Author |
Message |
Bleu 72 Super Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2020 Posts: 11 Location: South-central PA
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:01 pm Post subject: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I harbor a bit of a fear. What happens if my 1972 Beetle breaks down and I am far from home--say an hour or more. Here at home the guy who restored my Beetle could take care of any problem. But what if you are in the middle of NOWHERE??? How do you ever find someone to fix your Beetle?
I know many Samba folks would jump out and fix the car themselves. But I am not one of those people. I know a wrench from a screwdriver, but have no confidence to use either one on my Beetle. Surely there must be others who have this same fear. Any suggestions?
I have Hagerty Insurance with "Club" coverage. This would get my car towed on a flatbed truck for a limited number of miles. But where would I tow it to? How in the world do you find a mechanic who knows Beetles these days?
Seems to me this could be a nightmare scenario. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
static Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2002 Posts: 1830 Location: The High Desert
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I am not nearly smart enough to work on my own Bus, so I call AAA. They will be happy to schlep my Bus to a shop. I have “Premier”, so it can be up to 200 mikes away. Ideally, I would haul it to Kombi Haus.
If that won’t work for you, invest in some Bear Spray. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
supercub Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2010 Posts: 358 Location: Wisconsin
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
Not to sound harsh but if I didn't know how to or feel comfortable working on at least the basics of my VW, I would either learn how or not travel far in it. It's a 50 year old car and most general auto repair shops will likely want nothing to do with repairing it or will gouge the heck out of your wallet to do so. If you are serious about travelling far from home in the Beetle, I would at least learn how to replace the consumable parts of the distributor (rotor, cap, condenser, points) as well as how to adjust the points, adjust the valves, and set the timing. I would also know how to replace the fuel pump and rebuild the carburetor. Not that you would be totally rebuilding a carb on the side of the road, but at least you would know how to take it apart enough to see if anything is amiss inside should problems develop. Also, I always give the car a good once-over a few days before I'm about to leave on a trip to see if anything needs attention. It's a lot easier to replace something that's about to fail at home than on the side of the road somewhere. I've travelled a lot in my Beetle and have a little box of spare parts and the tools to change them. I have needed to use that stuff on occasion. I have been lucky and always been able to repair the VW when it broke down on the road. My personal plan is if something truly catastrophic happens to the VW while far away, I'll get it towed to the nearest town, rent a U-Haul and tow dolly and tow it home to repair it. I guess ultimately what I'm trying to say is, if you really desire to take long trips with your VW these days, you need to develop some degree of self-reliance in repairing it. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Erik G Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 13247 Location: Tejas!
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
Right.
In my opinion it's stupid to throw up your hands and say "I'm no good with cars" and yet own an old VW. Especially as an only car. Glutton for punishment at the least. Dumb is probably hurtful to hear, but... Get over it and get over your fear of learning and working on something.
Especially if it's your only car. Dumb, get a carolla _________________ Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
OldSchoolVW's Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2020 Posts: 667 Location: San Diego
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 12:56 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
One thing all of us on the Samba have in common is a love for these cars. And let’s not forget that we love them for a variety of reasons. For some of us it is the simplicity of the machine. For others it is the infinite options available to customize/personalize them. For many of us they are time machines that take us back to our youth. When these cars were new there was no shortage of places where one could take them for repair and I’m sure the vast majority of VW owners were no more interested in or capable of doing more advanced troubleshooting and repair than the vast majority of owners of ’72 Ford Pintos, Chevy Vegas or AMC Gremlins.
Each ACVW enthusiast has an affection for these vehicles for their own reasons. ACVW hobbyists are a subset of this group who have the mechanical aptitude and skill that allows them to work on them. Not everyone who wants to enjoy owning a classic car needs to be a hobbyist … but they do need to understand the limitations of this type of ownership. Such owners should be comfortable with using the car primarily for pleasure, have a skilled ACVW mechanic available, budget for inevitable repairs, and (if necessary for peace of mind) plan to limit how far they travel. It’s an acceptance that the world is different than it was in 1972, but it doesn’t mean you cannot or should not enjoy owning the classic VW of your choice.
Ask the Samba community for suggestions on what basic/routine things should be done to minimize the chances of a problem arising, and I’m sure plenty will be happy to offer suggestions … after all, we all want to keep them on the road to be enjoyed for years to come. _________________ Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
|
Back to top |
|
|
finster Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 7839 Location: north o' the border
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 3:56 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
is there a directory on the samba of trusted workshops around the country/world? _________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oprn Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 12632 Location: Western Canada
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:49 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I LIVE in the middle of nowhere. One hour's drive does not take me anywhere near an air cooled parts or repair facility. There are two in different directions, both 3.5 hours away to the north west and south west, the next closest is to the east and is 4.5 hours and is only open part time now. When we go directly north or south from our home there is absolutely nothing all the way to the USA boarder and the arctic circle. If I was not comfortable wrenching on these old cars I would not own them.
We regularly take our old air cooled car on trips up to 12 hours one way and sometimes I pack tools and sometimes not. The fact of the matter is that if something breaks there will be no parts to be found anyway. I know my car inside and out so surprises are few and far between. The only thing readily available for them most places is tires, oil and gas.
Home sweet home!
One of our 12 hour, through the Rockies trips. No I don't carry a spare tire.
