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Anyone have a recommendation for a Pinz mechanic in Seattle or northwest Washington?

I lived in Suquamish for almost two years...no mechanics anywhere around. Had a great one for my MB but I was on my own for pinz stuff.
You may be able to find someone that understands air cooled VW engines, good luck with that. I met several pinz owners up there but no one knew of a mechanic.
What is your issue and why do you feel you need a mechanic?

Morris

Jut bought a 710 -- ran for the first week but now won't start. Cranks but won't turn over. Has spark. Seems to have fuel. Tried starter fluid in the air filter with no luck. I'm not a mechanic (I only play one on TV). Thinking of taking it to a vintage VW shop.

Bwolff,

That's a depressing story. I agree with Morris, that a decent VW mechanic will likely be able to help you best. He'll probably have fun working on it, just because it's something different.

Your comment rings a bell with another recent post. Somebody had similar symptoms, crank and no start even w/ fuel. IIRC, the ignition swicth was flaky, and even though the start fired, the ignition was not 'on'. They noticed that the dash lights weren't on when they tried to start it, and by fiddling with the switch were able to start the truck.

Of course, your problem is probably something else entirely!! But that might be something to look at.

Good luck, and don't let this sour you on Pinz's. I imagine you're going to be learning a little mechanics along the way. But once you get this problem fixed, I expect you'll grow to love your Pinz like the rest of us do ours.

Paul

bwolff,

If you don't yet have a maintenance manual...order one, the sponsor is good for that product. Even if you just look at the pictures it will be time well spent.

Checking electrical issues is not my favorite either. Check the wiring at the radio resistor, the ignition switch, etc. Most of us have had this issue non-starting and the answer was different for each pinz, unfortunately there is no universal truth.

As Paul mentions, that switch is often the culprit, but this is a 30+ year old vehicle and something has bound to have shaken loose at some point.

I learned much on a Mog and this is just another old vehicle with issues that I keep learning.
With no professional backup you may be able to get a lot of information here. Lots of folks will help out, especially if you can post your procedure as you track the problem. But give them time to answer as this is a hobby for most and not their full time job.

Cheers,
Morris
73 710M

There are two posibilites, timing or lack of gas.

Do two simple tests: Take the whole engine cover, yes remove the seats first.

Look at the distributor and try to turn it around (we are checking for a loose distributor that could have go off timing) If it is solid and don't move at all leave it like that. IF it moves then try to crank it and turn the distributor back and forth until it starts. When you do start it, tight the distributor and take it to the shop for a tune up.

If the distributor did not move then you need to do the following:

Take off the carburetor's top metal cover which brings the air from the filter. Try to crank it and smell for gas on it. If there is no gas, use again your starter fluid but this time directly on the carburetors.

If it doesn't start, then I am clueless, since timing, spark and gas are apparently ok.

Carlos.

bwolff wrote:...... I'm not a mechanic (I only play one on TV). Thinking of taking it to a vintage VW shop.

The last comment is the best. Not knowing what you are doing could end up costing you more to have a mechanic having to troubleshoot problems you may have created, plus the original problem.

But if you are determined to do it yourself, you need to give details of what is happening when you attempt to start it. .... when the starter button is pressed , did it try to start? or did the engine just spin?.....has the weather changed? if it is cold and wet, condensation might have formed inside the distributor. When you turn the key on, do you hear the click of the carbs' cutoff solenoids opening? .... these are just a few of the steps and questions you should be going through. Heck, it could be as simple as you ran out of gas.

Trying to diagnose a starting problem without saying what's happening, is like not feeling well and your friend tell you that you have a heart problem, when in reality all it was was heartburn from a 10 alarm chili.

Gas engines need 3 things to run, air, fuel and spark. Without any one of them, they won't run, and in the wrong amount, or at the wrong time, they may run, but doing damage to the engine at the same time.
Mechanics like Jim and Dennis love "do it yourselfers" that take a minor problem and turn it into an engine rebuild.

Bwolff,
This would be a good thread for you to restart in the engine section with the subject of " Starting issues", and list the symptoms of your problems, and hopefully we can troubleshoot, diagnose and solve logically without a " shotgun" approach to repairs.

I'd check the right rear tire pressure.


Is kiwipinz not a pinz owner any more?

Now THAT's what I'm talking about,,, troubleshooting in a clear, logical order!
With any of Erik's problems, you start with getting rid of the loose screw behind the wheel, which takes care of the problem....unfortunatey, he finds his way back!

I had an excelent old volvo mechanic in Woodinville, Alan at Metric Motors. Haven't spoken to him to see if he would be interested in doing Pinz work but hey, it can't hurt to ask. 483-5208. Let us know if he can help.

Jim M.

top off the turn signal fluid, then wash with warm water.

Also might check the anti freeze level in the radiator.


Bwolff, I'm not poking fun at you just poking fun. It sounds like timing as you tried starter fluid with no luck. Would not recommend using starter fluid on the pinz.

bwolff:
I found a mechanic who has rebuilt many unimogs (used to have a business doing only that), and has worked on 5 or 6 pinzgauers as well. He's the closest thing to an experienced pinzgauer mechanich I've found here so far.
Maybe someone on the forums has further info on him. I've spoken to him on the phone, he seems to know his subject, and has offered to look at my problem to see if he can help me.
I'm having him do some work on mine next week.
He is:
John VanHorn,
Monroe, WA
360-794-1001

*Zombie thread alert*

Any updates on good Seattle Area mechanics?

How was the experience with John VanHorn?

I'm just proactively trying to identify who I should know if the need arises


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