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Thu May 22, 2003 2:58 pm

I am doing my first tune-up on my 75 Super Beetle, and I am having trouble understanding how to check and adjust the ignition timing. I have both the Haynes manual and the Bentley, and can still not make to much sense of it. It is a fuel injection engine, if that makes any difference. Any input or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thu May 22, 2003 6:08 pm

Can you get your hands on the book by Muir? How To Keep Your VW Alive Forever? It has a step-by-step procedure for the tune up. I have Haynes and Muir and I found Muir better for the first-timer, and Haynes good to have after you've worked on the beetle a while. The Bugshop web site also has lots of maintenance info. I've done the tune up on mine and I followed Muir religiously plus I asked questions here. Easier than having someone give you the whole procedure here. Although you never know, someone might.

Thu May 22, 2003 6:48 pm

I have a website about my 1975 Superbeetle. http://75_super.tripod.com In the tech section, I have information on how to time your fuel_injected bug.

Thu May 22, 2003 8:21 pm

This is easy, you must be thinking too much.
Don't worry happens to me all the time.
First did you adjust the valves? if not do so.
Second did you put the multi meter on the coil, set it to Tac and check the idle speed?
If not, do so, Idle speed is 800 to 950 for manual cars & 850 to 1000 for autoslop.
If not look at the bad picture (5-2) on page 11(Fuel Injection) in the Bentley Manual.
What ever you do DON'T ADJUST IT LIKE picture (5-1)!!!!!!!
Go get your timing light. It has 3 wires off it.
Pos goes to the hot side of the coil.
The one with the black wires.
(not the big thick one in the middle.)
(not the one with the green wire going to the distributor).
Neg. goes to something metal on the engine.
The sensor thing goes on #1 spark plug wire.
Pop off the dist cap, see the line on the rim, that's #1, put the cap back on,
and put the sensor on the spark plug wire just above were that line was on the rim.
MAKE SURE ALL THE WIRES ARE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE FAN BELT!!!!!
By hand turn the motor over till you see the one v-groove in the crank pulley.
It will be 180 degrees from a paint spot on the pulley.
See the seam were the two parts of your case come together?
That V-grooves lines up with the seam in your case when your engine is
properly timed.
So now you know what to look for>>>
What you got one of those degree pulleys!
Than its 5 degrees before top dead center
( 5 degrees to the left of TDC, left is the drives side here in the USA).
So now you know what to look for>>> Again.
MAKE SURE ALL THE WIRES ARE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE FAN BELT!!!!! AGAIN !!!!!
Go start her up, shine the timing light at the pulley & case seem area.
Does the V-groove appear somewhere near the seam every time the light comes on?
It should, if not one of your connections is wrong.
No light at all means you got Pos or Neg. wrong.
Light appearing but no V-grove anywhere near the seam?
You got the sensor wire on the wrong plug. Move it till you get it.
So now the light is flashing and the V-groove is right on the seam,
(Cool you are done), or close but not right on the seam.
This part is scary for neubees, so go shut the motor off.
Under the dist is a clamp, loosen the clamp nut with a 10MM socket
ON A 6" extension (You'll see later).
You may have to you a 10mm wrench on the back side.
If you are using a 13mm STOP! your on the wrong one.
Just loosen it a little. Now go start the car again.
Go back and shine the light at the Pulley again.
By turning the distributor body A LITTLE you will see the V-grove move
closer or further from the seam.
If the distributor body won't turn, get out the 10MM with the 6" extension
and loosen the clamp bolt a little more.
The EXTENSION KEEPS YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM THE MOVING PULLEYS>>>> SEE !!!!!!!
Try it again, now that you got the V-grove right on the seam,
Tighten the 10mm nut tight, check the timing again.
If the V-groove is on the seam you are done.
If the bottom of the V- groove lines up with the seam exactly you are really done.
Check that 10mm nut to be sure it's tight. Check the timing one last time.
If the V-grove is on the seam, that's close enough for a fuel injected car.
If you adjusted the timing 3 times until the bottom of the V-groove is exactly
on the seam, than you are anal retentive, JUST LIKE ME.
Good Luck

Thu May 22, 2003 8:24 pm

A60, I couldn't have said it better myself!

Thu May 22, 2003 8:31 pm

" Than its 5 degrees before top dead center"
( 5 degrees to the left of TDC, left is the drives side here in the USA).

A-60... isn't it 5 degrees ATDC on that model? to the left is after TDC?, I know you know what's going down so I think it must be a typo, I have done the same thing trying to type out that much info...

Beetle 1975-1979 * 1600 FI Manual Trans

Distributor: VW 043-905-205H, Bosch 0231 176 044
Can Use:
Points: 01 011
Condensor: 02 074
Rotor: 04 033
Dust Cover: 039-905-241, Bosch 1230 500 139 > 1230 500 147
Cap: 03 010
Distributor Cap Clip: 034-905-265, Bosch 1231 251 033
Parts Kit (Shims, Washers & Hardware): 059-998-211, Bosch 1237 010 007
Coil: 00 012
Vacuum Can: 07 114
Ignition Wires: 09 001
Spark Plug: W8AC

Timing Set At:: 5deg ATDC @ 800-950rpm w/strobe, vacuum hose(s) connected.
Advance/Retard Range: Vacuum: 5-8deg Adv, 11-13deg Ret; Centrifugal: 6-12deg @ 1500rpm, 20-23deg @ 3500rpm

Thu May 22, 2003 9:42 pm

Awesome, thank you all, I'll give it a shot tomorrow and let you know how it goes.