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calebthebaeleb
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Joined: April 09, 2018
Posts: 74
Location: Bay Area, California
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 Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:14 am Post subject: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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I just bought my first beetle last weekend and over this past week I've been working on getting it running. After fixing some of the electrical issues with the battery, the motor now turns over and will run but dies after a few seconds. I pour gas directly into the carb because the fuel pump needs to be replaced or there is a blockage in the fuel lines then crank it over. After a few cranks it comes to life but quickly dies.
What might be the problem? The owner we bought it from started it the day I got it and it ran longer than it is now. Thanks!
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1966 Pearl White Pigalle Edition w/Sunroof |
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Eric&Barb
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Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 24765
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:40 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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Could be anything from one end of the fuel system to the other. So start from the far front end and work to the other to find the problem.
There is a section of flexible fuel line under the fuel tank. Would loosen lug bolts on one of the front tires, jack up the front end to set on jack stands, remove the tire, and pull the fuel line off the body and drain the tank into a gas proof container. Be very careful not to cause a spark with the fuel line opened up. Something as simple as dragging a metal container across cement can start a fire...
See if the fuel stops flowing or slows way down as you drain it. Once tank is empty, remove it, clean it out and pull the outlet fitting to see if there is a problem or needs a new filter sock in the tank.
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bugheadred
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Joined: January 23, 2003
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:51 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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you can push weed Wacker line through the metal fuel line from the front to the back to make sure its clear changing all the soft line is a good idea new hose clamps (don't pull on the fuel line to pull it off the connections ) cut it with a razor blade first
Last edited by bugheadred on Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:54 am; edited 1 time in total |
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thomas.
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Location: South West (Pa.)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:52 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| I don't about you but I would try the easy stuff first like a clogged fuel filter or check to see if the fuel pump is pumping fuel. Take off the hose that attaches to the carb and point into container while someone trys to start. |
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calebthebaeleb
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Joined: April 09, 2018
Posts: 74
Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:52 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| Eric&Barb wrote: |
Could be anything from one end of the fuel system to the other. So start from the far front end and work to the other to find the problem.
There is a section of flexible fuel line under the fuel tank. Would loosen lug bolts on one of the front tires, jack up the front end to set on jack stands, remove the tire, and pull the fuel line off the body and drain the tank into a gas proof container. Be very careful not to cause a spark with the fuel line opened up. Something as simple as dragging a metal container across cement can start a fire...
See if the fuel stops flowing or slows way down as you drain it. Once tank is empty, remove it, clean it out and pull the outlet fitting to see if there is a problem or needs a new filter sock in the tank. |
Thank you, Ill try that when I get a chance. The other problem is that even when I pour gas directly into the carb, it only runs for a few seconds. My understanding is that it should run longer than that even with only gas in the carb.
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calebthebaeleb
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Joined: April 09, 2018
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Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:54 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| [email protected] wrote: |
| you can push weed Wacker line through the metal fuel line from the front to the back to make sure its clear |
Sounds like a great idea! My initial idea was to use my air compressor to shoot air through the line and push out what might be stuck in the line.
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calebthebaeleb
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Joined: April 09, 2018
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Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:56 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| thomas. wrote: |
| I don't about you but I would try the easy stuff first like a clogged fuel filter or check to see if the fuel pump is pumping fuel. Take off the hose that attaches to the carb and point into container while someone trys to start. |
Thanks that sounds great. I wasn't exactly sure how to diagnose if there was a fuel pump issue so that makes sense. I'll definitely try that.
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bugheadred
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calebthebaeleb
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Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:05 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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The fuel lines are definitely attached and running to the carb. They seem solid but I do want to move the fuel filter to under the tank or lower in the engine bay rather than over the distributor. Here's a picture of the line running to the carb.
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otis_bartleh
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:06 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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Just checking, you are putting fuel in the carb float bowl, not just down the carb throat, right? (not that this would explain the lack of fuel pump issue, but curious)
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Last edited by otis_bartleh on Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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KTPhil 
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:06 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| calebthebaeleb wrote: |
| Thank you, Ill try that when I get a chance. The other problem is that even when I pour gas directly into the carb, it only runs for a few seconds. My understanding is that it should run longer than that even with only gas in the carb. |
If you pour it down the carb throat, it will only run a couple of seconds until that fuel burns. On the other hand, if you instead use a hose to fill up the float bowl through the vent, it should run for a minute or two. |
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otis_bartleh
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:09 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| If you pour it down the carb throat, it will only run a couple of seconds until that fuel burns. On the other hand, if you instead use a hose to fill up the float bowl through the vent, it should run for a minute or two. |
We were thinking the same thing, at the same time!
