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Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:31 am

Hello this is my first post on the forums as I am a new member and a first time bug owner. My Dad had a old super beetle when I was younger that I loved to drive around with him in and I recently got the opportunity to buy one. I found this bug on the side of the road and promptly bought it without really doing too much research on bugs ( I know noob mistake :oops: ) It ran just fine for about a month but after the points went out and the timing had to be readjusted so I adjusted the valves and changed the oil while I was at it but was wondering if there was any other advice regarding maintenance or performance upgrades. The car runs fine more or less but still has a bit of hesitation in first and second and sometimes has trouble getting up grades in third and fourth.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:41 am

I'm pretty new to the scene too, but the biggest piece of advice I can give you is go pick up "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" by John Muir. This book is a must-have.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:53 am

Calexander wrote: I'm pretty new to the scene too, but the biggest piece of advice I can give you is go pick up "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" by John Muir. This book is a must-have.

I actually already own it :D I just noticed that it is sometime not completely clear and a lot of the people on the forums are quite good at explaining things which is good as I cant ask the book any questions on its explanations. :(

Thank you for the reply though. I will try and post some pics ASAP

Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:00 am

The bently service manual is pretty awesome too, btw. Also, super or standard? I've got 3 '73 supers haha

Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:25 am

It is a standard with a 1600 cc according to the previous owner, and wow 3 beetles I am quite jealous. :)
It also came with a couple of spare parts which I have found out are very necessary to keep in the car (accelerator and clutch cable)
Here are a few pics sorry for the quality they are night pics

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:04 am

Well it looks like an auto, with an electric fuel pump and some "fancy" wiring, the best thing you can do is if your not mechanically adavanced is to find a vw mechanic and take it too him to get it checked out, he will be able to tel you everything you need to know in he short term. Also read as much VW Stuff as you can, like evrything possible.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:09 am

What do you mean by "auto"
I think the first thing I will do is relocate that fuel filter so I don't have any fire problems. I am ordering some new parts online right now, and so begins my first project car.
I'm really excited :D

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:15 am

i didnt fully read your first ost bu the rubber hose from the manifold looks like the one that ive got blocked off from my old autostick bug. The other thing i would do is buy some hoseclamps and clamp everything.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:24 am

Will definitely take your advice on the clamps, on the way home form school the small hose on the left took a dive into bottom pulley :shock: thus it has a fresh clamp. I will swing by the Mercedes Benz dealership and buy some new ones for the whole bug as I read in another post that they are the best to use.

P.S. I wish it was an automatic my girlfriend is a gear grinding maniac :cry:

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:40 am

Well, I have 3 but only 1 is going to be nice. (Unless I got forward with the hayabusa motor in the middle of my beater that I've been fantasising about).

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:42 am

Ha, my girlfriend wont drive mine, she will change gears sometimes but.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:50 am

71-BEETLE-SEDAN wrote: Ha, my girlfriend wont drive mine, she will change gears sometimes but.
I remember the conversation when i first got the bug last month...

Me: so you are sure you can drive stick now, remember the integra went through two clutches while we have been going out and is now dead... not to say it is your fault it just seems like too big of a coincidence
her: :cry:
me: oh honey i didn't mean it that way here start her up lets go for a drive now back her up nice and easy
her: proceeds to shift car into reverse without pushing in clutch (car stalls and my soul screams)
me: its OK honey its just a weird shift pattern here the car in front of us moved just ease her out in first
her: proceeds to shift car into first without pushing in clutch. gets out of car and trades place with me, "you know honey its your project car i think you should drive from now on" :oops:

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:52 am

LeviMan2001 wrote: Well, I have 3 but only 1 is going to be nice. (Unless I got forward with the hayabusa motor in the middle of my beater that I've been fantasising about).

That's pretty crazy did you just have a hayabusa lying around?

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:57 am

hope it will get to this at some point

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:48 pm

The next thing you have to do is to get some sort of list made up of what needs doing next and what you want to do to it. And make sure you keep some parts in your car, like a spare fan belt, fire extinguisher, flat screwdriver, jack, 19mm socket/wheel nuts. All of these are for emergencies.