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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 11, 2013 12:10:26 GMT -5
Since I got my gt2, I've been working on it non stop most of the summer, I've run all new brake lines with lots of problems, ended up replacling the master cylinder, replaced all fuel lines, oil change, new carb, plugs, wires, seals... I had a little too much oil in it, I knew that, but it's not driving yet, I had it running so good for the first time in about 15 years... But it's been bothering me, so I figured I would drain about half a quart. We just had a storm last week, lightning, thunder and it dumped rain... Right into my carb, so when I pulled the plug, over a quart of water came rushing out followed by chocolate milkshake. All that hard work, new parts, sweat, blood, yes, I hurt myself many times already, and a pretty allergic reastion to brake fluid I think.... I was devistated =(
I drained the oil, got enough fresh oil and filters to flush the system... AND IT WOULDN'T START! The car hates me, I know it. Pulled the new plugs, wiped them off, put them back, still no spark. Coil? So I broke out my test light and hit it like I'm timing it, nothing. Now it's not timed, the ight won' go out, but goes dim, another short somewhere, wonderful. I spent hours last night tracing wires, and found a brown one under the dash with electrical tape on it, nd the car fired right up....YES! YOU B!TCH, I AM MORE PERSISTANT,AND I WILL GET MY WAY!
Oil change is done, brakes finally work, Today, it gets a test drive... Some one was right. It has Gremilins. |
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 11, 2013 13:47:07 GMT -5
At least its breaking down at home. Wait until it regularly starts breaking down on the road!
Many of the original builders of these cars (yes..they are cars...not models) shouldn't have been building skateboards never mind building cars.
Of the 10 abandoned kits I have built over the years I replaced every single shred of wiring, suspension, fuel system and brakes on. The one I didn't do was because someone wanted it so bad the way it was. I have never, ever, attempted to "fix" someone's prior hack job. I guess I just don't like playing games I will never, ever, win.
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 11, 2013 22:09:19 GMT -5
As true as it is, and I don't disagree, it always comes down to time and $$$. I honestly have so little of both right now. I just spent $31 on a relay switch my normal parts store can't order, and could explaine most of my electrical problems. I could hillbilly this, or I could do it right and that costs. So does bad luck and I'm having a lot of that with this car. But it's not going to beat me. I'm into it for a lot of money now. I'm glad I have good friends, everyone here on this site, and vw people who are hooking me up on things I really can't afford at prices I can.
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 12, 2013 8:25:20 GMT -5
I hate to say it, because I like your attitude, but if you don't have time or money then the Bradley really isn't for you.
You need at least alot of 1 of those two things to own one.
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Post by Big-birds-ride on Sept 12, 2013 9:13:10 GMT -5
I hate to say it, because I like your attitude, but if you don't have time or money then the Bradley really isn't for you. You need at least alot of 1 of those two things to own one. That goes for any kit car project. Not just the Bradley GT. Actually, even non-kit car projects. over the years I have restored several classic chevys, a pontiac sedan delivery, a 72 El Camino and each one took years of work and lots of money to do. |
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 12, 2013 11:41:59 GMT -5
I usually have a lot of money and no time, or a lot of time and no money. My main priority is to get this car back on the road. I've given it more than anyone has in over a decade and I've done 99% of the work. I'm not even sure what that relay does but the origional is 45 years old and probably broken. I sold my Porsche to bring this car back and that's what I'm going to do. I'm getting to know this car really well, inside and out. It's come a long, long way in a month.
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 12, 2013 11:58:21 GMT -5
The only relay I am familiar with is the hi/lo beam relay used on some (but not all) VWs.
Of course the prior owner could have added a whole bunch of relays.
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 12, 2013 23:31:23 GMT -5
This car has all kinds of things. I'm still learning vw, but it does seem to be a relay that is used. When the old one started buzzing, the horn started freaking out. So there's no telling what everything goes to at this point. I haven't had a chance to mess with the electrical. Every time I fix something, I find something else wrong. It may have been cheaper to start with a whole new vw chassis and engine, but I'm determined  |
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 12, 2013 23:38:42 GMT -5
At least its breaking down at home. Wait until it regularly starts breaking down on the road! Many of the original builders of these cars (yes..they are cars...not models) shouldn't have been building skateboards never mind building cars. Of the 10 abandoned kits I have built over the years I replaced every single shred of wiring, suspension, fuel system and brakes on. The one I didn't do was because someone wanted it so bad the way it was. I have never, ever, attempted to "fix" someone's prior hack job. I guess I just don't like playing games I will never, ever, win. This hasn't been on the road since I got it. Too many things slowing me down. I've had to redo several things, no signals, no lights, I thought I had a leaky pushrod tube, I still might, but what's really going on is a leak between the cylinders, burning on the manifold. I'm seriously hoping I can tighten it and not have to pull the engine. I'm not ready for that. |
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 13, 2013 9:10:07 GMT -5
This is the exact reason why I suggest a total re-wire. The string of things not working correctly will be indeed never ending if you just try to fix one thing at a time. It will frustrate you and you will end up selling the car before you can enjoy it.
