Question about stalling

Had the oil changed and valves adjusted. Car was running perfectly prior to this. Since I got it back, it keeps stalling when in idle. It's as if the idle is too low if that makes any sense. Even when it doesn't stall, it sounds and feels like it's struggling to stay running. Is this something I (with minimal tools and zero experience) can adjust or should I take it back to the mechanic?

find out if he knows about air cooled engines, if hes never done it before it could be at your expense. bill

Sounds like you have a vacuum leak. Probably somewhere in the intake system.

Listen for a hissing sound around the carburetor(s) and along the intake manifold(s) and or boots that connect the manifold to the end castings.

Also, look to make sure the vacuum line that leads to the distributor is connected and not cracked but only if you have a vacuum advance distributor.

Not too difficult of a difficult fix

IF nothing was touched on the engine, other than the valve lash, then one or more of your valves is set too tight. Not closing all of the way and leaking a bit. This would cause idle and performance problem along with eventual over heating and valve lip/seat erosion.

If something got knocked about during the engine work, then check for the vacuum lines in and out of the distributor, carb, manifold, etc. for disconnections or even leaks. Same with the intake boots if you running a single carb.

Also check the choke setting and 12 volt connection. mis-adjusted choke plate or a choke that is no longer receiving the 12 volt signal will effect the idle for sure.

It's ALWAYS best to bring the car back to the original fuck-up who did the work on it. No question. If only to get a refund for the labor badly done. Valve lash adjustment is as easy as pie and VITAL for a good running aircooled VW engine. Sounds like you need begin with him, with the work done at this point and work outwards to other possibilities.

Luck ! This kind of stuff is a pain, I know.

TC

Disconnected wire at the idle solenoid (if so equipped)?

K thanks for the responses, looks like I'm heading back to him. He runs an air cooled only VW shop so I'm sure he'll figure it out quickly.

My guess is that the valves are probably OK, but he decided to adjust your timing and retarded it too much.

ah, ha! If you hit "send" like a double click, ya get two, identical posts!

"but he decided to adjust your timing and retarded it too much."

Just felt like throwing it in for free with the valve adjustment ? ! ? !

I had a similar "freebie" happen this week with the Mustang: I carefully chopped out a mickey mouse aftermarket alarm that my Father had put in the car at one point, no need for it, and a shoddy install. While the car was in the shop having the shift points changed, the mechanic reconnected the alarm once again for me and the battery drained down to zip as a result of his "helpful extra."

Ham fisted idiots . . .

Colin, I'm in Ontario and work on Speedsters and Spyders.

And Colin. If you are anywhere near Larry, he is the man to take it to! Trust me on that.

I'm sold. Larry, please email me or give me your contact info.

Never overlook the incredibly obvious like a loose spark plug wire or vacuum leak especially to the distributor (if vac advance).

Most likely issue though is just timing as Gordon pointed out.

angela

Colin - you won't find a better place than Larry J's to take your car. Larry is one of the best in SoCal and definitely worth the drive to his shop.

Awesome Jim, thanks. I've been to this guy Tony in Eagle Rock twice now and I'm thinking he isn't the greatest.

Larry has dialed-in several of the SoCal SOCers' cars with excellent results & happy customers!

Yup. I live 250 miles away from Larry and I took my car to him. My problem was that my idle would wonder all over the place. To keep it from stalling at traffic lights I had to either keep tapping the gas pedal or adjust it up to 1200RPM, which was a little embarrassing. Larry worked his magic on it and it now idles rock steady at 600RPM hot or cold.

Shoot, If I were any where near him I'd bring a car to him!

Cookies too!

angela

Thanks everyone:

Colin, check your email

Angela, Chocolate Chip Cookies ""please""

Could be timing or a spring off the advance cams in the dizzy.. Larry can dial ya in..

What Jim said x2. I took my car there a couple of times to have him done some work.

Eddy