defect by police stand offs

Yesterday was driving in blue mountains area safley in my call look 59 bug was pulled up with flashing lights by police.I think when i steped out of my car they were taken back by my youthfull looks im 47 years young .The police were polite enough but told me that the gap on my rear hood was a defect. I was also polite enough and after the gave me 7 days notice said that they may have better things to do with there time(at least they have given me some space) Any one know where i stand on this one?

Body panels must not be protruding from the normal lines unless they have an edge greater than 4mm was the go last time i looked, never heard of this example though, usually only for shopping trolley wings, pop the lid on normally, then clear it & put it back, nobody is going to axe themselves on a popped decklid unless they try super hard, how much does it stick out by?

Yeah, technically they're right because of the sharp edge across the top.

Main solution I know is to fit a strip of rubber along the top edge of the lid... think like a 1/2" hose that's been split along it's length... apparently that solves the sharp edge issue.

👍

I've also heard of some cops trying to use the "people could get their hand stuck in the fan belt"... would love to see them demonstrate how that's possible without being a contortionist !!!

😂

easiest answer is Hood Jax

This allows 20 second change from stock to stand off

Thos fixed ones are a pain

Yah - Hood Jax are a great idea like Bizarre says... flip VWCOOL a pm if you're keen.

When popped out tho I think you're still liable for a defect, but being able to quickly put it back to stock might at least give a better chance of talking yourself out it !!!

😉

yep the old sharp edge will lead u to ruin chestnut
when I had my beetle with stand offs I put some rubber beading over the sharp edge n I never had a prob at all
maybe put the decklid back to big standard to pass the canary bs
then get the rubber happening 😀
cheers h

Prop it out at the bottom........thats what I have done and it runs cooler than with the hoodjack and also complies with Mr Police. Having the bottom open means it can rain and you dont get your motor wet 👍

Stick a tennis ball on the lower latch to prop it open, cheap, easy and no other mods required!

just dont let your dog see where you put the ball😂

ol hillbilly boy wrote:Yesterday was driving in blue mountains area safley in my call look 59 bug was pulled up with flashing lights by police.I think when i stepped out of my car they were taken back by my youthfull looks im 47 years young .The police were polite enough but told me that the gap on my rear hood was a defect. I was also polite enough and after the gave me 7 days notice said that they may have better things to do with their time (at least they have given me some space)
Any one know where i stand on this one?

Hi
I've only heard of this happening in Queensland and the reason was someone could put their hand into the fan belt....??

which is pretty difficult even if You are trying...

The fixed alloy bits that bolt to the body which I used to use have the lid out about 3 or 4 inches... from memory..?

the cool jacks type I have now only open it about maybe 2 1/2 inches... so not a lot...

I did have a piece of rubber across it before but it has fallen to bits... lol

I now have a chromed piece of vinyl over the edge...

its shaped like a U and black on one side...
chromed on the other...

I prefer the top open as the air is caught and dragged into the engine bay.. and it is possible to actually touch some things without burning Your hand... after a run in Your VW.

Have heard about the tennis ball etc...
better then nothing...

I also have a wing that fits over the air vents directing the air into them.... but never ever fitted it.l..

it also doesn't rain much in Scone....

LEE

All i can say is that policeman sure was a coppa so defect you on stupid shit like that since after all its to fit your turbo or blower or for extra cooling and if that coppa could prove there was at least 1 instance that someone was harmed because of the stand offs then i respect his defect notice but i dont think he will be able to prove anyone has eva been harmed from having a gap in ur decklid.

From Dylan

Unfortunately Mr Policeman doesn't have to prove anything, dont forget it is you who has to prove your vehicle complies with the relevant regulations etc blah blah. Whilst alot of us have been unfairly singled out by a over zealous public servant remember tis no use arguing.. ask me how I know 😏.. simply smile say yes sir 3 bags full and swear at them them as they drive off!!!!

DylanTheDubber wrote:All i can say is that policeman sure was a coppa so defect you on stupid shit like that since after all its to fit your turbo or blower or for extra cooling and if that coppa could prove there was at least 1 instance that someone was harmed because of the stand offs then i respect his defect notice but i dont think he will be able to prove anyone has eva been harmed from having a gap in ur decklid.

