Are air cooled VW unreliable

LEE 64 · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:24 am Post subject: Are air cooled VW unreliable

Why do some people say air cooled vw are less reliable than new cars or watered cooled cars are they less reliable ?

airkooledchris · Samba Member Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2713

any vehicle of a certain age is unreliable in the wrong hands.

sjbartnik · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:30 am Post subject:

The newest air-cooled VWs are 32 years old and have most likely been suffering through decades of neglect, incompetent mechanics, cheapskate owners, and crappy aftermarket parts.

So yeah, a 32+ year old VW is less reliable than a new modern car.

But also these cars were made in a different era. Back in the '50s/'60s/'70s when you bought a car you knew it would need frequent maintenance. At least every 3000 miles you need to do a service to it (and not just an oil change). If you don't do this, it won't last long and will not be reliable.

Modern cars are nearly maintenance free. All you have to do is change the oil once a year or so and keep on driving worry free. If you drive an old VW like that, you will be stranded before too long. In an old VW you have to maintain the ignition system, you have to maintain the valvetrain, and you have to maintain the fuel system (unless you have FI). Not to mention the fact that a lot of things that are 30-40 years old are worn out or will shortly be worn out.

If you want to drive an air cooled VW in 2015, you need to know how to work on it yourself or be wealthy so you can pay someone to work on it for you - if you can find someone knowledgeable to do so - the old school guys who really know air cooled VWs are disappearing fast.

If you want a car that you can just hop in and drive anytime anywhere with no worries, you want a more modern car.

sonofamitch · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:35 am Post subject:

Finding a good mechanic or parts store that carries ACVW stuff accounts for 90% of the unreliability. A good running air cooled engine can be just as reliable as a 2005 civic. I know for a fact that my bus runs a hell of a lot better than my roommate's cars simply because I take better care of it.
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LEE 64 · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 11:19 am Post subject: .

so there not less reliable just worn out ? and if it was new acvw well maintained just as reliable as a new car ?

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50353

How many piece of American steel do you see out on the road that date from the 60's and 70's? Up through the mid to late sixties a Ford or Chevy with 30K miles on it was considered old and due for a replacement, 60K was considered very high mileage.

Yes it is getting hard to find good parts, but worth the effort in the long run. I have taken parts from my 250K motor in and shown them to several automotive machinist and engine builders. If I don't tell them anything about the engine they came from first, they have all told me the engine they must have come from a low mileage engine there is so little wear on most of them.

Buy a GEX engine or build one using the same basic techniques and yes they will be undependable.

Brian · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 11:28 am Post subject:

why do people keep posting these hot button topics?
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Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

SGKent · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 11:32 am Post subject:

djdh68dlux · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 12:17 pm Post subject:

babysnakes · Samba Member Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 7108

No. I have four because I'm a glutton for punishment.

timvw7476 · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 2:07 pm Post subject: are air cooled vw unreliable

these questions are all well & good-
but can I retrofit ABS & airbags?
power steering?
T-tops?

Wasted youth · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 2:10 pm Post subject:

A unicycle can be unreliable. It can also break down and leave you stranded. What the heck are going to do when that 30 year old pedal finally snaps off as you try to climb that hill?

Laughing

skills@eurocarsplus · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: are air cooled vw unreliable

Brian · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 2:41 pm Post subject:

I would loooove airbags. Lift up around town and drop low on the freeway.

Power steering isn't too hard to fit in.

timvw7476 · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 5:29 pm Post subject: are air cooled vw unreliable

it's about time for the moderators to create a "loaded question" sub-forum
here are some starter questions-
should I change the oil?
is battery post maintenance necessary?
mine didn't come with keyfob!?
where can I get a replacement keyfob?
the keyfob I bought doesn't work the doors. do I need a special keyfob?
what's a solenoid?
the vtec seems to be broken?
where's fifth gear?
" sixth gear?
" overdrive? (for you oldsters)
& the radiator seems to be leaking black stuff out the back?

raygreenwood · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 5:36 pm Post subject:

Like every other term in this day and age.....the term reliable as far as automobiles are concerned....got reinterpreted by thr non mechanically inclined public years ago. Just go to a coffee shop and, ask virtually anyone what "reliable" means in an automobile.....and you will find by the current definition. ....that ACVW are indeed unreliable.

Back in the 50s, 60s and even 70s.....the term reliable meant....is one car more prone fo major mechanical failure than another. By that definition. ....when each car gets the care specified by the manufacturer. ....the ACVW....is quite reliable.

The modern version is...."how much maintenance does it require to keep it running and how often will I have to get my hands dirty under the hood".......by that definition the ACVW is very poor on reliability.

The modern car driver definition is.....a car that always starts and I never have to do anything at all to. Just ask around and thats what you will find. Ray

Brian · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 5:56 pm Post subject:

this is non-technical, so I'm going to move it.
_________________
Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

DadsOld74 · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 6:22 pm Post subject:

Well ...

I have a full stash of tools under the bonnet.

I have a spare dizzy, carb, and coil under my back seat. (I know ... I should order a clutch cable, throttle cable, and fuel pump.)

I have a pretty good set of VDO gauges on my dash that I've learned over the years that I really do need.

I have a tow bar leaning up against my house that is quick for my wife to grab if I ever have a serious problem.

And ... I drive my car anywhere I need to go without hesitation. I choose to rely on it.

Therefore, I guess it's reliable.
_________________
--Brian ('74 standard bug)

"If one does not fail at times, then one has not challenged himself." - Ferdinand Porsche

67jason · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:20 pm Post subject:

If they are unreliable then I am doing it wrong....my wife and I i daily a 67 bug and a 64 bus.
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64 bug

ernieballbass · Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 6:40 am Post subject:

i had a 2004 PT Cruiser (don't judge me) and a 2009 Volvo C30 in the past. my 1971 Super was not only more reliable, but it was cheaper to repair than both of them. ya, you have to do the maintenance yourself, but these vws are easy to work on.

the only thing i miss is a/c, but that's only when it's raining.
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