1976 Westy in Miami...needs repair help. 1st post

[VW-Ben]

Hello All,

Posting on behalf of Sunny, my 1976 Westy. We recently made the trip from Chicago to Miami over a 7 day ride with no incidents other than her forgetful owner leaving a gas cap behind.

The day after our arrival she stalled going up a small ramp into a shopping mall garage. Rolled back down the ramp and blocked traffic for about 15 minutes till she cooled off. During those 15 minutes the battery was fine but engine just would not start. Eventually made it up only to stall again once in the garage. Waited another 10 minutes and we started enough to glide into some open parking spaces. Left the bus sit for an hour while shopping then drove a few miles before stalling for the 3rd time, just a block short of our hotel. Held traffic up for a good 20 minutes before starting again and punching it into the hotel.

Checked the oil level and smells a bit like an oil/fuel mix. Oil is very liquid and dark. On the way out to FL I noticed a few screws in front of block were leaking oil into the fan shroud. Smell of oil burning was pretty normal already so wasn't too worried. After our drives each day there seem to be oil splatter on the back of the bus. Not sure if the bus is losing a lot of oil but the dipstick currently shows full.

Recently purchased the bus last March and have no mechanical experience however extremely interested in learning basic maintenance. Called a few friends and an air-cooled mechanic who has previously worked on this bus. Gave them same info above and talked through the concerns. My main concern is definitely gassy smell. Everyone has suggested changing the oil which I would love to do myself. Currently in a hotel parking lot and wondering if I should make the attempt for a near by Autozone. Someone mentioned auto stores will allow customers to do work there.

I came across the following website with VW enthusiasts across the country offering all kinds of support. The 2 listings for individuals in my area of FL have non working telephone numbers and one of the emails bounced back.

http://www.type2.com/rescue/us/fl.html.
Are there any other resources like this which list VW owners in SE FL? I planned for an oil change once out here along with taking the bus in for general engine inspection but if I can save some $ getting local help that would be a relief. Hoping someone may guide me through my first oil change and give a listen to the engine issues. I'm quite certain a Youtube video will suffice if I don't connect with anyone by Monday.

Thank you in advance and looking forward to being a part of this site!

Ben