new to this site - hi all
just bought a 68 semi auto beetle
a few minor rust issue to be sorted
engine purs though a bit greasy on the outside
the main question i have is what are the common easily fixed problems with semi autos
it grinds into gear which does not seem right or proper
i have a complete spare transmission with servos ; reservoirs and soem other bits that are usually attached
any advice on how to sort this out - some one must have the same problem ??

clutch issue
possible servo vacuum leak or vacuum hose leak
also check contact points @ gear lever and wire

thanks
so much i had suspected - i have all the servo system and hoses of a working transmission so will attach them and see if Jack changes smoother

gsa2at,
Can also be it needs freeplay adjusted. Does your car "slam" into gear?

http://www.vwar.org  is the site you should have a browse through for semi automatics.

You have spares, so you'll be O.K.

PM me and I'll forward you a copy of the bentley section for semi-auto's. A few of us here own semi-auto's so welcome to the lunatic fringe!

P.S. Take a digi photo of your engine, that includes the CV and post or PM. We can spot issues a mile away

Regards
Ctefeh

that vwar is amazing - thanks for the link
i would like a manual for this car - is the bentley the best one to get ???

engine photo - will post one with cvs tomorrow

looks like its missing a vacuum line
Hey Sean ,did someone mention semi-auto now where's Lee

is that red hose even connected to anything?

But yes there should be a second hose going to the back of the vacuum unit.

Bentleys is the best...$30-$50 on Ebay

GSa2at,
As Pod has rightfully pointed out you are missing a vacuum hose. Your power wire from the coil isn't fused either.
Spanky time for eraser for running said vacuum line direct from his inlet manifold .
That CV connection only needs 5 In/Hg to be fully activated!

Paul,
Given it's a '68 as well, where is Lee?

Enjoy
Sean

heres mine

HI

I'm Here...

Here is a pic of My beetle... engine compartment...

1968 model... with 1971 air cleaner...

LEE

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

I couldn't see My pics??

LEE

Anyone see My pics??


Not showing up here

LEE

yep showing on this end

Thanks for that...

Been pulling My hair out trying to find the problem...

it does show how many times they are downloaded...

but no other info....

at all... thanks...

LEE

LOL...pics r there......Lee and his technicolour dreamcoat...!

Hey gsa2at - is your car beige ? Savannah beige to be exact ?

The power to the coil being fused is a good point - mine isn't either - better fix that right now.

Pods is the only one with the control valve small vac line hooked up right

gsa2at, yours is missing completley which is probably the source of all your problems and eraser ur carbs been swapped for a non ported one and someones tee'd it into the main vac line

obviously it works tho

and dan, yea thats good ol Savannah beige

Yes Joel,
I had My small vacuum hose hooked up incorrectly for 3 years before I drilled out another port...

If this small hose is not connected to the carby, it takes 5+ seconds before the control valve can work.. this could be sort of fixed, by adjusting the control valve...

When I connected My hose to the correct port, I had to adjust the control valve to be Faster, as I had Way too much vacuum before....

cheers

LEE

Main problem with Autosticks - is mechanics who know nothing about them... it only takes a leaking hose to stop them working correctly... or a sucked in hose.... LEE

here is my other one

Quote:

Dan and Lee are Semi auto masters!!!!!!! Listen to them!!!

found the hose in question tucked away at the back of the engine bay
now when i move the stick there is a lurch of the car and a whistling airy sound from the back of the car
forward gears engage ok at rest - although clunks a fair bit
reverse is still grinding like hell
i think i will replace all the vac hoses anyone got the type and dimensions required - where do i get em ??

put a manual in him hahah

dudo you are trouble LOL
serious answers only please LOL

I used vacuum hose from supercheap - i just took a cutting from the old hose to make sure the I.D. is the same.
I also bought some new clamps too. So far my hoses have been great. Some of the softer hoses may collapse under
some of the stronger vacuum, so be careful - some of the other guys on this forum probably would recommend a higher
quality hose with metal reinforcement - but the cost of this stuff can be very prohibitive. In the first instance, use the cheaper stuff
to isolate the problem, then buy good quality stuff down the track when u have sourced a reliable supplier.

Also, that whistling sound may be a perforated bladder in ur vacuum servo. lie under the car and get someone to touch the gearshift
lever (with brakes on !) and see if the servo is doing its job of pushing the clutch linkage.

Yeah Dudo, watch what ur saying........I heard rumours that Lee will travel miles and miles to run people over with his semi-auto

Quote:

Originally posted by jedidan Yeah Dudo, watch what ur saying........I heard rumours that Lee will travel miles and miles to run people over with his semi-auto