_________________ We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
madmike Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005 Posts: 5291 Location: Atlanta,Michigan
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 5:49 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
Blue 72, Have your VW Guy 'Teach' you how to Change the Distributor,( get a spare) and stash it under the rear seat,
P.S. you only have to remove ONE 13mm nut to change it
Cheers,Mike _________________ 'Black Ice'Drag Buggy 'Turbo'
Rail Buggy 1915 turbo
76 Drag/Street bug 2180cc 'Turbo' 11:85 @113 mph"If I go any faster I'll burn up the Hamster" ,gets 28 mpg. also 10/09/22 11.90 @115 mph
"If I'm ever on Life Support,UNPLUG Me, Then Plug me back In see if that Works" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9826 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:26 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
Carry a copy of John Muir's "Idiots Manual" with you (and a set of points and a condenser). At least by having the book, some random farm kid at a bar or convenience store will be able to figure out the problem for you. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
obus Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2001 Posts: 11043 Location: just off Garden State Parkway Exit 81
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
esde Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007 Posts: 5927 Location: central rust belt
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:30 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
Most any person can learn to figure out, is it no gas or no spark? Gas, you just follow the path and figure is it the pump, filter, or screen? (or empty )
Spark is a bit more technically involved, but you can easily check for 12v at the coil and spark at the coil.
Knowing how to change a fuel filter or fuse has gotten many people back on the road. _________________ modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31271 Location: Hot Arizona
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:35 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I've owned my 1970 for 50 years, and my 1971 for 46 years.
In 1979 while on vacation in California, I broke a clutch cable but had spare and wingnut in the VW's trunk.
About 1981 my 1970 got stuck crossing a dirt path through a really-high Lake Pleasant, exhaust under water, I kept engine running. A few minutes later some teenagers helped us lift the rear end so I could drive out in reverse, then I could get home driving through a deeper area which had firmer footing.
Back in 1986 the 1970 developed an engine crack/cam plug came out so I bought a tow bar for $25 and towed the 1970 back 300 miles home.
The 1971 has never broken down while I was driving it, but the generator pulley did explode once while my mom was driving it, an accelerator cable broke in 1980 when girlfriend was driving, and its accelerator cable and its clutch cable have broken while Mrs. Cusser was driving it, so I fixed all those where they'd gone down.
Now we have AAA plus, has 100 miles of no-cost towing, covers our 6 vehicles that are registered. My second place is 104 miles away from my first place, so that covers most of the state. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
scottyrocks Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2016 Posts: 2645 Location: Long Island, NY
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:41 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
How do you get a shop added to that list? My very good local shop isn't there. _________________ “If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch' |
|
Back to top |
|
|
my59 Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2003 Posts: 3781 Location: connecting the dots
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:30 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
iowegian wrote: |
Carry a copy of John Muir's "Idiots Manual" with you (and a set of points and a condenser). At least by having the book, some random farm kid at a bar or convenience store will be able to figure out the problem for you. |
As above and a small box of VW bits that are not typically available at a FLAPS. There are threads about what spares to carry. Some carry all kinds of gear, some less.
AAA with the 200 mile tow, cell phone, credit and ten $20 bills cash is also good to have on hand. _________________ my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
jeffrey8164 Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018 Posts: 3804 Location: Georgia
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I carry a fan belt, a spare fuel pump (electric), a spare points replacement module, a spare tire and all the tools necessary to replace them with.
Haven’t had to use anything yet.
The only roadside repair I’ve had to do was remove my front sway bar that got caught on a measly 1.5inch curb transition into a parking lot. _________________ Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 33883 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I observe that there are no longer just VW owners, but combination Owner/Mechanics, and those planning to sell theirs soon. It's not unique to VWs, but they are old cars, 50 years or more, and that has some plain realities to contend with.
1. Parts may be hard to get in a hurry. As a weekend car, no biggie, but for a daily driver or a road trip car, this is a major issue. It is solved with a thoughtful and large box of spare parts, kept in the car at all times.
2. ...and tools. Even if you can't install them, a garage or friend can (even if they are not VW people), but ONLY if they have the tools handy, and there are some unique to a VW.
3. The Muir book is a good road book, and the Phase 1 Tool/Spares Kit is a good start. Phase 2 for longer trips.
4. Consider taking these trips with a friend. A fellow VW nut is best, but just another vehicle to take you to the nearest town and provide some security, any reliable person will do.
5. Fully charged cell phone is a must. An emergency kit (space blanket, water, etc) is also a must. Whatever personal security equipment you are comfortable and legal with is a good idea.
6. Long range AAA or other tow coverage.
7. Notify friends of your itinerary, so if you don't show on time, they know where to look.
8. Have the car thoroughly checked by a VW specialist before you go. And try a short shake-down trip to start. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
CanStan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005 Posts: 1036 Location: Calgary, AB
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 11:19 pm Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I’d agree with everything above. I travel a ton in my VW’s. A combination of preventative maintenance, knowledge, spare parts, TheSamba.com, VW friends scattered across the country, AAA / CAA, and some cash in the bank has gotten me out of every jamb I’ve ever been in. You can do without all of those things except the cash in the bank one I guess. But you’d better have a lot. If a $1000 tow will put you in the poor house, you need to be able to fend for yourself a bit. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31271 Location: Hot Arizona
|
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:01 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
I've known folks with brand new vehicles that have been stranded away from home in large cities because there were no parts available for over a week for their new vehicles....
Everything breaks, sooner or later. And even if not used.
Link
_________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22573 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:09 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
The simplicity of the air cooled VW is mitigated by a maintenance schedule that involves 4x per year service. Modern cars go 2 years between service.
If you want to daily drive an air cooled , you need to be in touch with it. It needed quarterly service when it was new , now it is 50 years old, and needs more. _________________ .ssS! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17963 Location: Eugene, OR
|
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 11:32 am Post subject: Re: What do you do if your Beetle breaks down in the boonies? |
|
|
We have a tow dolly at home to do our own towing, but I also carry a tow strap in my trunk. _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|