Any idea before she goes to mechanic? UPDATE 27/9 :( again

This morning my Beetle did not want to start. Took 15 minutes to finally fire her up. Usually there's no smoke from her rear end, but there was this morning which I'm guessing was just burnt oil. 🙁
Since having new cylinders/pistons the engine is sitting differently to how it was when I bought her, and now the large pipe from the air cleaner that goes out the bottom of the engine doesn't fit properly. There's a gap because it doesn't quite reach the hole. Could this be why she didn't want to start (it was c-c-c-cold this morning) and why she suddenly shudders whilst I'm waiting at lights, almost like she wants to stall?
I've got her booked in for Thursday as I've got new clutch and pressure plates for her, so any suggestions as to why she's misbehaving would be much appreciated.... that way I'll know what to tell the mechanic, as I'm still in the learning process of Beetle-ness!

Thanxnn[ Edited on 26/9/2005 by Pretty_Blue_Bug ]

The engine shouldn't sit differently no matter what! Was the transmission/engine dropped out at the same time? Just wondering if the alignment is out of whack.

Can you describe the type of shudder the engine makes a little better? This may hold some answers.

The engine was removed when the pistons and cylinders were replaced, and the RHS head was replaced too. I only assume the engine is sitting a bit differently because the big pipe used to fit fine both ends, and now it doesn't! There's about a cm gap and it just won't make it to the bottom.

The shudder only happens when I have to stop at lights, etc. She's revving fine, and then it shudders and almost cuts out, and then goes back to revving fine. It's quite random though, doesn't happen every time I stop.

This morning was the first time I've had any trouble getting her to start though... I didn't like it. 🙁

Sounds like the engine isn't aligned with the transmission correctly, which I'm actually having trouble envisaging. Hmm..

When was the last time the bottom end was done on your engine?

I have absolutely no idea.... I could check back through my miriad of receipts but I wouldn't know what I'd be looking for. 😢

I'll get the mechanic to make sure everything is aligned properly when he removes and refits engine again on Thursday.

I just want to be able to drive me Beetle and enjoy it, not worry all the time that something is going to break!

sounds like carby issues to me. The smoke was lots of unburnt fuel and the shuddering is something to do with idle settings probably. The shuddering is just the engine not running properly, don't at low revs it feels scary but it's probably ok. Get your mechanic to tune her properly and she'll be fine.

Since having new cylinders, there's been no smoke whatsoever until this morning (it's been great seeing clearly in my mirrors! Hahaha)

I guess she just wanted to stay snuggled under her warm cover, and not driven in the cold! 😉

I'll see about getting a new pipe thing too, but will it be the same length as the one on now that doesn't fit? Or will everything fit ok when they remove and refit engine on Thurs?

Does it only do it when cold or hot as well ?
How is the fuel consumption ?
does the clutch shudder in every gear including reverse ?

- It seems to shudder when engine cold or hot... mostly when it's hot, though it's kinda random.
- Fuel consumption is same as always (not sure how many miles to a tank yet, am too scared to run it down low!)
- Clutch plates are stuffed, hence why I'm getting them replaced with my nice new ones! It slips when in gear and has a 'flat spot' type feeling when accelerating.

Bug_racer wrote:Does it only do it when cold or hot as well ?
How is the fuel consumption ?
does the clutch shudder in every gear including reverse ?

so the engine is coming out for that and all should be checked and tuned as she is reassembled

just get it done....good luck...that blue is so pretty !

Yeah, I love the blue too! :P

Will see how everything goes on Thurs.... but atleast I can tell the mechanic a few things to make sure of when reassembling!

I've set myself a task tonight.... will go through all the receipts going back to when she was first bought new, and enter everything into my pc so it'll be easier to look at when things were done to my Bug! At the moment the receipts are just stuffed into her original folder along with service book, etc..... fun-o! :o

karmen wrote:so the engine is coming out for that and all should be checked and tuned as she is reassembled

just get it done....good luck...that blue is so pretty !

nn[ Edited on 19/9/2005 by Pretty_Blue_Bug ]

Damn... 🙁

Just tried to start my Bug before, and it took a good couple of minutes trying before she'd finally turn over..... the starter motor still sounds healthy though, it's not slowed or anything.... any ideas?

i find i get smoke some mornings, but only since putting on the zoom tube..., and i'v also had the wanting to stall at the lights at random times.., put it down to the carby - needing a tune... which io REALLY should do :| but latley adolf has been good... i think he knows whats in store for him 🙂

id say carby issues too....ive had lots of dramas with my carby. id get a carby kit and rebuild the carby (just cause u dont know when it was done last) could have a faulty needle and seat valve which is leaking fuel into engine while engine is off which floods the cylinders and then u get smoke when it finally fires.if your needle and seat is sticking it would explain wanting to stall etc. rebuild your carby and give it a good tune.