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calebthebaeleb
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Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:13 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| otis_bartleh wrote: |
| Just checking, you are putting fuel in the carb float bowl, not just down the carb throat, right? (not that this would explain the lack of fuel pump issue, but curious) |
| KTPhil wrote: |
| If you pour it down the carb throat, it will only run a couple of seconds until that fuel burns. On the other hand, if you instead use a hose to fill up the float bowl through the vent, it should run for a minute or two. |
That might explain whats happening. I've been pouring it in the carb throat. Is the float bowl vent the large brass tube opening at the top of the carb:
[/img]
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fl59bug
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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Yes that is the float bowl vent. Try filling gas into that vent tube and that should fill the float bowl.
Also, when you run it from a cold start make sure the auto choke flap is adjusted properly and that 12 volts is going to the choke connection on the side of the carb. Cold engines like a little bit of choke when first getting started.
A properly adjusted choke flap will be closed lightly when first starting but will open up gradually as the engine runs. |
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KTPhil
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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So if it runs for a few minutes with a full bowl, then you have to dig further upstream to find where is failing... clogged lines, broken pump diaphragm, clogged filters or screens (at pump and at tank).
P.S. you are splashing gas very close to sparking generator brushes, so maybe put the air cleaner back on and wait a couple of minutes before cranking it over... and have a fire extinguisher handy. |
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calebthebaeleb
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Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| fl59bug wrote: |
Yes that is the float bowl vent. Try filling gas into that vent tube and that should fill the float bowl.
Also, when you run it from a cold start make sure the auto choke flap is adjusted properly and that 12 volts is going to the choke connection on the side of the carb. Cold engines like a little bit of choke when first getting started.
A properly adjusted choke flap will be closed lightly when first starting but will open up gradually as the engine runs. |
Thank you! I'll definitely try this when I get home. I'll update after I see how it goes.
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calebthebaeleb
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
So if it runs for a few minutes with a full bowl, then you have to dig further upstream to find where is failing... clogged lines, broken pump diaphragm, clogged filters or screens (at pump and at tank).
P.S. you are splashing gas very close to sparking generator brushes, so maybe put the air cleaner back on and wait a couple of minutes before cranking it over... and have a fire extinguisher handy. |
Yeah that's what I'm thinking; I'll go through the process of diagnosing those. I'm spending the weekend working on the fuel, electrics, and brakes.
I always keep a fire extinguisher close by when working on the electrics and fuel. When I put gas in I'm always careful to mop up anything that spills and let it evaporate before starting the engine. Thanks for the heads-up!
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tisius
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 6:28 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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So did you find the issue at stake finally?
(or have you given up and sold the car?  )
Please let us know how this was resolved 
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scottyrocks
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:06 am Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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For piece of mind, I went through my entire fuel system from tank through carb.
Tank - removed and cleaned
Steel lines - blown out in both directions
rubber lines - replaced
carb - rebuilt
pump - tested
filter - replaced and relocated from engine compartment to under tank (next to transaxle would be good, too)
I'm curious how this was resolved, too. OP?
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calebthebaeleb
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Location: Bay Area, California
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: 1966 Beetle starts and dies after five seconds |
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| scottyrocks wrote: |
For piece of mind, I went through my entire fuel system from tank through carb.
Tank - removed and cleaned
Steel lines - blown out in both directions
rubber lines - replaced
carb - rebuilt
pump - tested
filter - replaced and relocated from engine compartment to under tank (next to transaxle would be good, too)
I'm curious how this was resolved, too. OP? |
I ended up replacing all of the rubber fuel lines and relocating the fuel filter near the transmission. I used weedwhacker line, carb cleaner, and an air compressor to remove a blockage that was in the metal line running to the rear of the car. I also made sure to drain and clear out the gas tank. It seems as though the mesh filter in the tank was removed in the past so I didn't have to deal with that, but I made sure the nozzle out of the tank was clear.
After a tuneup (carb, timing, valves, etc...), I was able to get her to stay running. After some more things such as a brake system rebuild and some other small things, she's my around-town daily driver. Here's how she's sitting right now:
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