Hey,

Long time reader, first time writer and I just got my first beetle last night!! WOOT!! I bought a 1970 Super Beetle with the 1500 engine.

My first concern is that apparently one of the valve's have gone, I have no idea how the beetle's work and where to start. So how do I change the valves?

Secondly, the original owner put a twin carby set up on it and apparently by going what the previous owner said, it doesn't run too well with twin carby. Should I change back to a single, if so how?

Thirdly, the brakes, he told me he just replaced the brakes a few months ago, however when you drive it, it seems the brakes are slightly on, the car will hardly roll before coming to a stop like someone applied the brakes. Also when pressing down on the brakes its very stiff and they hardly work.

I would really appreciate it if I could get help from some fellow Beetle lovers,

Cheers!!

1. bleed brakes.
2. adjust the drums and handbrake cables.
3. a super beetle should come with a 1600 engine, not a 1500.
4. twin carbs will be fine if they are tuned correctly. they may need a rebuild, or the intake gaskets may be leaking air.

Congratulations on your first VW!

The first thing you need to do, if you intend working on your VW yourself, is go buy a decent VW workshop manual. The Bentley and Haynes manuals are very good, and the Australian Gregorys/Scientific manuals are also very comprehensive. These are excellent if you already have some mechanical knowledge but are unfamiliar with VWs. If you are a complete workshop beginner, buy the VW for the Complete Idiot book by John Muir. All of these are easily found on Ebay - just do a search on VW Workshop Manual.

Superbugs were introduced in Australia in 1971, and came with 1600 twin-port engines, as Cl Mustard has said. If yours is a 1970 1500, then it isn't a Superbug. Normal Beetles have torsion-bar front suspension, and the spare tyre sits almost upright in its front compartment. Superbugs have a bulgy nose with Macpherson strut front suspension, and the spare tyre sits completely flat and horizontal.

You can tell if your valves are gone by doing a compression check - the workshop manual will show you how. Fixing the valves involves removing the engine, and stripping it partially down to remove the heads for repair. You would probably want to install new pistons and cylinders at the same time, so it's a reasonably big job. Your local VW specialist workshop can do this for you, and service your brakes at the same time. Tell us where you are and we can recommend a good workshop.

For a first-time VW owner, it's probably easier to have a VW specialist get everything working for you first, then you can drive safely and happily while you learn all about your Bug. Good luck!

Thanks for your help!!

Thanks for telling me about the super bug, as I said before, I have never owned one and was told it was one.

As for the brakes, I can do them at home. As for the engine well maybe it is a good idea to get someone to help me out. Unfortunately though it isn't registered and I am currently working on the body to get the rust out.

I'm located in Cessnock (hunter valley), a list of nearby VW mechanics would help me A LOT!

Not sure about Cessnock, but Ian's VW workshop is at Unit 3/30 Shipley Dr, Rutherford. Phone him or Rose on 0427 550 203 .

They are also organising the VW run to their workshop, and Morpeth later, on Sunday 2nd May. Try to come along if you are free - you can talk VWs all day and have a BBQ.

Attach a photo of your pride and joy and we can probably tell you a bit more about it.

Rutherford is just 30 minutes away from me so no big problem there.

Do you know what the standards are to get a blue slip?

Ok so after having a good look today at my beetle I am very upset

The whole car is going to need a respray... the previous owner sprayed it yellow, however they only did one coat so it's very dull, when I patched it up the yellow I used was way too bright, took it to a panel shop to get the exact paint match and it's the same yellow I'm using. So know anywhere cheap I could get it done? Does anyone know the estimate I would be paying? I'm not changing colour so the interior doesn't need to be done and the windows only need to be masked.

Sunroof... well it leaks I have to contact a sunroof mob and see how much it's going to cost to replace it.

Look like its going to be a while until I can get her on the road.

The brake drag may be something as simple as lack of free travel at the master cylinder pushrod,this will cause the brakes to drag as the fluid can't return.Seeing Ian is a good move as I think he also does blueslips.Good luck. Cheers Les

Just did a quick search and I can get an unregistered vehicle permit for 28 days. Should give me enough time to get the brakes repaired. Got a quote from a few people about the valves and there all asking for about 1k which is pretty expensive.

Just a quick update:

Can anyone tell me how the brakes should feel when you depress the pedal.

The brakes are slowly feeling better (havn't adjusted handbrake yet, still braking when driving), could it possibly be the new pads are wearing in?

Doing a compression test on tuesday, however it seems the engine seems to be running fine after it warms up. Doesn't seem to be skipping. I'll be checking that the dizzy is firing properly too while doing the compression test.

Can anyone get me onto anyone who sells good rubber kits? The smaller windows on the front need the rubbers replaced.

Cheers. Sorry for double posting

EDIT:
Just spoke to a few previous beetle owners tonight in person, they got in the car tried the brakes, listened to the engine. Aparently the brakes are fine, however they are grabbing a little when you drive, and the engine seems fine, it just needs a bit of a tune up.