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Beetle stopped running 6 weeks ago and can't get her started again!

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theycallmeswampy Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Jun 2014 ·

#994385
Hi guys,

Forgive me if this is on another thread, I had a quick look and couldn't find anything.

I bought a 1974 beetle about 6 weeks ago. She developed a horrific shake on the way home, stopped and wouldn't go again. Long story short, she had a dead lead and was running on 3 cylinders.

I changed the plugs and leads a few days after and she still wouldn't run. Ended up changing the distributor and coil too to see if it was a spark issue as she'll crank over, just won't catch.

Today I pulled the rocker covers off to check the valve clearances, and she's dumped oil all over my drive.

Does anyone have the faintest idea what could be wrong with her? I'm thinking it might be a compression issue but not sure why she would run then suddenly stop??

Has anyone else encountered a similar issue?

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#994387
faulty ignition key/barrel not connecting power to coil when cranking ??
try a hot wire set up .
could also be lots more thingy s
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car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#994390
ian.mezz wrote:faulty ignition key/barrel not connecting power to coil when cranking ??
try a hot wire set up .
could also be lots more thingy s
Start with the basics,test for power at the coil positive terminal with a voltmeter/test light,if it has power hook the test lead to the negative side of the coil and with the cap off turn the engine by hand and watch the light it should come on and off indicating that the points are opening.This is a basic start for you and progress from there.

theycallmeswampy Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Jun 2014 ·

#994396
Hey,

I've tested the points and she is getting spark, dizzy is sparking as it should be but there is no soot on the end of the plugs after cranking.

theycallmeswampy Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Jun 2014 ·

#994398
It's got a different dizzy and condenser in it off of a working engine and has a new coil, so should be getting spark at the plugs.

theycallmeswampy Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Jun 2014 ·

#994399
Any ideas on why it's spat out a large amount of oil when I pulled the rocker covers off???

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#994408
I assume that you have jacked it up on one side or it is pointing uphill and the oil settled in the tappet cover,it has to go some where when you pull the cover off.A silly question but are you sure that the plug leads are on the right plugs?

theycallmeswampy Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Jun 2014 ·

#994409
It's sitting on flat ground, so not sure why it's collected, the oil smellsna bit fuelly too. The leads are on the right plugs, however there's no notch on the dizzy like there should be. The firing order has been done by TDC though so it should run even if the dizzy is retarded as the leads and plugs will be in the right order. Or am I totally mistaken??

onetrackwonder Casual Dubber

33 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#994581
Sounds like you may have the carbie leaking fuel into the crank case and the engine has compression locked
69 fastback daily driver gone, 66 beetle next resto job,
sold my 76 camper after 21 years years ago and now all the prices have gone up, moving and re building houses has slowed down VW love, Greg Martin

Deadpan Seriously Crusin Dubber

109 posts · joined Apr 2014 ·

#994850
theycallmeswampy what location are you? maybe someone local might be able give you hand
Shaun,Part-time secret snake relocator,full time reptile keeper and small collector of ugly projects bugs ...🤪