Beetle doesn’t run very well

[459032]

Just bought it. Got it running. Addressed vacuum leaks and it ran better but not great.

Just did a compression test on cylinders one and two

1) 40 psi
2) 110 psi
3) 100 psi
4) 110 psi

What to do from here? Rebuild? Or check valves?

edit: remaining cylinder compression

[Cusser]

[459032]

Where do you recommend getting rebuild parts or kits?

[Nicholas D]

If you take Cusser's advice, which I personally think you should, you don't need any type of rebuild kit. Only thing you should get would be valve cover gaskets. Cip1, Wolfsburg West or any other VW parts supplier will have them. The link to the thread below is in the stickies. Some of the information may be a little old but there are tons of threads on here about parts suppliers.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=523195
_________________
71 Westfalia
73 Beetle

[radstude]

May be a Valve sticking.
_________________
1967 VW Fastback (Past)
1971 VW Bug (Past)
1975 VW Bus (Past)
2002 VW Mexican Bug 1600i

[Cusser]

[459032]

Assuming it’s a sticky valve, how is that fixed? Is that fixed either the valve adjustment?

[459032]

Took off the valve cover. One of the rocker arms is not seated on the push rod.

[Cusser]

[459032]

Do I just pop it back in? Why would the rocker arm come off the push rod?

[gt1953]

Bent push rod maybe. Loose valve adjustment.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[459032]

Push rod was a little bent. I straightened it and now this car runs great! Y’all are awesome!

[gt1953]

Source outa replace stockpushrod as it may even bend again.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Cusser]

[459032]

Will do. Are all 1600’s or type 1’s the same length push rod?

A couple more questions:

Cold it’s hard to start. Hitting the throttle causes it to stumble. When warm starts right up and runs pretty good. A little bit of a shake cause by misfire

High idle. I advanced the timing which causes a high idle.

My plan is to re adjust valves and do a general tune up.

[Cusser]

[459032]

I’m also in hot AZ. Where do you recommend getting a push rod

[jinx758]

Howdy ...

Congrats on fixing vacuum leaks & getting it to run.
Now focus on getting it to run as best as it can.

Cold start :
Ensure choke is not only set correctly but fully opens after about 3-4 minutes.

If PICT (?) carburetor set fast idle cam screw so it JUST barely touches stepped cam plus 1/4 turn & leave it. Best done stone cold. Also fuel/air & rpm settings.

Too much timing can cause a hard start & is not good for cruising. We don't drive at an idle.

Tune up :
Scrape ALL ignition surfaces - cap, rotor, & make sure everything is fully seated.
I do this once a year to eliminate potential problems.

Shaky idle :
Performance cam
Throttle shafts on carb leaking (can't really tune it)
Plug wire problems (not seated or shorted)
Sticking fuel pump rod (took me a while to find that one)
Spark plug fouled
Low compression on one or more cylinders
Vapor lock (full or partial) keep fuel lines & hoses away from heat sources

It's better to try & eliminate "what ifs" in the driveway.

Good luck ... stay safe

jinx


PS ...
Please post distributor, carb, & etc.
Lots of knowledgeable people with sharp eyes can spot problems if we had some pics. Thanks

You got this !
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford

It's not unlike the same difference ...

My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor

[459032]

This is fuel injection. I va plan on keeping it that way

[459032]

I apologize for not specifying earlier. I need to remember to put that on my signature.

Great write up. Thank you.

1978 beetle convertible With fuel injection. I believe everything is stock. Not sure.