Don't have the money to rebuild the carby, I hate to think how much I've spent on this pretty 'lil Bug since I'ver had her. 😢 But I'll see about getting her tuned properly on Thurs when she's getting fixed.

i'v got a carby here off a 1500, or 1600 if u need it... was good last timeit was run, or the one off my 1600 TP when i finally get the weber on🙂 all mine needs isa tune, and it'd B cheap 🙂

is it lacking any power?

Our beetle lost a bit of power and was blowing a heap of smoke on start up...

found out today that its running on 3 cylinders... 🙂

Yeah she's losing power, but that's because of the clutch slipping. 🙂 When I start her up, there's usually no smoke... except for this morning's episode.
It wouldn't want to be the cylinders or anything to do with them as they've only just been replaced for brand new bits!
Will see what the verdict is on Thursday.... hopefully it's just a matter of a damn good tune!

And maybe a bit of :sandrine 😉

DoNkEy wrote:is it lacking any power?

Our beetle lost a bit of power and was blowing a heap of smoke on start up...

found out today that its running on 3 cylinders... 🙂

only about 30 bucks for a rebuild kit. you could do it yourself. its a peice of piss

Anthiron wrote:only about 30 bucks for a rebuild kit. you could do it yourself. its a peice of piss

yep, just make sure you have a clean workspace to lay all the pieces down in order. i sticky taped mine to a big piece of cardboard so it looked like the exploded diagram that comes with the kit. was a lot easier than i thaught it would be.
just needed to borrow an air hose to blow all the holes clean

try some carby cleaner too - i did that to mine and it made a noticable difference. Then, a week later, do it again to clean up any crap that's possibly loosened up. I ended up using half of the can.. just gotta keep revving the engine otherwise it'll die pretty quick when you're spraying the cleaner in.. make sure to hit all theway around the inside of the throat and butterflys etc...

Hi,
I had the same problem with the not starting first time and stalling at lights (but fine when running), and like Donkey I discovered the car was running on 3 cylinders (no smoke though). My beetle had a rebuild only 4-5 years ago, and the beetle's only done 2000miles since then. My engine is out of the car at the moment, I'm about to drive down to the mechanics to find out what the issue is, so I'll let you know.
I'll ask while I'm down there for any suggestions you could take to the mechanic.
I'm in the same situation, rapidly trying to learn everything about beetles, since I've only had mine for a month, so I understand perfectly what you're worried about! I went to 3 different 'experts' and had three different opinions on what's wrong! It's really freaky (not to mention expensive)!
Best of luck.nn[ Edited on 20-9-2005 by visitor ]

Please do let me know!! 🙂
And good luck with yours!

visitor wrote:Hi,
I had the same problem with the not starting first time and stalling at lights (but fine when running), and like Donkey I discovered the car was running on 3 cylinders (no smoke though). My beetle had a rebuild only 4-5 years ago, and the beetle's only done 2000miles since then. My engine is out of the car at the moment, I'm about to drive down to the mechanics to find out what the issue is, so I'll let you know.
I'll ask while I'm down there for any suggestions you could take to the mechanic.
I'm in the same situation, rapidly trying to learn everything about beetles, since I've only had mine for a month, so I understand perfectly what you're worried about! I went to 3 different 'experts' and had three different opinions on what's wrong! It's really freaky (not to mention expensive)!
Best of luck.nn[ Edited on 20-9-2005 by visitor ]

Eeeek!!

She started fine yesterday morning and afternoon, even drove beautifully (apart from lack of power from clutch)....
But this morning she decided to play silly buggers BIG TIME!
Started fine, cruising to work (gotta love school hols.... no traffic!) and after half an hour of driving all of a sudden no power at all and BANG! She starts backfiring full on and really loud, with or without my foot on the pedal. I pulled over, opened engine lid and everything looked fine inside... it was so sudden I thought a hose had come off or something! Anyway since I was only 10 mins from work, I jumped back in, started her up (starts fine again) and just when I think I'm going to have a fun 10 mins limping my pretty Beetle to work, she doesn't backfire at all until I pull in the driveway.

