30 seconds to take up drive?

[drmuddle]

Hi, i have a semi auto 1969 1300cc, i've just rebuilt my engine and fitted a brand new cluth servo diaphragm, problem now is when i put the car in gear it takes about 35 seconds for the cluth to engage and take up drive? any ideas?? does the clutch servo need adjusting or the control valve if so which way do i turn it??
Many Thanks...Nick

[drmuddle]

forgot to mention that the atf fluid is circulating fine.

[JOSEPH A. POPEK]

sounds like the vaccum control needs adjusting try turning the screw 2 turns clock wise. you should notice a change . if so go from there.

[jean]

The clutch servo must have a course of 4 cm before adjusting the control valve

Jean

[drmuddle]

Thanks! i turned it clockwise but didnt seem to work? so i tried anticlockwise 2 turns and it works fine. Also since i put the fan housing back on it seems that the fan inside is catching the housing once the generator is tightened to the oil filler pedestal? i've checked that it sits correctly to the heat deflectors but it still catches? any ideas?

[JOSEPH A. POPEK]

check clearence between fan and mounting plate. it should be
about .080 . this is a common problem on after market dog houses.  

[drmuddle]

Thanks, i found that the oil cooler was slightly bent causing the fan housing not to sit correctly. removed, straightened the oil cooler and replaced, all is fine.
Thanks!!

[KevM]

Hi,

Following on from this thread I have the same prblem where 1st gear takes an age to engage. I can see that if I adjust the control valve of the VW semi it should help but I am a bit uncertain about the fact that the rest of the gears seem to be fine but first is slow to pick up.

:?:  If I alter the control valve will the rest of the gears be affected?

This is a recently back on the road car so now it is running I need to start tweaking it to get it  'tuned' and functioning correctly.

Many thanks,

Kevin

[bookwus]

Hiya Kev,

The answer to your question is "yes" and "no", sort of.

Here's the deal.............Adjusting your control valve will "soften" or "sharpen" the shifting action.  When one "softens" the shifting action one also increases the length (or the time it takes) of the shift.  Conversely, when one "sharpens" a shift it becomes much more abrupt.  Does that make sense?

Now, your current problem is that you notice this lag in shifting (your shifting action needs to be "sharpened") when you are at a standstill.  It is happening at the other shift points also, it's just not as noticeable while you are rolling down the road.

So........you need to adjust the shift action so that it feels proper as you shift into Low Range from nuetral.  The others will follow.

By the way, VW estimated that the actual shift action in an (properly adjusted) AutoStick would take just a fraction of a second.  Much faster than our manual cousin.

Mike

1970 AS Bug

[KevM]

Thanks again Mike,

I will make the adjustments today and see what happens. It seemed to be able to engage and pull away in second with a reasonable pick up but 1st either is quick or isn't.


will let you know, it's cold but dry enough to take her out so I am going to put a few miles on it today. One thing I do know is I have got to get the engine tuned up properly so that probably isn't helping.

I am thinking of putting together a page for useful tips, i.e reverse clunks seem to be part of the norm but I read somewhere that first then reverse alleviates this and I have found this works, plus somewhere else i read that a 'normal' clutch could be used instead of the semi one (I need to find this info again somewhere to make sure) this is useful info.

rgds
Kev

[bookwus]

Hiya Kev,

Keep us posted on the clutch business.  And do know that transmission performance in an AutoStick is more closely tied into the "health" of the engine than it is for a manual.  Has to do with all the vacuum hookups.  So.........do make sure your engine is in good tune.

I had not heard od the "first then reverse" approach to shifting into reverse.  I will go out and give that a try tomorrow morning.  I really like getting tips like that.

Have a great holiday season!

Mike

1970 AS Bug

[KevM]

Morning Mike,

think the engage problem may have been partly due to me leaving my hand on the stick.. doh!

but even worse news, had the car back last Sunday after some engine work and yesterday was my first 1 mile plus ride out in it. 2 1/2 miles down the road the engine blew.. there was no oil in it. :cry:

Hopefully just a set of rings, keep your fingers crossed for me.

rgds

Kev