What does this mean?
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 13, 2013 9:36:43 GMT -5
Oil is burning heat exchanger, my bad.
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 13, 2013 9:45:41 GMT -5
So oil is dripping onto the heat exchanger and smoking while its running?
Likely a simple valve cover gasket leak.
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 13, 2013 10:10:33 GMT -5
Simple without a pull on a twoie? I'm not ready to drop the engine yet. I don't even own a torque wrench  |
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Post by skip20 on Sept 13, 2013 10:34:39 GMT -5
So oil is dripping onto the heat exchanger and smoking while its running? Likely a simple valve cover gasket leak. Or the Oil cooler on top of the engine ( pull engine)!!! Left side. What side is the leak looking at the engine from the rear? |
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 13, 2013 11:40:16 GMT -5
I have found that the oil cooler leaks usually hug the case and drip down more underneath the car than over to the sides near the heat exchangers.
if you have stock valve covers you really don't even need tools! Well maybe a long screwdriver to flip the ball and something to clean the old gasket material off. You might want to check your valves (lash) at the same time.
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 14, 2013 21:26:21 GMT -5
It's not my oil cooler, but those hoses need to be replaced too. It's either a bad gasket between the cylinders, or the block needs to be tightened. Oh no, I've convinced myself I can get it without a engine pull I rewired my headlights today. Getting to know the bottom of this car real well. |
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 20, 2013 14:02:48 GMT -5
I'm still getting water in my oil. I can't find anything online that shows how this is possible or how to fix it. This is going to be my 3RD oil change/ flush and I'm devistated. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? I've been working on this car day and night for almost 2 months now. I've redone most of the wiring, replaced parts, this water problem needs to stop. Can someone give me some advice? I don't know what to look for.
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 20, 2013 14:38:34 GMT -5
Are you sure its water? Has it rained again? Large volums of water really shouldn't be getting into your motor. Especially on a single carb engine.
Could it be fuel coming in from a leaking diaphram in the pump?
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 20, 2013 15:27:34 GMT -5
It's a pretty new Solex carb. It works perfect. Yes, it rained again. Is it gas? I'm doubtful. It didn't feel or smell like gas, and was the first thing to pour out of my oil plug last time, but I'm not going to taste it to find out. I just don't know how it can happen. Say that it is gas, then what?
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 20, 2013 16:49:01 GMT -5
Well lets get some facts first.
1. How much water was in it? How could you tell? Via the dipstick? Did the same amount drain out each and every time?
2. Do you have an air cleaner on top of the carb?
3. When you drained it was the fluid you think to be pretty clear or was it really kinda muddy?
4. How long does it take each time between oil changes to get water in it? Does it rain each time?
You can test for gas by disconnecting the line from the tank to the fuel pump and letting it sit for the number of days it normally takes to get fluid in it and see if it is still filling up.
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 21, 2013 12:16:21 GMT -5
Well lets get some facts first. 1. How much water was in it? How could you tell? Via the dipstick? Did the same amount drain out each and every time? 2. Do you have an air cleaner on top of the carb? 3. When you drained it was the fluid you think to be pretty clear or was it really kinda muddy? 4. How long does it take each time between oil changes to get water in it? Does it rain each time? You can test for gas by disconnecting the line from the tank to the fuel pump and letting it sit for the number of days it normally takes to get fluid in it and see if it is still filling up. Well, I'm going to say there was quite a bit of clear fluid last time I did the change, not saying it's water now, because I really don't see it beading. But it doesn't smell like gas either. When I drained the oriional oil, after I first got it running, it was 15 year old crude. Nasty dark old oil, so whatever this is is a new problem. If it's not water, it's gas, that means my fuel pump seal, not the whole pump, right? It pumps fuel just fine. And, it has rained since then. Right now, the oil is this milky caramel color, not what I put in. Maybe I should switch to an elecrtic pump, the pump I have doesn't seem too eco friendly. |
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Post by jspbtown on Sept 21, 2013 16:43:12 GMT -5
Electric pumps are much more involved then you might think. You need a low pressure one (1.5-3lbs or so). If you can't find one you need a regulator to keep the pressures down. You should also wire it into the oil pressure sending unit so it doesn't continue to run on in case of an accident.
A new mechanical pump is like $20 and it is held on by 2 nuts.
Could there have been extra moisture in the engine from the first time? After you got water in did you change the oil and run the engine up to operating temperature to burn off any water that was not in the bottom of the engine?
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Post by skarekr0w on Sept 21, 2013 18:55:57 GMT -5
Assuming it was water, yes. I did research and a detailed job. But the clear fluid still has not beaded from the last oil change. I think you nailed it when you said gas. I've seen oil after a blown head gasket on a Pontiac, and this doesnt look like that. At the time I didn't now gas could even do this. I'm going to try a new pump and stand. Hopefully, that will do it. I can't even comprehend how many times I've had to redo everything. Poor car!
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