My beetle "hisses" & "spits"

BeftGoesLeft · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:55 am Post subject: My beetle "hisses" & "spits"

Just wanted to know if anyone had any ideas where I should start looking to diagnose a weird noise my bug makes..

When driving, it makes a little "spit" and "hiss" noise. It's not a loud "pop" or "boom" like a back fire. If it helps, it seems to happen most during deceleration and following a gear change.

I just recently had it at a shop for a few tune up procedures and they didn't catch this one (yes, it made the noise prior to me dropping it off with them) but, during the visit, they said they straightened out the timing.

If it helps, it's a 1958 36hp 1600. I'll try and babysit the thread as much as possible today - if I can get anymore info for anyone that might have any ideas, let me know!

Thanks in advance. I <3 Samba - you guys are always so helpful!

DerekR · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:15 am Post subject: Re: My beetle "hisses" & "spits"

[quote=" it's a 1958 36hp 1600." [/quote]

Are you sure? 36horse and a 1600 are 2 very different engines.
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djkeev · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:17 am Post subject:

By chance you don't mean the famous VW Bug "Fweem". It is an airy, whistle like noise on acceleration. If so, completely normal.

Dave
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BeftGoesLeft · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:52 am Post subject:

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'm no bug master.. but my husband who seems to know more than me on this said it's a 36hp, 1600, dual port. Not sure if that clears anything up.

Also, I have heard the "fweeeem" noise you speak of and was ever so slightly alarmed.. So it's good to know that can be crossed of the concerns list! Nah, it's more of a hiss spit noise.. Sounds like a lama spittin up a goober, if anyone knows what that sounds like.. o.O

drscope · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:13 am Post subject:

I used to have a cat that would hiss and spit. Haven't seen it lately.

Just a warning, if thats what it is, don't try to rub her belly! She really doesn't like that!

In 1958 that car would have come with a 36 horse power engine. 1192cc single port 6 volt electrics engine.

The 1600 dual port didn't come along until much latter (1971 I think) and stock would have had 12 volt electrics and put out 60 horse power.

So you can't have both a 36 horse power 1600 dual port.

On the other hand I have had a few 1600 dual ports that only put out about 36 horse power....so I guess your husband could be correct......
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KTPhil · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:15 am Post subject:

KTPhil · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:18 am Post subject:

Spitting noise is a slight backfire (burning of an overly rich mixture in the exhaust system), muffled by what I bet is a fairly new muffler.

Check for leaks at all joints (incuding at the heads), check the ignition timing, then try adjusting your idle mixture a little more weak (lean), maybe 1/4 turn clockwise, then set the idle speed to no more than 7-800 rpm.

BeftGoesLeft · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

You guys are all to funny.. thanks for the advice - marital and bug related!

Edit: I love Click & Clack. And the car is Black :3
Edit AGAIN: That rhymes. :3

Hammarlund · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:55 am Post subject:

(1) Do a compression check or have it done, now. The shop should have done it when you took it in, so start by calling them and asking if they did so. If they did check the compression, get the numbers from them and write them down. If they say something like, "We checked it and it was ok, don't worry about it," have it checked again because you need those numbers.

The reason why this is a big deal is that if there is hot exhaust gas being pushed past a valve or head/cylinder seal, it will do permanent damage in short order.

If the car passes the compression test, heave a big sigh of relief, smile, and start looking for a vacuum leak a la Phil's advice above.

(2) If the shop was not a Volkswagen specialist, the odds are not good they knew how to set your timing correctly, especially if you have a 009 mechanical advance or other after-market distributor. Most shops where they do not work on air-cooled VWs regularly look up the info in the shop manual and set it that way. The problem with this is that many of these cars no longer have the stock distributor, and the information in the manual may be wrong!

If you have the stock distributor, the odds are they got the timing right, but I would check it anyway (again, a la Phil), because even the best mechanics make a mistake now and again.

As far as marital advice is concerned, you have driven your cattle to the wrong market, and in concert with the physician's motto of primum non nocere, I beg to be excused.
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Ga bug · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:18 am Post subject:

Mine hisses an spits also but its ok.Its really the pea shooter
muffler.It spitting peas out.

BeftGoesLeft · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:29 am Post subject:

Hammar - Thank you for the advice.

I did take it to an old VW specific shop and they did do a compression test. They gave me the numbers.. I believe it was 110, 115, 115, and 120.. Something along those lines. They said, as far as what they look for, these numbers were good and suggested no additional services to it.

During my bugs (expensive) stay, they did install a new distributor and set the timing for me, which I had originally thought was the issue with the puff/hiss/spit noises; but here I am with the issue still O.o

Hammarlund · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:19 pm Post subject:

duginabug · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:46 pm Post subject:

I have an ex-wife that would "hiss" and "spit" on occasion. d'oh!

Nerver thought about checking her head for leaks.
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KTPhil · Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject:

BeftGoesLeft · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:23 am Post subject:

LOL - you guys are to funny.

I called the shop about the problem. Guess it's gonna be one of those things that's a little tough to figure out just by a basic description on the forum here.. They said they will take a look at it and I'll just swing it by them today.

I appreciate the help and advice here.. You guys are the best!!

EDIT: @ Hammar - yeah I felt that the shop i went to took good care of my bug.. I don't hold this against them - I don't think they drove it around enough to really get the full experience of the noise it's been making.


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