Herbie is sick, Herbie is dying, but he can be resurrected with a little help.

You see, I had a non Vee Dubbie mechanic install a new clutch, but first doesnt work. It clunk clunks and shudders and makes a dreadful sound, pops out and misbehaves. All other gears work beautifully. He proceeded to say he didnt know what the problem is, and that I would have to talk to someone who knows more about the Dubs.

His battery is dead (although it isnt old, but just because he has been sick for so long hes lost his will to live and just needs a little revving up), and he needs one tyre pumped up and a little light in the back break replaced. His breaks are adjusted fine though.

I cant do it myself. I need help! I need to get my licence before August, because (heres the kicker) Im up the duff, and I bought Herbie to practice in, but since his clutch went cactus, I havent had any practice at all. I have had him almost 2 years and have driven him only a handful of times.

I am willing to swap home cooked meals, money for labour (but I dont have too much of that), icy cold drinks and even tutoring for the kids (I am a teacher of Junior Science and German)...

PLEASE can someone help??? I would have acted sooner but I only just came across this site, and didnt have the money to get the car towed, buy any new parts and also pay another mechanic to start from scratch!

I need to get mobile ASAP, I want to go for my licence before the end of April.

Thanks,
Jade.... (HerbiesJem)

which part of australia are you from, it helps to know where you are, so people in that area can help you out. you should'nt have much trouble finding someone on here to help you. i was in your shoes a while back and some people on here helped me out.

good luck.

Yeh...location would be a great help.If you were in Townsville you could cook to give me a break!!!:bounce

Sorry guys! I am in Paddington, Queensland! That is just on the north side of Brissie near the CBD.
I was having a ditzy moment!
:0)
Jade.

If you were in Toowoomba I could lend a hand :thumb


Come on people surely someone can help out.



Jeremy

Sounds like you have a few problems with Herbie.
I`m sure someone up your way will help you out.
sound like they didn`t fit your clutch right, or the clips have come off your thust bearing.
You should try and get your battery put on a charger.
I`m sure you`ll get some help.
Is anyone up that way up for a working bee?
I`d like to help but I`m in Victoria

Jade,

try this link to Queensland helpers page.

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=2 


Matt.

I'd love to learn more german! Good luck with it all..

bump. bump, bumpety bump.

Actually, bob IS my uncle....
and its more of a clunk than a bump!
:0)
Jade.

Guys I'm in a pickle aswell, any one in melbourne area who can help me out, give me a call on 0415 539 654

There is a slab in it for someone who can help out

thanks

ed

u2u (top right hand corner message thingy)

Jade I am happy to try and help out but I'm on the gold coast which makes it a bit tricky trying to organise a time/date. Sounds like the engine may have to come out to rectify the clutch problem - for this to be achieved you'll generally need a flat surface (not sure if you have a flat driveway/garage at paddington - quite hilly)?

I have a battery charger you could borrow (just a cheap one but it would do the job until you get it running and then the alternator/generator will help recharge it). The brake light should be easy to fix (do you know if your beetle is still on 6V or has it been upgraded to 12V)? or also do you know what year your beetle is?

I don't know how other people feel about trying to organise a date for a working bee - the next available saturday I'd have would be Saturday 1 April (up until 3pmish)- I guess this could be a start to get the ball rolling. If someone can get it sorted sooner than that, then fantastic, unfortunately I'm tied up until that weekend. Anyone else?

Cheers
Alan

Hi Alan,
Herbie is a 1967 Superdelux, all origninal, so that means he is still 6 volt. I wanted to keep him that way until I get confident enough to do night driving, then I might consider a conversion. Still, I wanted to keep him mostly original.
I have a flat garage, and yes, it is SUPER hilly here! I will have to get my husband to move his car out for that one.
I wish he was handy with cars! (You should see the state of his car atm!)
Any help at all would be appreciated. Any time it suits you. Thank you so much for your kind offer.
And if there is something you would like in return, let me know.
:0)
Jade.