From Dylan

When I was doing blueslips,clearing defects etc you could always pick the people who gave the cop a mouthful or told him what they thought of them because they ended up with a full inspection at AUVIS which usually ended badly with a myriad of defects to be corrected.RTA rules are there for a reason.

well said guys...grin and bair it till they leave you alone then swear at em....we all know they pick up on whatever they can to make thier quota for the day......just depends how much worse or better you can make it for yourself.

My bug has always had the hood raised (aluminuim block type). got it regoed, and RWC like that 10 yrs ago. only thing i did was put a strip of pinch weld across the top sharp edge. which i did anyways to neaten it up.

only got hassled slightly once for it on the sunny coast.

FLASHING BLUE LIGHTS



Yes..

I drove thru the main street of Scone la couple of weeks ago...
and I did notice the nice metallic green highway patrol car parked
and I looked in the rear vision mirror to see if He pulled out...

He didn't... but then He was obscured by the roundabout...
then I did see Him come around the roundabout...

but when I turned off..
blue lights were flashing behind Me..

it was only a random breath test.... lol

I asked Him if I looked like a drinker...?

He replied its only random.... lol

"He has to say that as its all taken on camera/video now.."

Lee




PS: " it always pays to be nice to them....."
"offer them a cold bottle of water-" now thats going too far
🙅


🙅

Boozo wrote:well said guys...grin and bair it till they leave you alone then swear at em....we all know they pick up on whatever they can to make thier quota for the day......just depends how much worse or better you can make it for yourself.

My bug has always had the hood raised (aluminuim block type). got it regoed, and RWC like that 10 yrs ago. only thing i did was put a strip of pinch weld across the top sharp edge. which i did anyways to neaten it up.

only got hassled slightly once for it on the sunny coast.

Yes,
although the corners or Mine are fairly sharp...
if You hit them at 60KMH...??

I'm looking for something to put over the corners...
but the curve is too tight for the PVC chromed strip I have..

LEE

I got bailed up for an RBT years ago and the cop questioned me about it.

When I explained it was for clearance for my blower I think he was more surprised that a VW was actually supercharged to care about a dangerous protrusion, which is exactly what they are.

I was shitting myself as I didnt have it engineered at the time but through some miracle he didnt even ask.

Oh that's brilliant Joel... get asked about a minor bodywork thing, and explain it away by telling the guy you've got a blower... how high were you at the time ???

😂

I got pulled over for an RBT at Easter out near Warwick... bright red HSV ute towing a car trailer with a race beetle on the back, my 70 year old Dad sitting beside me.

I of course hadn't had a drop to drink, but seemed the cop couldn't handle that awkward silence waiting for his machine, so he asks me "This is your ute is it, and the trailer... that's all registered and legal and properly tied on is it ?". WTF did he think I was going to say... "No officer... it's all stolen and I was really just hoping you wouldn't ask me !!!"

😂 😂 😂

I drove my ragtop around for many years with the decklid standoffs, never picked on by cops, only the odd person at the lights telling me my bootlid is open😂

I prefer the top open as the air is caught and dragged into the engine bay.. and it is possible to actually touch some things without burning Your hand... after a run in Your VW.

It actually doesnt work that way..........the hot air is extracted out of the engine bay, opposed to cold air going in.

vwsteve wrote:I drove my ragtop around for many years with the decklid standoffs, never picked on by cops, only the odd person at the lights telling me my bootlid is open😂

yep same for me
so funny when people at the lights used to do that
flashing lights n blowing horns trying to get ur attention n tell you n then saying that's ok it meant to be like that
???
looks on their faces priceless!! 😀

iT SEEMS EVERY TIME i GO TO GET FUEL WITH THE STANDOFFS OR COOL JAX ON..

People are always telling Me that "Your engine lid is falling Off..."

lol

Lee

Thanks people for your replys .A few commennts about how things happened the police followed me from behind and i did nothing driveing wise ect to attract attention . They had made up there minds the gap on rear lid was not aceptable before i ever steped out of my car .And as i said i am polite to the police force i leant a long time ago if you dont do anything wrong life goes along much smoother. And when i said" havent you guys got anything better to do " What i said word for word was its a pitty you guys have to spend so much time on hwp work instead of busting the bad guys i got a little smile of agreement . I think that all modified cars seem to be getting attention from police of late and i dont think its going to get better some how.Thanks again for your thoughts

68AutoBug wrote:

Boozo wrote:well said guys...grin and bair it till they leave you alone then swear at em....we all know they pick up on whatever they can to make thier quota for the day......just depends how much worse or better you can make it for yourself.

