Beetle doesn’t run very well

[jinx758]

I'm just gonna slink back under my rock, outta the light with my tail between my legs to lick my wounds.

The FI system is a good one if all components are up to snuff. Don't assume a hose looks good or piece of plastic isn't cracked.
Good on ya, mate !

There's a 51 page sticky on FI & have been told the Bentley manual has good stuff. Knowledgeable members on FI are here, too.

Good luck ... jinx
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" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford

It's not unlike the same difference

You can't push a rope


VALVES (cold)
POINTS
TIMING
CARB (fully warmed engine)

SCRAPE ALL GROUNDS

My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor

[Marks_Bug]

In the same boat on this thread. Recently purchased my bug in Oct. I was a little leery about the way it was running (hard starting, rough idle, poor response) but figured a tune-up wouldn't hurt.

So the first thing I did was 'the whole nine yards'- new plugs; new points and condenser; new rotor and cap; new spark plug wires (the old boots were pretty crispy!). I found all the valves had no clearance. Compression- 100 to 110 all around. Cleaned out the oil bath air cleaner. Changed fuel filter, etc.

Now she starts on the first revolution and purrs like a... Beetle!

I found a dangerous situation while messing around in the engine. The old fabric/rubber fuel line was 'weeping'! Got some modern fuel line and replaced all the pieces in the engine compartment. Too many horror stories about burned up Bugs!

Thanks for the support on this post (and many others) I'm a newcomer to The Samba, too, and I'm just discovering the treasure trove of information available from so many knowledgeable people on this forum!
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I'd be perfect if I wasn't so humble

Others owned- 1959 Beetle, 1959 Beetle, 1969 Beetle, 1971 Type 3, 1978 Bus

[459032]

How I determine which distributor? It looks to be the dual vacuum. Rock auto has a selection of condensors and not sure which to pick.

[VW_Jimbo]

[459032]

0231176043

That’s the number I see on the distributor
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1978 VW Beetle convertible w/ FI
1978 VW Bus w/ FI

[Nicholas D]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/bosch_tune_up_parts.php
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71 Westfalia
73 Beetle

[459032]

Removed hoses on auxiliary air valve. It’s fully closed when the car is cold.
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1978 VW Beetle convertible w/ FI
1978 VW Bus w/ FI

[VW_Jimbo]

Clean it! Brake cleaner works. Allow it to fully dry out. No blasting with compressed air. Should free up.
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[459032]

Thanks for all your help. This thing runs a bunch better now.

I found out the high idle was cause by the big plug/screw on the front of the throttle body. Looks like it backed out from the vibration. Once I screwed that in, the idle came down and the motor was responsive to the screw on the afm.
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1978 VW Beetle convertible w/ FI
1978 VW Bus w/ FI

[459032]

Idle came down, timing mark wasn’t erratic. Throttle response was great afterwards.

Cleaning out the aux air valve helped as well but I don’t think it was a problem yet.

I still have a hard start issue but I think I know how to fix it.
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1978 VW Beetle convertible w/ FI
1978 VW Bus w/ FI

[VW_Jimbo]

[459032]

Can the aux air valve be adjusted? I feel like it should be open more.

I threw the one I have in the freezer. The valve opened more and I think it was easier to start. Had a fast idle at first and came down fairly quickly.

The next day started it without throwing the aux air valve in the freezer first. It had a hard start and didn’t idle fast at first.

It’s a new pump, filter and lines.
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1978 VW Beetle convertible w/ FI
1978 VW Bus w/ FI

[VW_Jimbo]