Hi KoolKarmaKombi,
There was nothing in my inbox.
Is that what you meant?
Sorry,
Jade.

Okay cool - well if we shoot for April 1 hopefully it will all go to plan. I am not sure how I'll go but I'll try and round up a friend or two to help (unless someone on here is keen to volunteer as well)....you never know - if we get enough helpers we may even be able to adjust your brakes, grease your front end, and (hopefully) get your beetle back on the road.

I'll be able to bring up a trolley jack, jack stands, grease gun, general tools required to pull an engine. For those reading this, how do you guys travel removing an engine when you A) don't have a removable apron like I do, and B) don't have a block and tackle to hoist the rear of the car up (like I have access to with all my beetle engine removals). I figure getting the rear end up high enough on jack stands is a start, but are the normal jackstands high enough?

Oh and don't worry about anything in return for the work, maybe just a cold beer upon completion of the work (not too early though as motivation can be adversely affected by increased consumption!). I just hope that when the engine is pulled, it is something that can be repaired on the day (and hopefully won't be stranded by the need to replace a part thus not allowing the job to be finished).

I am dalby bound ( 3 hrs from brissie) and usually work on a little bigger gear( dozers) but if this gets up i could try and come down and then move on to visit siblings. i was in the QLD helpers thingy but i am not sure if i still am listed after the server trouble, Im not bad on the tools but am limited in VW work.

u2u me closer to the date.

cheers dub.

[ Edited on 8-3-2006 by Dub-Buggier ]

sorry jade no longer able to make it discovered today that i am obliged to attened a family 21st on april fools.

hope your bug gets up and running about in no time tho!!

cheers dub


[ Edited on 9-3-2006 by Dub-Buggier ]

As long as I know how many are coming to help out, I can put on an april fools day BBQ. That may lure more helpers.
I will buy a carton or a few six packs if you like different beers, and we can throw some sausages on the barbeque.
I apprecaite the help. My husbane will be there to help with lifting too, and hopefully Herbie will indeed be back on the road by the end of the day!
That would be fantastic.
:0)
Jade.

Das: In my experience with removing an engine, It's best to get the heavier duty car stands as they are generally taller at their max setting. Some of the older screw-style ones also have a higher extension. IN regards to the trolley jack, it'll need to be one of the 2 tonne+ ones as they also have the greater lift height. Failing that, you can get creative with bits of 2X4 under the wheels of the jack. But I find you'll still need the larger jack to get the engine out from the gearbox (the car's at an angle remember! so the rear end is going to be even higher than at the car stands!) You probably know all this anyways... hope it helps.

cheers mate, yep I have one of the big high lift jacks, but may need to review jack stand situation - anyone in brissy happy to loan theirs for a day if you have the tall ones?

Did someone say[size=5] BBQ[/size] :P

Add me to the list Jade.

If theres going to be a maintance/repair day made of it, then I could organise to come aswell.



Jeremy

[ Edited on 9-3-2006 by jeremy ]

I'll try to lend a hand if I'm free (I have to do a motor swap on my Magna this month) So if that's all finished by then, Veronika (My Superbug) and I might pop over for a few hours.
U2U me closer to date please.
-Staggers.

Guys
can't help on the 1st (well at least for all day as I have a four hour class at Clontarf to get to) but have four car stands (probably the same as yours Das, but can measure the height at full stretch if you like to see if they are higher).
DIY, can drop you off there and probably stay for a while if you can get away from familiy and or work stuff.
Have a grease gun I can bring as well.
Let me know on u2u or on my mobile number okay. DIY and Stan have it. I am cutting back my time on here till I get the net connected at home.

let me know the details, I have sent the lady a u2u but she no see

Ive a big trolly jack, any other tools Das?

Guys,

have got the full day free, so count me in at this stage, either in person or just tools

Cheers