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My maiden voyage - A typical VW story I'm sure.
benjicon - August 19th, 2010 at 11:32 PM

So I very excitedly went to the guys at RAW this morning to collect my car and drive it back, 50km from Campbelltown to Camperdown.... a 53 year old car thats been garaged for 6 months... hah.

A very slow trip down the M5 with the occasional Oil pressure lamp flashing on and off, I got off the freeway and stopped and topped the oil up at a servo took the back streets to the princess highway .. everything seemed ok... driving down the princess highway in the home stretch about 1 km away from King street Newtown, middle lane of 3 lane road... car stopped..... would not start.

I am pretty new at this VW thing, I knew the fuel gauge was shot, I looked in the tank and saw a bit of fuel splashing about , but thought I'd dash up to the Petrol station I could see up the road and get some fuel just in case...

I got back with the jerry can, and A guy named Steve, was talking to my sister, Steve was a Toyota mechanic but also a VW enthusiast, he saw us stranded and came to lend a hand, he checked under the hood and immediately saw that the main dizzy cable had shaken loose. Steve said its probably cause the car is so low and it jolted loose on Sydney's shitty roads.

Thanks Steve :) The cars home now, and it needs a service badly, the "OEL" is black as night , so I'll drop her into the local mechanic tomorrow.

I think I'm gonna like owning a beetle :)

jhp1 - August 19th, 2010 at 11:49 PM

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chickenfillet - August 19th, 2010 at 11:52 PM

Howdy Benjicon,

Congrats on the new ride, glad to hear I won't be the only one annoying the good people of Newtown - my 67 has an electrical system that seems to be powered by a AA battery.

Kev

Mike - August 19th, 2010 at 11:52 PM

Thats the best part of owning older cars especially vws, it's always an adventure and you really appreciate getting to your destination:lol:

Pollywaffle - August 20th, 2010 at 10:40 AM

A good VW experience :) Glad you got it home mate. I hope to see it on the roads soon!

_me_ - August 20th, 2010 at 11:31 AM

nice one benny boy!

be sure to meet up soon - Francessca needs to see her new toyboy :)

benjicon - August 20th, 2010 at 11:34 AM

Gazza!! Yeah man, I'll give you a shout, bugs at the mechanic now getting a tune, needed it badly. Stay tuned.

Paulc1964au - August 20th, 2010 at 05:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by benjicon
Gazza!! Yeah man, I'll give you a shout, bugs at the mechanic now getting a tune, needed it badly. Stay tuned.


why didnt you get Adam and Mick to tune it up while they had it?

Are you planning on a respray or keeping the bug as is? Did you get a look at my speakers while you were there?

benjicon - August 20th, 2010 at 07:05 PM

So update, The bugs sick as a dog. Getting towed to a VW guy tomorrow. Got no grunt at all.. coughing and spluttering .. wont go faster than 15mph on flat road.

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulc1964au

why didnt you get Adam and Mick to tune it up while they had it?

Are you planning on a respray or keeping the bug as is? Did you get a look at my speakers while you were there?


It didn't seem to have anything wrong with it when Adam and Mick had it, I even started it up myself when I went ant visited the guys and the car sounded great, They took it for a few runs and all seemed ok, it even seemed pretty good for most of the trip back to my place, I had a chat with Adam today and it sounds like some sediment has worked its way into the carb.. The car was sitting for about 6 months and we all know what that can do to an old car.. the problem came on pretty suddenly, it went from totally drivable to needing to be towed. So I'm crossing my fingers crossed its an easy fix.

Respray.. Not for now.. I like it ratty and I freaking LOVE the old sign writing, Plus its straight and rust free.. so I'll concentrate on getting it running reliably first.. Then do something about the wheels... Maybe Old school big logo hub caps and white walls, then have a look at the interior.. cause its pretty worn out.. Springs sticking out of the drivers seat aren't very comfy :)

Paulc1964au - August 20th, 2010 at 07:08 PM

Well as Adam said once you start driving it regularly you might have a few minor issues then it will be fine. I am planning on doing the interior in rosie in a few months time so we will have to meet up so you can see what it looks like

benjicon - August 20th, 2010 at 09:53 PM

Yeah totally man,

I hope that didn't come across as a dig at Adam and Mike, The guys at RAW did a brilliant job on my car and I'm over the moon with how the car turned out, they have been exceedingly helpful and I'd recommend them to any one.

Like you say, driving it regularly again there will be a few teething problems.. I have back tracked in my head to the exact time the car started chugging, it was STRAIGHT after i put fuel in the tank, which leads me to think something in the tank was stirred up (sediment) when I poured it in.

Hope no one misunderstood me. Rock on.

Pollywaffle - August 20th, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Fingers crossed everything works out. Please don't get it resprayed! It looks great as is.

Barnabie - August 21st, 2010 at 09:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pollywaffle
Fingers crossed everything works out. Please don't get it resprayed! It looks great as is.




I agree!! Don't respray it - that old sign writing is one of the things that makes it soooo cool. :yes:

benjicon - August 22nd, 2010 at 12:08 AM

Haha, no fear guys, the sign writing is staying, its been my favourite thing about the car from the moment i first laid eyes on it.

All i'm gonna do is tiddy up the wheels, optimized for rattyness, i have some sweet ideas, and accessorize a bit. Stay tuned. :)

Pollywaffle - August 22nd, 2010 at 12:29 AM

Can't wait Ben!