My bug has always had the hood raised (aluminuim block type). got it regoed, and RWC like that 10 yrs ago. only thing i did was put a strip of pinch weld across the top sharp edge. which i did anyways to neaten it up.

only got hassled slightly once for it on the sunny coast.

Yes,
although the corners or Mine are fairly sharp...
if You hit them at 60KMH...??

I'm looking for something to put over the corners...
but the curve is too tight for the PVC chromed strip I have..

LEE

i never had anything to cover the ends. i was going to get the round end peices for the pinch weld...but apparently the only place to get those at the time was out of an old car...and the color just didnt match the rest of it.

either way. if your getting your hands or any part of your body around the back of the car going 60kph you have bigger issues than what that endge might do to you i think 🙂

Craig Torrens wrote:

I prefer the top open as the air is caught and dragged into the engine bay.. and it is possible to actually touch some things without burning Your hand... after a run in Your VW.

It actually doesnt work that way..........the hot air is extracted out of the engine bay, opposed to cold air going in.

true, as i found out recently if you have all the old tin wear.

my old bug on the otherhand has non of the tin around exhaust, or engine seal, or any of the internal steel of the beaver. i was told they get hotter with the engine lid lift......which i quickly found out with mine was far from accurate and did a roadside reinstall as it was getting well up to 100 degrees oil temp...which it never does with the lift.

Boozo wrote:

68AutoBug wrote:

Boozo wrote:well said guys...grin and bair it till they leave you alone then swear at em....we all know they pick up on whatever they can to make thier quota for the day......just depends how much worse or better you can make it for yourself.

My bug has always had the hood raised (aluminuim block type). got it regoed, and RWC like that 10 yrs ago. only thing i did was put a strip of pinch weld across the top sharp edge. which i did anyways to neaten it up.

only got hassled slightly once for it on the sunny coast.

Yes,
although the corners or Mine are fairly sharp...
if You hit them at 60KMH...??

I'm looking for something to put over the corners...
but the curve is too tight for the PVC chromed strip I have..

LEE

i never had anything to cover the ends. i was going to get the round end peices for the pinch weld...but apparently the only place to get those at the time was out of an old car...and the color just didnt match the rest of it.

either way. if your getting your hands or any part of your body around the back of the car going 60kph you have bigger issues than what that edge might do to you i think 🙂

Well
I was thinking that You were hitting the edge of the engine lid after being thrown over the roof...

after being hit by the front of a beetle.... lol

I don't use the VW engine bay seal at the rear of the car..
I use flat neoprene rubber that goes up against the rear fibreglass valance.... there are gaps at the ends...
where the air would be pushed out of the engine bay...

so, if You have any seals missing that will allow hot air from under the engine to enter the engine compartment...
opening the top of the engine lid will work great and lower the temperature in the engine bay...
as air is flowing thru it...

LEE

NewBug wrote:Unfortunately Mr Policeman doesn't have to prove anything, dont forget it is you who has to prove your vehicle complies with the relevant regulations etc blah blah. Whilst alot of us have been unfairly singled out by a over zealous public servant remember tis no use arguing.. ask me how I know 😏.. simply smile say yes sir 3 bags full and swear at them them as they drive off!!!!

I agree with you 100% the moment i opened my mouth i copped fines from all directions and a pretty sticker 2k later i had a car i hated lost alot of money on and sold.

mattie wrote:I agree with you 100% the moment i opened my mouth i copped fines from all directions and a pretty sticker 2k later i had a car i hated lost alot of money on and sold.

You always call a policeman SIR....
that's what I was taught BEFORE I even drove a car... lol

You say in Your posts

My stupid beetle always breaking down..

they break down when parts aren't renewed...
and remember they are all over 40 years old...
cars are made now to last maybe 10 years at the most...

Lee

I wont call a Police officer 'Sir', however I do always call them 'Officer'

After the police officer knocks off and change into the "civilian cloths" they look just like any other fella or girl so I talk to em like I talk to any other person, I sure as hell don't give em any lip same as I expected people to treat me (as a builder) when I was in the work force, you soon get the feel of how the copper is with your atitude and way of talking to them and can adjust to suit, I personaly have never had a problem with them coming the heavy on me, they have always without exception just told me the problem in a civilised manner and then got on with what ever they intended to do, booked or warning and in two cases that come to mind a long discussion about the vehicle I was driving. I have never called them sir or officer, that's just groveling when you don't need to and I reckon they would pick up on that, when you go to the doctors do you call the doc by their name or "doctor", I use their name, same thing as I see it.