Carby issues? Is there anything I can do before I have to leave work at 5pm? I don't want to panic driving home! It's like she knows the nice man is going to see her tomorrow when clutch is getting replaced, so she'll make him earn his money by giving him a few more things to fix..... it's all well and good if I had the extra $$! 🥲

How are your spark plugs and leads? They can cause some really big problems.

I never used to like looking at my motor at night. All the pretty blue light on the outside of my spark plug leads.

A loose lead can cause backfiring and starting problems. Not the most likely candidate, but it only takes a minute to check they are all plugged in.

Like its been said, carby rebuilds are dead easy. And can be very worthwhile. You could have clogged jets, crud in the float bowl, a leak somewhere etc.

I checked the fuel filter and there doesn't seem to be any crap in it.
I'm always checking the spark plug leads, and they're all good.

Might as well get my mechanic to do carby work tomorrow too, since my Beetle will be there! :P

Thanx everyone for your info, we'll see how she is tomorrow night when I pick her up! :kiss 🙂

i think u have major shit stuck in your carby jets. ive had tons of issues like this from dirt and stuff getting in offroad.

starving of fuel so it back fires cause very little fuel can get past the blockage in the jet. loss of power cause it hasnt got the fuel to burn properly. your engine will run hotter if its running lean also.

I should still be able to drive it tonight though like that, won't I? I don't want damage anything else!! :duh

If an aircooled vw engine runs lean for a long time you may drop a valve seat which means you'll need a head rebuild ($$). I very much doubt this will happen though just for the trip home because if its been running lean since this problem started, it should still survive until you get to the mechanic!

Clutch shudder can be due to oil on the flywheel/clutch plate surface, stuffed clutch or pressure plate, or incorrect bowden tube (flexible tube that the cable runs in just before the gearbox) or cable adjustment. OR a combination of all!

The intermittent poor running is difficult to diagnose - to break it down very simply an engine needs spark and fuel to run. The proposed problems mentioned above regarding "spark" are degraded leads/plugs or loose connections of leads, fouled plugs (inside of spark plugs covered in carbon/crap), coil malfunction (not likely though as it would probably just stop altogether), burnt points in distributor (not likely to run poorly intermittently - would be all the time), condensor malfunction (worth replacing as it is easy and relatively cheap - I had the same sort of intermittent problems (without backfiring though) when mine was on the way out).

Re. fuel supply - well you've checked fuel filter and lines....there is obviously fuel getting to the carb otherwise it wouldn't run at all. Clogged jets could be the culprit. Air leak around manifold (carb to manifold, or manifold to head) - doesn't sound like this is the problem though.

Hmmm...intermittent problems are always hard to determine what the cause is! Best of luck, the above is just some preliminary thoughts.

Thanx heaps for your info Das! 🙂

I've already had one head rebuilt, and the other one replaced brand new.... so I don't want anything to happen again there!

My clutch plate and pressure plate are stuffed, I can't wait for my new ones to be put in! They were a hard thing to source, being for a stickshift auto... but it will be good. :thumb

My Beetle had new spark plug leads and distributor not long after I bought her.... everything feels very tight there.

I've got a feeling it's the jets, but I called the mechanic this morning and he'll check everything.

She hasn't been running lean at all, it was such a sudden thing this morning.... as long as I can get home (40min drive) I'll be happy... and will be driving so slowly! Hahaha, lucky I'm in a 'lil ol' Bug to get away with it! :P

How are your spark plugs and leads? They can cause some really big problems.

I never used to like looking at my motor at night. All the pretty blue light on the outside of my spark plug leads.

A loose lead can cause backfiring and starting problems. Not the most likely candidate, but it only takes a minute to check they are all plugged in.

Like its been said, carby rebuilds are dead easy. And can be very worthwhile. You could have clogged jets, crud in the float bowl, a leak somewhere etc.

Hope it all goes well.... I hate the feeling of losing power while driving in traffic or feeling like it's going to conk out at the lights.... only happened a couple of times. Sorry no great words of wisdom after all the advice you have been given by the others on the forum.... If you have a digital camera, a couple of photos of your areas of concern never go astray...

All the best😉

063bug wrote:Hope it all goes well.... I hate the feeling of losing power while driving in traffic or feeling like it's going to conk out at the lights.... only happened a couple of times. Sorry no great words of wisdom after all the advice you have been given by the others on the forum.... If you have a digital camera, a couple of photos of your areas of concern never go astray...

