What did you do to your Bug Today?

[carlos_magnum]

Done replacing the fuel pump gasket and trans mounts.

[1968BUGMAN]

I know I just posted this in my build thread, and it was actually last week, but I got my car back from being painted, just gotta have somebody put the roll up windows in. Its looking really good!

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1968 Beetle Project | https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...ae8942450a
Installing a Stereo Into a Classic VW | https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9502179#9502179

[Rome]

Excellent!

[vamram]

Replaced the *new* aftermarket leaky windshield w/a used original. No more leaks from the front. Now for the rear.....
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[bp03]

Changed the ignition switch!

Got my 1972 Standard two days ago. Vehicle idled in the PO's garage and then later I got it started to drive into my driveway off the trailer...Then it wouldn't start again.

I spent some time yesterday diagnosing it and ordered an ignition switch. Got it today, swapped it out and starts up just fine.

[Cusser]

[atldal]

Finding Mice nest!

[johnnyvw164]

Yesterday I took the engine out of my recently acquired 69, so that I could change the trans mounts (the front one seemed to be totally shot). Found out it wasn't the mount, the nose cone was cracked. I knew when I got the car the passenger side floor was dented up just behind the seat area. With the engine and trans out, I could see that dent actually went at an angle right to the front of the trans, and the front part of the wishbone of the center spine was actually dented. So someone had a major off-road excursion. Someone had welded in some steel to act as a brace, but it really didn't do the job. It must have happened a long time ago as the metal on both sides of the crack were heavily corroded.
I'm very thankful this is a readily available part...

[vamram]

Installed a factory impact strip on the rear after-market bumper.

Also went on a 30-mile cruise on local highways.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[Zundfolge1432]

Cuss, those pics look great and it’s good to see your car finally 😀 you’ve taken care of it and it shows.

[Cusser]

[challomoner]

Quick wash and dry brought out a nice shine on the 50 year old paint

[bp03]

I took my bug out on the road for the first time last night at dusk...Went to turn on the headlights and they didn't work.. Over the past week while messing with the car they seemed to be intermittent.

After some troubleshooting I determined it to be the relay...Also upon pulling the relay I found it was cracked (pretty sure I did not do it).

Luckily Advance Auto has one that is a direct fit. I put 'er in and had lights again and then went for a ride!

[Jennthom]

Bought my very first Bug on Tuesday! Yesterday I drove it for the very first time and today I'm removing the after market stereo amp and sub. Found some rust hiding under the sub.

Discovered oil leaking from 2 locations and preparing for the first oil change and tune up!

Excited!!

[Rome]

Jennthom- congratulations, and welcome to the Beetle world. What year is yours? Where was the sub located?

When you do your oil change, be very careful with those 6 small "acorn" nuts that are on the bottom of the metal round sump plate. A thorough oil change involves removing that sump plate, pulling down the aluminum oil screen, and cleaning both parts with solvent or brake cleaner spray.

When you reassemble afterwards, first fit the copper washers from the oil change kit onto the studs before you put on the acorn nuts. Those nuts call for only 5 ft. lb tightening torque. Hand-tighten them onto the studs, then snug up each nut 1/2 turn at a time in a criss-cross pattern until you reach the 5 ft. lb. 30 years ago I bought a small 1/4" drive inch-pound ratcheting torque wrench on sale from JC Whitney, put on a 3" extension, and set it at 60 in. lb (12" x 5 ft) as my dedicated oil change wrench. You can probably find a similar cheap one from HarborFreight. The acorn nuts use a 10 mm socket.

[Lost69Convertible]

I have an ongoing problem. After driving the Beetle for about 30 minutes, it begins to misfire. It's beautiful weather this time of year. It's a real loss not to drive it.

Distributor cap has no cracks or carbon scoring. But the points had moderate pitting, so I started by replacing the points and condenser.

Went for a test drive and the misfiring started again. No easy fix. So I checked the coil polarity - good. I measured the primary and secondary coil resistance - good.

I tested the spark from the coil center post wire to the engine block. The spark is yellow, not blue like it should be. Hmmm - maybe getting closer to the problem.

Next I plan to measure voltage across the primary coil. And I'll probably run a hot lead from the battery to the coil to rule out the ignition switch, and check the coil wire spark again. If the spark is still yellow, it might be time to replace the coil. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.



In other news: Mechanics had their way with the engine over the years. Many things were modified. The ignition timing advanced only about 8 degree from idle to 3500 RPM.

My distributor has centrifugal advance. And it has vacuum advance and retard. Tracing the vacuum lines revealed that somehow, some way, the lines were reversed in the past. After correcting this error, my ignition timing advances to about 28 degrees BTDC at high RPM.
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1956 Beetle Ragtop: My Father's car
1969 Beetle Convertible: My first car. I loved it, I lost it, and I never got over it.
1979 Super Beetle Convertible

[Trikezilla]

Bought more parts!

[Gr0unded]

Installed a "Hot Oil Sensor" today.....went for a test drive and all was well until the final stretch back home. I had been driving for about 20 minutes of mixed country and highway driving. Before turning down my road, I slowed the car down from 60mph, turned right and the oil light began flashing and in some instances continuously glowed. Very strange....car was fine the whole while until that last right turn. Thankfully it was not far before turning into the driveway and parked it......the oil light flickered then I shut it down. I have more work to do...
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B r i a n
1976 VW Type 1 Beetle - Standard

Stop Dead Photo Links! Post your VW photos to the Samba Gallery!

[J-Gaz.]

@cusser
[quote="Cusser"]

[Lost69Convertible]

Engine misfire problem:

Bentley says the voltage across the primary ignition coil should be 9.6V minimum. On my car while idling I measured 6V. When I reved the engine to about 2500 RPM I measured 4V.

In my earlier post, the spark from the coil center post wire to the engine block is yellow (it should be blue). Combined with low voltage across the coil, it looks like I'm getting close to the problem.

I'm looking for advice on what's next. Is this a likely coil issue? Or should I look at the ignition wiring or the alternator?
_________________
1956 Beetle Ragtop: My Father's car
1969 Beetle Convertible: My first car. I loved it, I lost it, and I never got over it.
1979 Super Beetle Convertible