Retrovans 75 Fleetline panelvan - Project

[retrovan]

Your finger too

That finger was deep into the 'innards' not too long before that pic !!!

Wittness to it !!

Haans

You promised you would not tell ......

Herman

[retrovan]

As the Fleetline has been standing for near the full carona period, I decided to take here for a 500Km trip to Port Alfred.

Now knowing I did a oil change during the standing in the garage, I knew the oil level is perfect so did not even bother to check it.

Nearing Nanaga farm store, I noticed a bit of smoke out the back.

After filling with fuel, I opened the back and found the whole engine compartment full of oil.

The dipstick told its sad story...

During the standing, the fuel has drained into the sump.......

Now I know you guys are going to say, "but Herman, you always tel us to fit fuel shut off valves, Where is yours ..."

Must confess, have them on most of my Aircooleds, but did not get round to the Fleetline,

Anyway coming back to the trip, I drained the sump, into a bowl, and refilled it from a Shell 5 lt oil I carry in all my cars.

Getting to Port Alfred with not more issues, I power cleaned the engine compartment and let it dry over night.

To prevent fuel again getting to the sump, I clamped the fuel pipe overnight with a vice grip, just to make sure.

The next morning I started her up and after revving at 3500 RPM for a minute or so, I noticed the oil is coming from the gaskets under the fuel pump as well as the gennie tower.

Nipped them down with a 13 spanner and drove home with out any problems.

She is now standing in the garage.... with a vice gripe on the fuel pipe waiting for me to get a shut off valve and fit it.

Note to self ......" get a few spare just in case ..."

Herman

[AlanH]

Sorry to hear that. Hope there was no damage done.
I still have a cut off valve lying brand new in my box of tricks and will definitely fit that to my Westy.
Thanks for the heads up.

[Tony Z]

sounds like the needle valves are dead - these should prevent fuel flowing into the carbs when the bowls are full

[retrovan]

sounds like the needle valves are dead ...

You right Tony,

The problem we have with these "Self Cleaning Fuels" are that they are more sticky then the old fuels and with a needle and seat sitting for some time it gets sticky and as the fuel evaporates, opens a crack, but can not close, this will allow small amounts of fuel into the carb, and over time it adds up inside the sump.

With a shut off valve it stops the fuel, and when running again the fuel cleans the needle and seat and it works right again till next time.

This is not a problem when you drive as the seat stays clean and in most cars they now have fuel injection so thats not a problem ether.

Will stay safe, and fit me a shut off valve as soon as I can get one.

Herman

[73type2]

Herman, could you give more detail on the shut off valve? Is it like an in-line fuel tap that's typically used on older motorcycles?

[retrovan]

Hi

No, its a normally closed solenoid valve which opens when you apply 12 volt to it when you switch on your ignition

ie, you take power from your coil.

You get them from Car alarm places, they use them to shut off fuel flow when the car alarm is triggered. making the car engine stop.



Thanks Haans for the photo...

Herman

PS. they stop fuel flow when you have a engine fire and you have shut down the ignition. making it easy to put out the fire.

[73type2]

Thanks, Herman.

[retrovan]

Just a short note,

Have finally got me a few more shut-off valves, and fitted one to the Fleetline.

Tested it and its working well.

Had the vice grip on the pipe till now, and checked the oil for fuel, and found none.

So we will make sure before we drive off the next time that there is still no fuel in the oil.

Thanks

Herman

[retrovan]

Walking through the workshop into the back garage I noticed the Fleetline all dusty and feeling unloved as she has not spun her wheels for near 8 months.

So I jumped in and took off down the road, she always runs so nice with plenty gusto.

Decides to take a 80Km round trip just to get the oil over 100 deg. C to burn off any water, should some have accumulated.

On the turn-around bridge, I slowed down, and heard a winning noise, hit the gas and noticed the noise is not proportional to the revs, so it must be in the Alternator/fan.

Now what do I do, I let her ideal and looked into the engine bay, yes, the belt was taking strain.

So I decided, lets not push our luck, by having to strip the fan in the street,

but go home at low rev's hoping the bearings and belt hold up, and we do not loose cooling.

Stayed under 2000 rpm all the way home and parked the bus to cool.

This morning we opened the hatch, and had a look.

The alternator was completely loose, and the fan was rubbing on the housing.

Removed the belt and stuck my hand around the back into the fan,

and to my surprise, found a chunk of foam had been dislodged from the battery strap,

and got sucked into the fan, making it unbalanced.

This had started the vibration which rattled the mounting strap bolt loose.

Pulled all parts into their right place and bolted the strap down again, fan spins free and without noise.

We started her and all is good in the back of the Fleetline once more.

Was glade it was not a bigger issue.

Well here are a few photo's on the way out, did not take any on the way back as I was waiting for her to stop.

But like always she brought me back home safe and sound.

Thanks for looking

Herman

[Haans]

Start of a rats love pad,.....perhaps. It comes from not running our cars!!
G'na start Haans in the morning,..hav'nt started it in 6 weeks now.
Thanks for reminding me Herman
Haans

[retrovan]

Good to hear you on the mend, must say we are much appreciative that my young ones have all made it through this Covid attack on their family.

Stay safe and start your cars, its good fun and good medicine.

Take a sole drive and clear the head, your family will thank you for it.

Herman

[retrovan]

So the Fleetline has her motor back in after lending it to the Hahn for trails till the Hahn motor was rebuilt.

From standing, she had a fuel leak on the electric fuel pump.

With lots of talking in sailor, , removed the pump just to find the fuel pipe had gone hard and the clamp did not seal it anymore.

So the old pipe was removed and a new fuel certified pipe was fitted, and pump refitted.

So now she not only runs as good as before but with out fuel running out the engine bay .....

Herman