All the best😉

Thank you, I hope all goes well too!

Not that I like having things wrong with my Beetle, but I prefer them to be obvious things that are gradual.... not sudden things and everything still looks fine! 😉
I could take photos (and I am a self confessed photo-taking junkie) but since all looks as it should from the outside..... :duh

Dasdubber wrote:If an aircooled vw engine runs lean for a long time you may drop a valve seat which means you'll need a head rebuild ($$).

exactly what i think happened to us, but i dont think the heads have ever been looked at. Currently she is sidelined, lacking in power and now even backfiring.

Best of Luck with Your Beetle....
the clutch etc should last virtually forever as they don't slip like a normal clutch...... its either in gear or out of gear.... depending on when You move the gearlever...
which is when the clutch is disengaged....

Your carby probably needs blowing out with compressed air and a kit put thru it or just cleaned..... by a mechanic..
VW engines don't like even very small air leaks in the carburetor or exhaust system.....

Lee Noonan

good luck with it - I'm sure you'll let us know about it *looks at watch* today!

I reckon they could make a soapie episode about my Beetle dramas of the past couple of days! 😀

Yesterday when I left work at 5pm, my Beetle started fine and got out onto the road with no backfiring or anything. But 50 metres later, it was a different story! No power and heaps of backfiring, so I manage to roll her into some office's carpark. I checked the engine, and it all looked fine still.... so I ran back to my mechanic to see if there was anything I could do to make her last the 40min drive to my bf's place. There wasn't much I could do by the side of the road, so I had to get her towed!! 🥲
After waiting for a while, I saw three towtrucks go by.... the third one did a U-turn and came back about 15 mins later, so I waved at him and he was there for the Beetle. When the dude got out of his truck, I didn't even get a hello, just "You're not a fat chick!" He showed me what the lady I spoke to wrote down... and I couldn't stop laughing! I told the woman on the phone to get the driver to look out for a 'hippy chick' (I was in my work clothes) and she'd written down a 'big fat chick'!! So I hope the dude tells her the 'fat chick' was only 5ft tall and 45kgs!!! Hahaha :P
It was a sad sight seeing my pretty Blue Bug on a towtruck, but she'll be getting all fixed up and would want to behave like the 35 year old woman that she is! 😉
The only good thing about last night was getting a lift from the mechanic to my bf's place by a lovely girl in her Mum's old Beetle. She was picking it up after it's service, so thank you for the lift Magda! :kiss

It will be interesting to find out what's wrong with my Bug, as long as it is something stupidly simple and not much $$!! 🙂

Well, how did it go with the mechanic.... what was the problem???? and how's your purse.... hope it's not smoking.

Can't wait for the next episode of "Blue in Melbourne"🙂

063bug wrote:Well, how did it go with the mechanic.... what was the problem???? and how's your purse.... hope it's not smoking.

Can't wait for the next episode of "Blue in Melbourne"🙂

Hahaha, so my mini-saga has a soapie name! :P

My Beetle is still at the mechanics.... will call them tomorrow and find out the verdict..... :alien

I called the mechanic this morning.... and there was something inside the carby that had moved and was facing the wrong way (but I couldn't understand what it was) so it just had to be moved back. Simpler than simple, so yay for that!

And they're half way through working on the clutch, and will also put my torsion bars in today.

😁

Well that's good news!😵‍💫

Looks like I spoke too soon. 🙁

Drove the Beetle home last night from Eden's house (30min drive) and she was purrrfect. Rear end is a lot firmer, clutch all good, no backfiring at all....

And then driving it this morning, all was good until she'd been going for 15-20mins.... when the same problem happened again: sudden complete loss of power, backfiring big time. We pulled over, couldn't see a problem, started her up and all was good.... for another 100 metres, and then she completely died and wouldn't restart at all. Lucky I got across the huge Wellington Rd/Princes Hwy intersection! :o

Eden's Dad towed my Bug back with his Kombi, where we pulled carby off and checked it all, but it looks fine. There's still fuel getting in.
???
Took off a spark lead to see if there was a spark when trying to start her up, and it doesn't look like there is.

So.... could it be the coil? Or something else? Any ideas appreciated.... as she's going back to mechanic on Monday. D'oh!

