Guys

I cant get my 1600 sp beetle to start. engine turns over and has good strong sparks at all four plugs and fuel is getting to the carb. but it just will not fire up.
Could there be a blockage in the carb somewhere? or any other suggestions?

if you have a helper, try getting them to turn the motor over while you manualy choke the carby with your hand?
or the timing might be out?

[Edited on 5-4-2005 by akean1]

a leek between the carbs and heads, rusted through heat riser?

sure enough fuel is getting through - bloked filter or clagged pump ?

does it sound like it has compression?

take the air cleaner off and pump the throttle at the carby. you should hear fuel squirt in as a hiss (prob smell it too). remember 9 out of 10 carby problems are NOT the carby. if it has fuel up to it and squirts when you pump it, it's unlikely to be the carby.

check the timing, and that it has compression. Did it suddenly just not start one day, or have you done any work on the car?

it just didnt stat one day. was fine before i will check the compression as i suspect it might have lost it.

id check your points and set your timing statically. also maybe check your leads are in the right plugs on the dissy. a few weeks ago someone switched mine around. took me a while to realise thats what it was.

if u take the aircleaner off the carbie and pull the throttle arm down u should see fuel squirt like secoh said. if this is happening and u set the timing and points. and still nothing maybe try replacing condensor. after that id say u have a more serious issue.

Nick

Take the air cleaner off and look down the throat of the carby
Now depress the accelerator or do it at the carby if You know how... just push the end of the cable in...
Look inside the carby at the same time to see if the accelerator pump is working... You will see the fuel squirting out and down the throat of the carby...

Also make sure the auto choke hasn't jammed shut with cooler weather...
to adjust the choke, undo the 3 small screws slightly and turn the choke assembly clockwise....
this will open the choke flap...
which if shut completely... is choking the engine.. not enough air...
also first check that the electromagnetic fuel shut off valve is working..
turn the ignition on... pull wire off the end of the valve....
and when the wire is touched to the end of the valve You should hear it click...
If it clicks its OK...If it doesn't click its NOT working... = answer

If You have spark at the spark plugs the points must be OK...

While You are doing all this with the ignition ON... the choke element should be heating up.... feel the element to see if its getting hot... as even if its jammed shut.. it "should" still open after the element heats up...

and compression just doesn't disappear overnight....
its a wear problem....

If all these things are working then the engine should fire up
FUEL - AIR - SPARK....
timing shouldn't have changed overnight also...

any Questions, just ask..

cheers
Lee Noonan --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug 

compression CAN disappear over night if the motor has been driven overheating, softening the rings. It may have continued to run on what compression it had left but been unable to start cold with low compression.

I doubt it's that, but best to clarify.

For the last time, leave the carby alone and check your points gap.