This old bug (in need of mechanical and body work) had been sitting out in a backyard for 6 years, by the time I got it. When I tried to start it I found that the battery was dead and wouldn't take a charge. I bought a new six volt battery and the motor turns over, but even with new gas, won't start.
From my coil wire, I got a very faint spark, but now get next to nothing. Bad coil? Bad voltage regulator? Anything else to look for, that may produce a low spark?
Would like to get it running so I can move it around my yard to the barn where I can work on it.
2007-06-30 00:30:29 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Ah, the old air cooled bug. An ultra reliable and simple machine. I drove cross country in a 1970 Fastback when I was 19. Loved the trip and on road maintenance was a breeze. First I would change the oil, or at least check and refill it. Those old bugs only hold like 2-3qts and even being a little low can hurt the engine. Next, if it has the original oil bath air cleaner, drain out the old oil, clean it up and refill with clean oil (there's a red line inside where you fill the oil too). Also, check the generator/fan belt for proper tension. If you remove the big nut on the generator pulley you can remove the outer part of the pulley and you'll see thin metal shims. Add shims to loosen the belt and remove shims to tighten it. There is a notch on the inner pulley where you can but a screwdriver into it and hold the pulley from turning. It's an air cooled motor and you want the fan turning once you get it running. The carb will probably need a rebuild after sitting for 6 years. Gas tends to turn to varnish and gum up the works. For the ignition, try cleaning the points as stated above. You can pull the distributor cap and rotor and you'll see a spring loaded switch that opens and closes as the motor turns. Take a small piece of sand paper, fold it in half so the sanding surface is outside and carefully sand each contact point. Rotate the engine so the points are fully open and check the gap. It should be about .016" (if i remember correctly). the cover of a matchbook is just about the perfect thickness. Also, sand the contact points inside the cap and on the rotor a little to clean those up. Wipe out the cap of any dust or dirt (some carb cleaner on a rag works well). Last, are you 100% sure it's still a 6-volt system? 66, 67 were changeover years and many were 12 volt. Plus, most were later converted over to 12 volt by replacing the generator and regulator. Once you get it running, plan on replacing the spark plugs, wires and have someone adjust the valve lash for you (you could do it yourself, but it's a little tricky). If you are planning on using it as a daily driver I would think about getting the pertronics ignitor system to replace the points (they usually need monkeying (cleaning, regapping, replacing) with every 5-6000 miles) and the ignitor makes the ignition system bullet proof. Pick up the book called "How to keep your volkswagon alive" by John Muir - it's the best book out there for the air cooled vw and it's written in everyday language anyone can understand (he actually describes what parts look like rather then assume you know what and where the part is located). Hope this helps!
2007-06-30 02:38:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The carb will need attention. [may have to disassemble & clean]
Drain the fuel tank & refill.
The points will be corroded. Replace the points, cap & rotor, then check the spark.
Once you get it running, the brakes will may not work. Hopefully it was not parked with the brake on.
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2007-06-30 02:22:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its probably either the water pump or the air in the tires
2007-06-30 01:22:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
try cleaning the points
2007-06-30 01:41:11 · answer #4 · answered by venturis 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