I finally got around to getting some more work done on the bus today. A little vacation, a little work, a little watching Breaking Bad… today I put all that aside and set about getting the bus drivable!
I began by just starting up the engine to make sure this thing still runs – it doesn’t. Well it starts up, but won’t idle at all. I have to keep my foot on the gas, and continually increase the throttle. Not good! I don’t know why this would happen, it was running fine before, I haven’t changed anything, I don’t know what I’m doing, I’m tired of nothing ever working out – those were the thoughts running through my head – but I tried to stay positive! I decided first and foremost to do another little mini-tune up. I checked the static timing – it was fine – and I checked the valves again. They were all pretty loose, so maybe I didn’t adjust them correctly last time. Ok valves all set, timing is right, battery charger hooked up – engine still can’t idle. Now I’m pissed – I throw a really great tantrum all by myself in the garage, and eventually start banging various spots around the engine with my wrench. Stupid bus, if it wants to act this way, I’ll just hit it… repeatedly! Thats when I noticed that this thing on the right side of the carburetor was loose, and the three screws holding it in place had almost fallen out. A little bit of googling learned me that this thing is the automatic choke, and when not adjusted correctly can screw up the fuel-air mixture running into the engine. I found this site with adjustment instructions, and I was back in business!
With the automatic choke properly adjusted and tightened, the engine sounds better, and idles just fine – Success! Now I can move on to figuring out why the battery won’t charge. In my last post, I mentioned that I needed a new voltage regulator – well the shop I ordered it from in California never shipped it. I was frustrated for a bit, but then realized I can get exactly what I need from NAPA – with no shipping – lesson learned, I will always check Autozone and NAPA for parts instead of just assuming that I need some special ordered thing! I also bought a new battery from NAPA – and made a few trips for wire connectors and carb cleaner – yeah so they saw me a few times today.
I removed the old voltage regulator, replaced the corroded connections, cleaned the battery cable connectors, and thoroughly sprayed the inside of the generator with electrical contact cleaner. Hooked everything back up including new battery, polarized the regulator by almost shocking myself, and started the engine – indicator light still on! I’m pissed, throw another decent tantrum, go inside to tell Noelle that we are screwed and the project is a failure, watch another episode of Breaking Bad, then go back out to the garage. Start up the engine again, but this time I rev it high and loud – the light instantly goes out! I leave the bus in idle and go back to check the battery with the multi-meter (I know how to use it now – wires were backwards last time…oops) the battery seems to be charging. Success!
I now have a fully functioning VW bus – turn signals work, brakes and brake lights work, headlights work, tires are in good shape, battery is brand new and charges, and the engine starts right up and runs until I tell it not to. I’m totally stoked, and maybe – just maybe – I’ll be driving this thing around town soon, better watch out!
