[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]

Re: [T3] Various Questions


On 12 Nov 2003 at 11:34, Aaron Clow wrote:

> 1) The top wire to my starter keeps coming off as I
> drive and I noticed there's not much slack in the
> wire. I think I should fix the "no slack" issue before
> I try to bend the paddle clips closed... Is this easy
> to do? The seal where the wire comes out from under
> the rear seat looks like it's totally out. No idea
> what happened.

It's quite possible that the problem is due to the fact that the wire is not 
supported where it come thru the body; without the grommet, the wire is free to 
flop around more and that may be all it needs to pull itself loose. I probably 
have some of those grommets from the cars I've scrapped out, but you'd have to 
tell me the diameter of the hole and the wire so I could find the right one.

> 2) When I start the car after driving, a white plume
> of oil-smelling smoke comes out, then I don't see
> anything else, even after idling for a minute (say, at
> a light) and then taking off. I still have the heavy
> oil in the case. Seems I should be having LESS of a
> problem with oil making its way into the combustion
> chamber with this? Maybe my rings never sealed? Engine
> has been running rich (and thus, probably cooler than
> normal) due to my former problems with the FI relay
> and the air pressure sensor. That is fixed now, but
> maybe it's too late?

It's fairly common for oil to pool in the combustion chamber a bit after shut 
down. This burns off right away when you start up and seldom indicates a 
problem. I WOULD get rid of the excessively heavy oil, especially where you 
live, before cold weather hits with a vengance.

> 3) Found my exhaust leak (car was very loud, thought
> it was normal). When I hooked up the heat cables last
> week I noticed the tube from the heater boxes to the
> exhaust had pretty much rusted through on one side. I
> knew it was going, but it went very fast. I know
> there's a replacement part that you hammer in here
> when you hacksaw off the old one, but damned if I
> can't find it anywhere from the parts shops. Haven't
> called them yet though. Is this the best way to fix
> this problem and anyone know where I can get them?

These were common repair parts for beetles, but our heat exchangers are a 
different size. I have never seen type 3 versions for sale. I have made them, 
however. I could make more, but I only have some solid bar stock to turn them 
out of, so that's a fair amount of work. Let me know if you want 1 or 2 and I 
will try to figure out how much they would cost. They should be welded in place 
once you install them. I've always installed them with the muffler out.

> 4) Last question. Winterizing. If I'm not driving for
> the winter, should I put 5Wsomething in the car, cover
> it up with a breathable cover & start it every week or
> so? Fuel stabilizer? any other tips?

Just make sure the tires are up to pressure and park it. Maybe do a fresh oil 
change first, using whatever oil you would plan to use when you get it out in 
the spring. I would remove the battery and not try to start it periodically, 
because in cold weather that is just more likely to leave condensation in the 
engine and exhaust system.  

-- 
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054
USA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List info at http://www.vwtype3.org/list | mailto:gregm@vwtype3.org


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]