1969 beetle stalls when i hit the gas

[617dannyp]

Just brought out my 1969 vw bug for the summer. It starts up great and idles, but as soon as i hit the gas it starts to stall out. I checked out the plug wires they are all on tight. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot this??

[KTPhil]

Timing correct?
Advance mechanism working?
Accel pump squirting properly in carb?

[617dannyp]

what is the easiest way to check the timing?? The bug was running decent last year.

[KTPhil]

All you really need is a 12V test light (light bulb and wire).

Best to get a manual to tell you the details. A combo of the Muir "Idiot" book and the VW-authorized Bentley manual will take care of 99% of your needs.

In the meantime, use the "static" timing procedure here:
http://www.vw-resource.com/tune-up.html#static

I am not 100% sure but I think the '69 is timed statically at 7.5 degrees BTDC.

[ballsie]

I had that issue once. Idles great, but dies out when you hit the gas. I had a kink in the soft fuel line from the gas tank to the tunnel. You might also check your fuel filter. You might be getting just enough gas to idle, but not enough to rev, good luck.
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bagged 64

[617dannyp]

fuel filter looks good I will check the fuel line though. I was actually thinking it might be some kind of air problem, the carburetor not getting air. I took the air filter of and ran it, same problem.

[Hammarlund]

Since the car was running good before parking it, the following come to mind:

Fuel pump diaphragm became brittle from disuse and tore. This one is especially likely if the oil level seems to have increased over the winter. Check the oil in the sump for a gasoline smell. If gas got in the oil, it must be changed before you do anything else.

Check and make sure the automatic choke is adjusted properly.

Water in fuel or fuel otherwise degraded. Drain the tank and put in fresh fuel (you may already have done this). I've heard some stories about ethanol fuel, cold, and moisture, but I don't have any personal experience, and certainly not experience with ethanol in your climate!

Spark plugs or points (if any) corroded over winter. Check the spark. If it is not bright and blue, it might not be good enough under acceleration.

Evaporation of fuel during disuse may have caused the carb jets to gum up (or the acceleration pump, as Phil points out).

Those are some of the obvious ones that can develop after several months of inactivity. Maybe some of the more experienced hands can think of others.
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Trying to diagnose electrical problems without paying attention to what the red light is telling you is like trying to play the piano without using your hands.

[OLD VW NUT]

Like KTPhil said - check that the accelerator pump is working - classic symptom is stalling when trying to accelerate. Pull the air cleaner off (engine off) look into the carb with a flashlight and pull the throttle arm down and see if you can see a squirt of gas jet down into the carb throat.
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71 Ghia Coupe - stock body - no rust! Powered by a 2110 W/Dual HPMX 44's - Rancho Pro Street Transaxle - A/C by Gilmore

Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI

[617dannyp]

Ok i adjusted the timing, no change I'm beginning to think that it must be the fuel pump. Although could it be an air problem?? the manifold doesn't seem to be getting hot. It only gets hot in one place???

[Hammarlund]

Firstly, please give us more detail? Type of carb, distributor, single or dual port, etc. You have checked the timing; but no one can tell if you have done this correctly or not until we know how you did it and what kind of distributor you have.

[617dannyp]

ok i changed the fuel pump with a brand new one- same problem I'm 99 percent sure the gas gummed up the carburetor over the winter. I'm going to try an additive in the gas tank, see if that will help.

[DillonG]

Hi guys I'm having some trouble with my beetle...idles great and starts on the turn but the issue I'm having is it stalls on all gears...will be much appreciated if I could get some help Thanks in advance

[Cusser]

[bluebus86]

[KTPhil]

Best advice I got and now give is that whenever the VW isn't running right, go through the tune-up procedure (starting with a valve adjustment).

VW tune-ups cost nothing but time, and along the way you will (1) probably find the problem, such as loose valve or slipped timing; or if not, then (2) you will have eliminated the most common causes before you go the expensive route of randomly replacing parts.

[vwoldbug]

Keep throwing parts at it then listen to these people . Clean and overhaul carburetor then do a tune up and look inside fuel tank . Also replace fuel hoses .

[parker007]

next time car will sit put in fuel stabilizer, or better run till empty and put in off road gas. the ethanol eats fuel system when moisture invades.