Hi all,
I have got 1500 '68 beetle, 68000 miles genuine. Problem is it uses to much fuel.
I get 16-17 l per 100km around the town, a little better on the highway. What can I do to fix the problem?
(new distributor, new plugs, new points, new rotor)
Thee is no mixture adjusting screw on my carby.
Anyone can help?
Thanks a lot, Jack.

Hi bojac,
Is there any petrol smell inside the car?
Look underneath along the middle of the car for wetness (fuel), If there is take pass. side front wheel off and check bottom of fuel tank and hose conections. I had an experience a few years back when someone rang me with an excessive fuel consumption problem and their mechanic had replaced everything at the back on the motor, but when I checked it out there was fuel dripping of the bottom of the fuel tank. It had rusted out. On another one the hose from the tank to the chassis pipe had cracked and was leaking.
Cheers, Ian.
Ps. You'll have to come over to Bendigo sometime to one of our Club runs. Had 14 cars last Sunday on run to Pucca. Great day.

Jack,
Why is there no mixture screw in your carb :o there should be, on the LH side of the carb, or has it fallen out, that could be your problem.

Ian,
There is no petrol leak that I know of, I replaced all the rubber petrol hoses with the new ones.
When I get the problem sorted out I will be happy to attend one of the meetings in Bendigo. I got 2 beetles, '68 1500 is my daughters, mine is '76 1600.
Cheers, Jack.

[Edited on 21-9-2003 by bojac]

Dave,
there is only one screw to adjust on the side of the carby, that does not seem to be making any significant difference in fuel consumption. My '76 1600 beetle has got 2 screws to udjust. It uses less petrol.
Jack.

Hey Jack,
Im from shepp as well. cant say ive seen your cars??? Ive got a blue type 3 square lowered with empi 5 spokes (if that means anyting to you). How is your oil level? Does your oil smell like petrol? is your case filling up with fuel from possible leak at the fuel pump?

ps. love to see your cars....

Steven

VW54,
thanks,
good point, I will observe that. When tank full and driving and turning left, there was some petrol spilage I noticed once. Maybe from under petrol cup, or somwhere else.
Jack

Hi Steve,
thanks for reply.
Now that you mentioned oil level, it seamed strange to me, I checked it on the weekend and oil level was higher. I will go now and smell it.
You can have a look at the cars one day.

Jack.

Definetely check the fuel in oil scene.

This is a recipe for trouble if not sorted and can lead to fire.
Drain your oil abnd check. You will easily be able to smell it

Yeah Jack,
How did you go?
Had the same thing happen to the square although at that point i just took it to Jeff Keenan to fix it for me. Unfortunately he is no longer a mechanic. Do you know of a decent mechanic around here that knows VW's? Cos i have come across a tosser or two that i had to explain the engine was in the back of my wagon. Since then ive been totally DIY....
Steven

Hi Steven,

I have got petrol in the oil, can't smell it very well, but the level of oil is a lot higher.
Just got today new fuel pump, so over the weekend I will fit it in and change the oil. I do most of the work myself, Jeff no longer gets his hands dirty. There isn't anyone around here as you were saying.
Send me an email to bojac2@yahoo.com, will give you my mob number.
Jack.

Hi Blu74l,
you are right, thanks.
It is a bad situation.
Jack.

Update.
Fuel pump replaced with new, new oil in the engine. Will see what happens.
I took apart the original pump, didn't see any holes in the membrane...puzzling.
Jack.

Haha, that's nothing!

I get 100km from 25L
1835cc though, brand new so no leaks or anything. Can't wait to get twin carbys so I get better mileage LOL!

That much !
Like a 12 cylinder Rolls Royce, what is going on?
Jack.

Update.

New fuel pump, can't see any petrol leaks, still using 17.6l/100km around the town.
Jack.

any black smoke coming out the tail pipes when you rev it ?

does it idle OK?

Anyone stealing fuel from your car!

Hi Craig,

stealing fuel.....no
idles ok
black smoke ...yes
???
Jack

If black smoke at idle then your idle circuit is way too rich.
IF you can borrow a carb try replacing it.
Otherwise get a rebuild kit and check your jets
Does it back fire???

you are either loosing fuel, using too much to make it go or not using it efficiently.

I would put a rebuild kit in the carby. Blow all the passages out with compressed air and soak the bits in a good carb cleaner overnight and blow it out again. Check for air restrictions in the intake. Clogged airfilter, a rag, leaves etc.

Does it run hot?

Check timing full advance with the vacuum blocked, then see if the vacuum advance is working.

I have seen a 'one screw' late model carb before, it actually had two but the mixture screw was capped off so it stayed at factory recommended lean ness. Could have been an ADR thing as a few cars I have seen of that era had the mixture screws blocked off.

Thanks Guys,

it smokes black when revved up, I have cleaned carby. It seems to me it runs to rich, filter clean (oil filter).
It does not backfire.

All new distributor cap, rotor, all spark plug leads new, points new.

It is hard to say if it runs hot, how to judge it?

Filter has got some flaps on the intake, maybe they are restricting air flow.

To start hot car I need to start it on the full throttle, sounds like gets flooded a bit.
I have reduced the petrol level a bit in the carby (slightly thicker washer).

Now with the timing...you know like you can slightly udjust it by turning the distributor left or right.....on this one I can not turn it (loose clamp).

On my '76 I can do that, on this one '68 1500 I can;t.
Is there some trick to it, or different approach is needed?
Mayby a rebuild kit for the carby as you are saying.
Any input appreciated, have to solve this fuel thing.
Jack.