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Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:01 pm

I have no idea whats wrong but I'm kind of new to vw.. anyways my 73 super got hard to start and would take 2 turns of the key to start about a month ago then one day it took about 7 turns to start so I didn't try to start it since then and I saw the distributor cap and rotor were worn so I bought new ones and put them on today. Now when I tried to start it wouldn't start and made a backfire noise on one attempt. I check the battery and it is good so I have no idea.. any help is appreciated :)

Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:41 pm

OrangeBugger wrote: . Now when I tried to start it wouldn't start and made a backfire noise on one attempt.

firing order is wrong.

Fri Jul 25, 2014 3:45 pm

Joel wrote: OrangeBugger wrote: . Now when I tried to start it wouldn't start and made a backfire noise on one attempt.

firing order is wrong.

So I put the wires in the wrong spots? how would I resolve this now that I don't know where they originally were?

Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:08 pm

Pull your distributor cap off and look for the notch on the rim, that should be where #1 cylinder fires.

From there the firing order is 1-4-3-2 in a clockwise rotation, see the pic for cylinder locations.

Once you have verified all the spark plug leades are in the correct location on the cap, perform the tuneup procedure outlined here: http://www.vw-resource.com/tune_up.html

Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:10 pm

You just need to find #1 TDC.
I have got a vid showing how to do it on youtube but I cant get the link on my phone.

its very simple though, just line up the TDC mark on the pulley and pop off the rhs rocker cover and make sure both #1valves are shut and not moving.
if they are moving you are on #3 Tdc and need to spin the pulley one full turn.

the rotor is now pointing at #1, just go clockwise, 4 3 2.

Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:16 pm

Thanks folks!

Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:24 pm

Mukluk, that diagram only applies to 009s and single port bugs.

Dual port distributors are 90 degrees anti clockwise.

Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:42 pm

Joel wrote: You just need to find #1 TDC.
I have got a vid showing how to do it on youtube but I cant get the link on my phone.

its very simple though, just line up the TDC mark on the pulley and pop off the rhs rocker cover and make sure both #1valves are shut and not moving.
if they are moving you are on #3 Tdc and need to spin the pulley one full turn.

the rotor is now pointing at #1, just go clockwise, 4 3 2.

Is changing the distributor going to help the starting? Or is the problem with the starter or something else?

Fri Jul 25, 2014 5:09 pm

Joel wrote: Mukluk, that diagram only applies to 009s and single port bugs.

Dual port distributors are 90 degrees anti clockwise.

The diagram is more so just to visually demonstrate how the plug leades are located in relation to each other and where the cylinders are located so he can trace the leades to verify they go where they should. Regardless of distributor installed, unless his engine has never been rebuilt there is always the possibility the distributor drive may have been clocked incorrectly when installed, hence one of the reasons I referenced to the tuneup procedure (which also details how to verify where TDC is truely located)... the other reason for referencing the tuneup procedure is that it is by far the best thing to perform in the case of any hard start or poor running complaint.

Fri Jul 25, 2014 5:56 pm

OrangeBugger wrote:

Is changing the distributor going to help the starting? Or is the problem with the starter or something else?

If the cap and rotor were badly worn down thaf would have been your hard starting issue.

the reason it wont fire now is you most likely jyst have the leads in the wrong order.

Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:00 pm

You should also check your ignition points in the distributor, they may be burnt or have a ridge on them keeping your engine from starting. Also, check the point gap and make sure they are set at .016''. If they are damaged, they should be replaced.

Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:43 pm

Joel wrote: You just need to find #1 TDC.
I have got a vid showing how to do it on youtube but I cant get the link on my phone.

its very simple though, just line up the TDC mark on the pulley and pop off the rhs rocker cover and make sure both #1valves are shut and not moving.
if they are moving you are on #3 Tdc and need to spin the pulley one full turn.

the rotor is now pointing at #1, just go clockwise, 4 3 2.
Here is a vid, maybe not the same one Joel was talking about since this one looks for movement on #3 rockers/valves. When #3 valves are moving #1 valves are closed and not moving. When the crank is at TDC and #1 valves are closed (not moving) then the engine is at TDC at the end of the compression stroke for #1 cylinder and the rotor will be pointing to where #1 plug wire should be installed on distributor cap.