Single carb and AC.
Thank you Rich!
Ya, single carb and AC, recipe for disaster.
mechanic told me that the fan belt was flipped over wrong. didn't seem sure why.
honestly i have barely used the AC. paid extra money for it thinking it would be a delight to have on especially hot days in LA with girls in the car but when i turn it on i can feel a definite difference in how the engine is running so i have forced the girls to suffer instead. i hope that no one else bothers with putting an AC from vintage in their cars. it's not even really useable. total waste.
With a bigger motor (2 liter or more) the power draw of the AC isn't nearly as noticeable. I've never had AC in an aircooled car, this is what I've heard from others on the Samba.
Annaliese, do you ever sleep?
Originally Posted by Rich Drewek:
Aren't the teeth of the fan belt in the wrong orientation?
Yes, they are, from what I can see.
I mentioned this before, but this whole story seems like fiction. Not that I'm doubting it all has happened, but just a comedy of errors.
I'm not a big sleeper.
Any particular reason why the single carb and the AC are a recipe for disaster?
I think it's safe to assume that Kirk is well aware of this thread, or any reference to Vintage in these posts. He's being wise to maintain a one to one response directly with the buyer to rectify any problems instead of leaving himself vulnerable to a 'damned if I do, and damned if I don't' interaction with the entire SOC/Vintage owners community.
Originally Posted by Annaliese:
Any particular reason why the single carb and the AC are a recipe for disaster?
Single carb. VW's tend to already be underpowered as they are usually a pretty small cc to begin with. So when you flip the switch for the AC the engine has to work much harder to run the compressor (that silver thing on the left that the fan belt goes around).
This (as you noticed) will cause the engine to:
A) work harder
B) lose a ton of power.
A dual carb. set up will give the engine a little more power which will help when using the AC.
Yes, your fan belt is flipped upside down. This can happen for a few reasons.
A) Belt has stretched or is too big
B) The pulley's are not aligned (Crank & Alternator)
C) There is not enough tension on the belt (see A)
As far as the car cranking but not starting, it's one of three things:
A) Spark (timing included)
B) Fuel (starved)
C) Oxygen (starved) <--- least probable
Take your car back. Note the mileage (write it down). Tell Kirk when he is finished to drive the car (drive it home.. whatever). I would tell him you will take delivery of the car after it's fixed and he has put at least 50 miles on it himself.
Kirks a good guy but this needs to be put right. Me being stranded is fun (I think of it like an adventure). You being stranded is likely not the case.
Annaliese, I'm guessing you have a 1600cc engine, correct? Not enough power for one thing, too much stress on a small air-cooled engine will probably equate to a short engine life. As you have noted, A/C "sounded" like a good idea, but in reality, it's not a good idea. I think most mechanics would recommend against it if given the alternative.
Sleep, it's highly over rated as one gets older.
Thinking out loud here:
Maybe it's single carb. due to the request for AC ?
I'm not familiar with AC set ups on VW aircooled engines but it's possible that the AC compressor location limits the duel carb set-up as it's in the way?
Originally Posted by carlberry:
I think it's safe to assume that Kirk is well aware of this thread, or any reference to Vintage in these posts. He's being wise to maintain a one to one response directly with the buyer to rectify any problems instead of leaving himself vulnerable to a 'damned if I do, and damned if I don't' interaction with the entire SOC/Vintage owners community.
Agreed, but unfortunately this saga has gone far beyond a one to one response. The prudent response would be to sort this car out, and get this young lady on her way.
What is with that dumb-a$$ air cleaner setup?
Originally Posted by Ron O:
What is with that dumb-a$$ air cleaner setup?
That was my question that I was about to ask. That looks ghetto as hell. Flex pipe with a cone filter attached to the fan housing? Plus it seems to be crushed just by the carb as well......
There are ways to go AC on dual carbs as it fits on the opposite side of the alternator between the intake. But there is no doubt a higher cost attached to this. That belt looks like it's twisted, probably too loose.
My advice is the same as indetrucks (skateboarder?) let him keep the car a few days and have him drive it until everything has been sorted out.
At the rate of odd stuff going on with this car, we'll soon find out that that the flex pipe leads to an intercooler and this car is turbo charged as well! Strange stuff here.
lose the AC and tell Kirk you want a new 1915cc motor installed 
Originally Posted byflatfourfan:
My advice is the same as indetrucks (skateboarder?) let him keep the car a few days and have him drive it until everything has been sorted out.
Correct! Didn't think ya old farts would figure it out 
Everyone usually thinks I drive a big rig or something... haha
Back in my hayday I was sponsored by Independent Trucks. Just used that screen name ever since. 
Originally Posted by TUB4STU:
lose the AC and tell Kirk you want a new 1915cc motor installed
This ^^
New fan belts do indeed have ribs on the outside - guess for added flex. Check out
Dayco Top Cog Gold Label V-Belt.
Ya but...do they place them on the side too? Me thinks not.
Originally Posted by Rich Drewek:
Just so everyone doesn't have to stand on their head to see these photos.
That belt is clearly twisted...
That Dayco belt doesn't look like a VW (air-cooled) application. I agree that this belt appears to be "inside-out". It appears to be a wedged shaped belt which is consistent with the angles of the assembled pulley. A second look tells me there are no visible markings (alpha-numeric), which is curious.
You guys crack me up.....can I get another Mojito, & some nuts...
Hadn't seen picture - yup, that one is on its side for sure. Either too tight or too loose.
Originally Posted by Cuzn Vinny:
You guys crack me up.....can I get another Mojito, & some nuts...
I got some nuts for ya ?
The engine is a 1915 cc engine. Kirk wrote me back earlier and told me the reason for the single carb is to make room for the AC.
*sigh*
Mine had a 2110 Dual Carb with AC...
Gerdddd is such a show off....
Scro, from VS?
I also wish Kirk would reply here and address the single carb at least now that others are reporting that dual carbs do coexist with AC.
Welp... I'm bowing out of this thread.
Spectator from here on out.
GL Annaliese, I'm sure Kirk will make right anything that is wrong.
I have also met him and have full confidence in his work.
yeah i've met him too. he's a pleasant person.
TA, do not expect Kirk to come on this board & get into a pissing contest with this group. Deal with him at his place of business like it should be done....
this is not high school, where everyone circles the combatants....
you guys are a bunch of children....
by no means do i think kirk should come to the board to be attacked or to defend himself but a discussion about the lack of second carb could be productive. i am going to send the car back to him and he is going to 'fix' the engine and a second carb is not going to be added and my engine knowledge is too limited for me to be able to effectively advocate for the addition of the second carb. that is all.