sudden loss of power????

dbnbde · Post by **dbnbde** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 8:48 pm

Ok, so I drove home from school the other night, and for the short drive that it is (3 miles) the bus seemed to do fined. Then 1 hr later, hop on the interstate to head to work, I was floored doing 50mph, and it sounded a little funny. It was the sound of the exhaust that sounded more like a 2 stroke all wrapped up in rpm's. Any ideas? I haven't checked the points or timing in about 6k, so that might be it, and will check it tomorrow, but just curious about any other ideas. I don't hear any knocking in the engine. I have the pancake w/ dual solex carbs. Thanks,Eric

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ex owner of 82 BMW 633csi

75 vw bus (in project)
97GMC Sonoma ext. cab, 2wd, sprt side bed, vortec eng. all options, fully customized for show and performance. For sale
hoping by end of week 70 bug

mnsKmobi · Post by **mnsKmobi** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:21 pm

With the sort of huge loss of power you have described, you might be running on 3 cylinders. It happened to me when a spark plug lead came loose.

So first check the leads for obvious problems. If OK, try removing them one at a time with the engine running. You will need to use a cloth to hold the lead or it will earth via you! If removing one of the leads makes no difference you've found the cylinder with the problem.

dbnbde · Post by **dbnbde** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 5:40 pm

Ok, so I checked everything. My R. Carb body was a little loose at the Auto Choke area, so I took the Auto choke cap off, and tightened the screw in there. That brought that part of the body back up, so I had to readjust my throttle linkage arm so that it would open even with the L. Carb. I decided to pull the cables 1@a time, and neither of my left 2 cylindars made a diff in idle. What are your ideas. The bus seems to be running better, but still not perfect. Kind of has that funny exhaust sound still, but not as bad. Ideas???

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ex owner of 82 BMW 633csi

75 vw bus (in project)
97GMC Sonoma ext. cab, 2wd, sprt side bed, vortec eng. all options, fully customized for show and performance. For sale
hoping by end of week 70 bug

unclejohns78 · Post by **unclejohns78** » Mon Mar 18, 2002 12:45 pm

I had the same trouble with my old engine, and it turned out to be a dropped valve seat on the #3 cylinder. I was able to pull the plug wire off that cylinder and it wouldn't make a difference, also, the intake manifold was extremely hot to the touch on that cylinder. Make sure all of your cylinders are firing, check the distributor for anything funky, take the valve covers off and make sure a rocker arm hasn't come loose. What year bus is it, running a cat? Could possibly have a problem there. Any strange rattles coming from the engine? Put it in a garage or stick your head down there and listen while reving the engine. You should be able to hear any funny noises, and chances are, it's something really simple.
Good luck, check the obvious things first!

Brent

dbnbde · Post by **dbnbde** » Wed Mar 20, 2002 12:42 pm

Thanks UNCLE, I have a feeling that is what my problem is going to be. I just came home from my home town where it was nice and sunny, to inches of snow here, so time to clear the garage out. I have a pressure gauge now, so we will see what that has to say for me in a bit. Hopefully not too much bad.
Eric

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70 SLAMMED bug, finally, yeah!!!
75 vw bus (in project)anyone have a body, will shorten my project from 5 yrs to 2!
97GMC Sonoma ext. cab, 2wd, sprt side bed, vortec eng. all options, fully customized for show and performance. For sale going strictly european
ex owner of 82 BMW 633csi :*(