I find all this interesting as I have no bonnet on the baja and so far no hassles from police, although I do back off on throttle due to noise from the dual bazookas. Have had many people show lots of interestin car even a copper looking all over it. He loved it!

I agree with Donn. The vast majority of coppers are good blokes - a lot of them got into it to serve their community and help peopel. However, like all jobs, there are some things you have to do that you don't like, or don't even agree with. You still have to either still do it or get out.

Like all groups of people, you get some that are no good, but that is just the way it is.

I have alway treated coppers like any other person (because they are - they are just doing the job they are paid to do), and they will usually treat you how you treat them. If you give them a hard time, I wouldn't blame them for doing the same to you.

Of course, it mostly hasn't stoped them from booking me, but usually, for whatever reason, I have broken the law. Usually it has been unintentionally, and almost always not dangerous, but then, the copper hasn't made the law, he is just doing his job applying it. He can only take things on face value, and things like a reading on a radar or seeing me answer my mobile phone while driving are pretty hard to argue against.

I was the person who did it, and I have to take responsibility for my actions. No one forced me to, I mosly knew the law (whethe it is right or wrong, or makes sense or not), and if I didn't know it, it is still the law. It is not the coppers fault - as I said, he is just doing the job he is paid to do.

Craig Torrens wrote:

I prefer the top open as the air is caught and dragged into the engine bay.. and it is possible to actually touch some things without burning Your hand... after a run in Your VW.

It actually doesnt work that way..........the hot air is extracted out of the engine bay, opposed to cold air going in.

the engine cooling system is divided into 2 seperatly sealed parts,
the top half is cool (this is why it's important to have all your tinware in place), the fan blows this cool air over the cylinders and oil filter and the heated air the escapes from below,
IMHO the first thing to do to improve cooling is to remove the vent flaps (controlled by the thermostatic bellows) from the fan shroud, this however means the engine doesnt heat up as quickly in cold mornings

Maybe the cops just have taste and think it looks crap

no1jc wrote:IMHO the first thing to do to improve cooling is to remove the vent flaps (controlled by the thermostatic bellows) from the fan shroud, this however means the engine doesnt heat up as quickly in cold mornings

It was that line of thinking that has led to nearly every VW on the road losing it's flaps.

They do more than just aid warm up, when fully warmed up they act as vanes directing the cooling air to the heads where its needed instead of overcooling the barrels which is what happens without them.

I was amazed watching the one on my 1776 even when the engine was at full temp the thermostat was pulling closed abit at idle

Joel wrote:

no1jc wrote:IMHO the first thing to do to improve cooling is to remove the vent flaps (controlled by the thermostatic bellows) from the fan shroud, this however means the engine doesnt heat up as quickly in cold mornings

It was that line of thinking that has led to nearly every VW on the road losing it's flaps.

They do more than just aid warm up, when fully warmed up they act as vanes directing the cooling air to the heads where its needed instead of overcooling the barrels which is what happens without them.

I was amazed watching the one on my 1776 even when the engine was at full temp the thermostat was pulling closed abit at idle

you learn something new every day😎
Iguess coming from England it never got hot enough for the direction of cooling air to make a difference just the flow was needed

It was just the done thing back when

If i searched through my crap pile long enough I can probably find you the dealership bulletin from the late 60s that instructs them to be removed as the cars had their first major service.

Even I tossed them out on the first motor I built.
I had a phobia of them after a kombi came into the garage with a nuked engine and when i pulled it down i found they were jammed shut cos the saftey spring on the back of the shroud had let go

bullbar or decklid, why arent bullbars illegal then, btw you get hit by a car i am sure you will seriously get hurt, with or without these, just an excuse, irrellevant to me, risk assessment hhmmmm (unlikely)........................... to get hurt by decklid. then trailers that are behind have very sharp edges, so what gives, feed of crap to me, who ever writes these laws, policies dont think much, they need to think out side of the square a little bit longer, a lot longer.

Cops don't deserve 'SIR'. Officer,maybe. I just ask what the problem is and try not to be a smartass.Though it is hard sometimes