I let the evil spirits out of the engine bay when I opened the hatch. As I have not been able to make head or tail of the problem I have been reading about my Solex 32-34 PDSIT -2 and 3 as I seem to have a slightly different carburettor on the left than the right. I have realised that there may be a number of different reasons for my problem. I don't now where the 9 came from, may be there is a software programme built into this forum that predicts my problem solving age
You’ve noted the difference OK. The left hand carb is two separate devices. There’s a little carb which handles the running at idle and is piped into both sides of the engine. So when the solenoid cuts out it won’t idle. This isn’t a fuel solenoid, but an air valve. The inlet is a small brass pipe on top which connects via some piping and rubber elbows to the air filter. I don’t think the fuel smell will come from this though.
The fuel issue will come back if you don't fix it. Make sure your floats are perfectly free in movement. Also check floats are attached to metal bracket securely. Quite a common issue with these carbs. Other than that it could be your needle valves are no good. The aftermarket ones are awful quality and more prone to leaking than the originals.
I always smell fuel for a short while after filling her up. No leaking or anything and only when I sniff neR the slats where the breather pipes are. It goes off after a day or so. All fuel plpes and fuel tank are new and as I say no leaks. Is this just vapour?
N This isnt right. On mine it smelt more on the right hand side. Turned out to be tiny splits in the rubber elbow at the very top of the fuel filler behind the cap. New pipework can leak if the hoses are not on perfectly and clamps not on properly. Breather pipes can pop off. It needs checking.
Overall this sounds like you have dirt in the float valves or they are worn. The fact the AA man could fix it by blowing through the valve says dirt. The cutting off when warmed up is also possibly dirt in the idle jet. At least these stock carburettors are fully documented in the Bentley Volkswagen service manual.
Last year I had this when touring Scotland. As with you it went off after a few miles, so I was topping up 30 litres max and the smell stopped. Back home, I pulled the firewall off and found one of the breather hoses (newly fitted) had detached.
Hi Patrick Can checking the float and float valve be done with or without removing the carburettor? Thanks Darron
Thanks Pony There is a black plastic pipe that seems to connect lower down the unit and a fuel line type green pipe that attaches to nothing . Now there is a pipe that looks similar in texture but black ?oil stain but this has been blocked off by a house screw!. These two pipes start together at the base of the right arm air housing. I think I need to work harder to find my Haynes manual or find another one. thanks again Darron
Thanks Mike So 2 things, 1 carburettor in or out to check float valves and idle jet? 2 Bentley volkswagon service manual is it on line ? My camper is in the yard, but I still make a cup of tea in it , it like being on holiday, sort of Darron
