[T3] Oil Leak and Backfire

[Brion Sabbatino]

Since the previous owner had run the car before parking it for six years, I cleaned the tank, fuel lines, changed the oil, and started it. I did not set the valves ( I should have). I wanted to see what I was dealing with.

I only ran it about one mile before discovering the leak and in ability to adjust the left side carburetor. I then parked it until I could dive into the causes. 

Seems I am always anxious to see if a new one will just turn over and run. Never have seen a push rod like this before. The rod was straight, another shocker. I was certain it had to be bent.

Brion S
S. Utah

> From: jadney at vwtype3.org
> 
> > I got my Solex duel carburetor Squareback running a few months ago. It
> > had a constant misfire coming from the left bank carburetor. The
> > number 4 cylinder pushrod tube gasket also leaked badly. Work got in
> > the way and I let the car set. No matter what I did to adjust the
> > carburetors, that left side still back fired. And then there was the
> > oil leak. So, I gathered up the repair parts to (new seals) to
> > reinstall the push rod tube correctly. Figured the misfire was a tight
> > valve. So with the engine in the car I removed the coil, generator,
> > carburetor, intake, and sheet metal. Then I removed the valve cover
> > and discovered this. 
> > 
> > http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=992166 
> 
> Does this mean that you never tried to adjust the valves before 
> taking this all apart? I would have thought that any attempt, 
> including the one the rebuilder did, to adjust the valves would have 
> uncovered this.  
> 
> Check that pushrod to make sure it isn't bent. Roll them on a flat 
> table to check them.
> 
> > I am confident it will run like a champ once I put it all back
> > together, adjust the valves, and sync the carburetors. 
> 
> Sounds pretty likely.  ;-)
> 
> > After witnessing this I know why we perform our own repairs and
> > restoration. 
> 
> You betcha!
> 
> -- 
> *******************************
> Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
> Madison, Wisconsin, USA
> *******************************
> 
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