Couldn't start up?

[VW411L]

Hello,

My 411 has been parked up for while. Last week I took it for a run then parked up for another week then tried to restarted up again yeaterday but only running couple minutes and run out of patrol(tank is empty). Today I bought 2 gallons of patrol and filled in but not going to start. Battery is full and motor turning but no fire sound then I have tried to feed some patrol into carburators. It does fired up but only couple minutes.

That meant no patrol come thru to carburators. What should I do now and how? Any suggestion?


Thanks,
VW18

[raygreenwood]

This is common on older cars. In the gas tank, there is a "sock" filter. It strains the fuel before the main filter. It tends to collect rust from the system and sand and grit from underground fuel storage tanks. When you run it dry...the filter packs up...and then the crud drys onto the screen. Luckily on the 411/412...there is a large nut that holds teh pick-up tube into the tank. There is also a drain plug. Drain the tank, pull off the large nut. Then take out the tube with attached sock filter. Cut the sock filter off. They are a useful nuisance. Useful in that they keep the crud out of the main filter. A nuisance in that this will happen to the sock filter again. Its far easier to throw a spare filter into the trunk in a plastic bag and simply replace it in five minutes if it clogs.
Also, check that your fuel pump strainer in the top of the pump is not clogged. Ray

[MGVWfan]

Welcome! Good to have another T4 in NZ on the Forum.

First, the disclaimers. NO OPEN LIGHTS, SPARKS, SMOKING, etc. WHILE TROUBLESHOOTING THE FUEL SYSTEM! DO IT IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA, LIKE OUTDOORS, AWAY FROM SOURCES OF IGNITION. WATCH OUT FOR GAS HEATER PILOT LIGHTS ESPECIALLY! It's no fun incinerating a 411 and watching the fire brigade pour water all over its smoking hulk.

I sure feel better, having written that.

Does the oil smell strongly like gasoline? If so, you may have a fuel pump leaking into the crankcase, which would also explain the no-start condition. Replace the pump!

If not, check for leaks in the lines from the tank aft to the pump (located on the right front corner of the engine), and then into the engine compartment. Fix any leaks you find.

No leaks? Then pull the line going to the carb from the fuel pump, put it in a 1qt or larger container (securely, so it doesn't fly out), pull the green wire from the distributor to the coil to prevent the ignition from firing, and crank the engine over for 5-10 seconds. You should see some gas in the container, like 50cc or so. If you've got gas, you might have a carb problem, maybe sticking float valve(s), and that'll require pulling the carb(s) and fixing the problem. FYI, the pump spec is 5psi max, 400cc/min @3800 rpm engine speed.

If not, you've either got a bad pump or a clogged filter or line somewhere. Carefully pull the fuel line off the pump intake (the line that goes back to the tank), and see if any gas comes it (you should have a good stream coming out by gravity alone). If no gas, reconnect the line to the pump and start backtracking to the tank to see what's clogged. Since it's been sitting, the in-tank strainer may be clogged, or some varnish might be clogging the lines. No way to tell until you run through the procedure.

Let us know what you find.

[Bobnotch]

It's possible that you've sucked the fuel supply line dry, and it's going to take a few tries to re-fill everything back up. I've done that before on a type3, and it took a few minutes before all the lines, the fuel pump and the carb bowls were filled up. Normally just sitting for a week or 2 shouldn't cause the fuel bowls to go dry, so you are probably experiencing fuel boil off (parking the car with a hot engine). The cure might be to come out the next day and start the car, but not let it get hot, and see if it's still holding fuel after a couple of days. If it is, you're good to go. If it's not, then you might want to look at replacing the fuel pump, as it's getting weak and won't hold it's pressure (allowing bleed back to the tank (siphoning)). I hope this helps.

[VW411L]

Thanks guys!

I finally got it started up this morning. Checked every connector of the fuel lines and renew some of the old pipe and pipe clips. Added new battery and did few clicking then fired up sweet. I took it for a ride. It get lots of attention from the traffic because of the noise from the exhaust and it's only two 411 excess in my town.

Cheers

[vwbill]

WOw, great news and congrates!! How did she ride? Any shimmy? How was the shifting? Did you take her up to highway speed? How was the braking? I found that I was amazed how quite it was at 60 with the windows up! You have two 411/412 in your town cruizin now, WOw! I am also amazed how quick the 411/412 is even with moderate shifting! Can you tell us more of your setup? Thanks for the post and enjoy the sweet ride!! bill
p.s.There is a muffler on ebay # 140015442078

[VW411L]

Hello Bill,

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_ ... _id=267055
to see more pics just click on my username for last posted pics.

What a awesome car made by VW? I am being enjoying the comfort suspension, nice gear change, roomy interior and powerful smooth ride. I like the rear fastback window and I feel I am driving a 4 doors Porsche 911 - never been made. I very like the only 1 year design bug eye head lights.

It's need a good service due to been parked up for over seven months. Found brake a bit of jam cause wet winter and regrease all wheel bearings.
Will do these when my next day off.

Last owner has been done a bit customised on it. He respray red with blue pearl in it. He used to added a small turbo charger but the gear box couldn't accept the turbo power and wrecked the original gearbox. Then he took off the turbo replaced with a pair of Dellorto 36 carbs. He also color all the tin ware with metallic green. The engine is 1800cc but he also gave a spare engine that been done up with 2000cc. Added wood sport steering wheel and low profile tyre R15, 50, 205. Old school mags made in England by M.A.G company. In the pics you can see the custom made sausage type of exhaust hanging at the rear with rear apron removed. Sound like WRX Subaru. Moulded with old school rally mud flap- made by stainless steel. That all about it so fast I can think of.

Will keep you posting once I get more work done and new pics taking.

Thanks for interest.

What about you and what model of VW have you got?
I will be interested to hear from you.

Cheers,
Roger