Dear PBB,


If it's a new Bosch mini coil then they fry themselves in the heat, best the traditional style and without resistor if you have points ignition. (this from bitter experience):cry

Ok... verdict from mechanic is that it IS the carby.... one of the jets is turning around and blocking itself off.

I want my Beetle back! 🥲

aaaaaaaargh

Shouldn't the jet be spring loaded so that doens't happen? Times like this you just wish you could buy a brand spankin new carb or go FI 😉

oval TOFU wrote:aaaaaaaargh

Shouldn't the jet be spring loaded so that doens't happen? Times like this you just wish you could buy a brand spankin new carb or go FI 😉

Yep, it is spring loaded, but I think the whole thing is turning around? I'm not quite sure, EgeWorks knows more than I do! But I'll interogate him and post the findings on here... 😉

Far out!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! 🙁 🙁

Driving home yesterday after getting car from mechanic's AGAIN and she still has the same problem (sudden loss of power coupled with backfiring and spluttering big time). It's really random when it happens too. She backfires a little bit when idling, but whether I'm accelerating doing 30m/ph or 50m/ph, or backing off accelerator, she starts acting up. Not good in peak hour! 🥲 Atleast she didn't die on me completely like last week.
The points were replaced yesterday, as well as the carby gasket as that was worse for wear. Also got a new jet.

So what could it be?? I'm taking her back again tonight...

Sounds like you need a new mechanic! Have you described all the problems/symptoms to them?
I've never had jets that turn themselves around. Fall out maybe if they're loose!

...I hope you get it sorted out PBB ..... it must be getting frustrating to say the least 😢

ACE_76 wrote:Sounds like you need a new mechanic! Have you described all the problems/symptoms to them?
I've never had jets that turn themselves around. Fall out maybe if they're loose!

It's all weird huh? They'd better find out the problem today or I will have to find another mechanic. Usually these guys are awesome, and very reasonable $$ (not that this has been costing me additional $$) but still... lets hope it's third time lucky!

And yes Jen, it's frustrating but I'm so over it. I just want my bug fixed so she drives how she used to.... only now she has a better rear end and new clutch/pressure plates!
It's more the inconvenience of all this that's getting me down, as she's my daily driver and I love driving....

😢

I am not sure if this has been changed already but I really think it is worth putting a new condensor in. My 40hp beetle left me stranded a couple of times due to the condensor, but then it would go again....then stutter and run okay, only to break down again. For the sake of a part that is under $20 (I think), I think it willl be worthwhile - if it turns out that it is not the problem, at least you have a spare then for down the track.

Dasdubber wrote:I am not sure if this has been changed already but I really think it is worth putting a new condensor in. My 40hp beetle left me stranded a couple of times due to the condensor, but then it would go again....then stutter and run okay, only to break down again. For the sake of a part that is under $20 (I think), I think it willl be worthwhile - if it turns out that it is not the problem, at least you have a spare then for down the track.

Thanx Das for that info, I had a u2u from someone saying the same thing... I'm about to call the mechanic and see what's happenin'! 🙂

a condenser shouldn't cost more than 10 clams shouldn't it? but yeh, it's well simple to replace... good luck - I know how frustrating it is to have ya bug snarf you around...

😀

Just got off the phone to my mechanic....

They replaced the ignition points on Friday as they were badly burned.... when he checked them this morning they were starting to get that way again. He replaced the condensor and also the coil. Some of the wires going into the coil weren't that great either, so he replaced those too. He's just going through now checking fuel liines to make sure all is good and the pump too. So this problem would want to be erradicated and all shall be good! I can't wait, as I know she's a wicked 'lil Beetle and it's making me sad not being able to drive her.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions, and would hug you all to say thanx if I could!
But this will have to do: *hugs!*

We can't stand the suspense any longer!... Is it OK now?

So far so good!! 😉 I don't want to speak too soon though.....

She has a couple of shiny new bits in her now though.... and since she behaved for the mechanic, I found some gorgeous little chrome pretties to adorn her with! Tehehe 👍

off to the swap meet with the convoy then?

If Eden doesn't have uni work to do, we'll try to be there! :P

even if he does - make him come 🙂

yeh, you're a chick, crack that whip! Or do what you girls do that makes guys do thier bidding.. I haven't figured out what it is yet..

Hahaha, I'm nice to Eden though, so my whip is packed away... LOL

He has lots of uni work to do so we won't be going tomorrow. Besides, all my money went on getting my car fixed, so I have none left to buy pretties for her! 🥲

Well, she only has herself to blame!