[T3] type 4 2000cc oil pressure and overheating problem

[Jonathan Stiles]

Keith,

In what application is the Type 4 so fragile? In a Type 3? Not in a Type 2
or Porsche application that is for sure.

Type 4 motors are incredibly robust and durable. Their cooling systems are
night and day next to a conventional Type 1 setup, and very similar to the
type 3.

Case-in-point. I had one wacky guy named "J. Dizzle" come into my shop in a
late model Campmobile ('79 if I recall). He had some shifting problems
after driving cross country from New York He was towing a trailer with a
Harley loaded into it. His Campmobile was fully loaded in typical Rainbow
Gathering style.

He had no engine seal, 5 pieces of tin were missing, no heat deflector
plate, multiple exhaust leaks and....(read closely)...he had replaced his
alternator with a Harbor Freight Generator. This is not a joke. The
generator was mounted in the back of the bus behind an acrylic panel and
was running at full power, supplying voltage to a battery charger which was
in turn hooked to the battery.

Completely nuts.

After fixing his separated shifting cage he went merrily on his way.

He made the same trip twice more without changing a thing.

This anecdote isn't to encourage foolishness and he defiantly got lucky.
But Type 4 motors really don't have a overheating problem at all. They just
need to be tuned, just like any other car. They do have pretty wide
margins, so if you are overheating, something is pretty wrong.

In my experience, it usually isn't just one thing. It is usually a perfect
storm of sorts when folks start noticing problems. Most customers will
bring in a Type 4 bus for a "small problem" and discover sometimes dozens
of issues that are contributing the the symptoms. The T4 just runs and runs
and runs. After I fix the issues the most common response it always, "I
never knew these buses had so much power!". Yep, VW designed the motor to
push 2 tons of flat sided beef around. They knew what they were doing. :)

But this is a Type 3 list, so I'll try to keep in learning mode and keep
the focus there. I like this list. Type 3 folks like to get their rigs set
up correctly and honor the brand. And kudos to the atmosphere. It is warm
and inviting with good accurate knowledge and to the point.

Jon

On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 6:39 PM, Keith Park <topnotch at nycap.rr.com> wrote:

> Welcome to the world of the T4!
> Even the slightest of problems will cause them to overheat, you have to
> start by getting and AFR meter on it so you know where your mixture is.
>
>
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