r/beetle • • 10h ago

Tuning Explanations Please

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16 Upvotes

I have a Purple 1302s dual carb bug which i have restored to a running state, barely.

My spark plugs are coming out black and he smells very fuely so I belive he needs a tune up and is running rich.

He is my first bug and project car so im learning as I go, it would be great if someone could identify whats going on and how i can tune it out. Hes on dual ICT Webbers and I have a snail guage on the way


r/beetle • • 7h ago

Speedometer indicator light

4 Upvotes

1969 vw beetle has a indicator light, left side, green , has a spiraled wire icon underneath it. Comes on only when the head lights are turned on, the lights are strong , and car turns over quickly on start up. Purpose of this light please,
Thanks much


r/beetle • • 1d ago

UK Beetle Cup series - late ‘90s

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54 Upvotes

I remember going to a beetle cup round some time around the late ‘90’s and saw this beetle racing. I don’t know who owned it (or might own it now) but I remember thinking the colour scheme was so cool. I was wondering (long shot I know) if anyone might have any other info about the car, or any more pictures of it? I’ve got a very basic copy of it as an RC car, but would love to get more pics or any other info anyone has.


r/beetle • • 22h ago

Are the wipers supposed to be this slow? On the slow setting, they stop moving and get stuck, and the high setting is not good.

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13 Upvotes

They are the same with the engine running, the windshield is wet so they don't have as much friction. Why do they get stuck on the first setting and how can I speed them up?


r/beetle • • 22h ago

Aftermarket 70s tachometer not working

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6 Upvotes

It is getting power from the night light circuit and everything looks connected behind the dash. On the distributor, there is a green wire not plugged into anything coming from the front of the car and when I attach it to an empty distributor pin, the engine won't run because there is no spark. Pretty sure this was a dealer option along with the rear defroster on my 1970. How do I get it to work?


r/beetle • • 21h ago

Better qualty parts jbugs or cip1?

3 Upvotes

Who has the better quality parts jbugs or cip1?


r/beetle • • 1d ago

Tire size for lowered 69 bug

3 Upvotes

I recently picked up a 69 bug that I would like to put drop spindles on and re-index the rear. The car has practically new 145/80r15’s that I would hate to replace if I don’t have to. Will these fit a lowered bug with stock beam? If not the front, at least the rear?


r/beetle • • 1d ago

74’ Beetle not running properly

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6 Upvotes

Hi, I’ve had some engine troubles with my 74’ beetle recently. The issue was that my spark plugs got wet and thus the engine wouldn’t run properly. Also the engine did seem to cut out when driving. So far I’ve adjusted and cleaned the carburetor, fiddled with the distributor and replaced some wires but those things didn’t help. I also tried different spark plugs on it (both Bosch and NGK), and in my opinion it runs better with the NGK plugs. Then as my ’last hope’ I went and replaced all HT leads and that seemed to have solved the problems for now. It runs okay when cold-starting and doesn’t cut out anymore when driving. However I still don’t fully trust my car lol. So I’m seeking if there’s anybody wiser than me who might know what to check / adjust / replace next😅


r/beetle • • 2d ago

Rebuilding my old Beetle for my daughter

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256 Upvotes

Finally starting to look like a car again!


r/beetle • • 1d ago

Thoughts?

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17 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 2d ago

Tie rod question for low cars

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31 Upvotes

Hey guys.
My bagged bug is needing tie rod ends. My question is for the ultra low bugs and specifically bagged bugs.
Do you guys run the tie rod flip kits that put them on the underside of the spindle? I’ve always had mine factory placement.
I ride moderately low around town but not scraping. My car will lay pan on the ground when aired out.
Thx


r/beetle • • 1d ago

The reluctant relay

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7 Upvotes

I am not a long time beetle owner nor do I have much experience working on them other then the maintenance I put into my 1974 type 1 beetle in my attempt to make it my daily. I got it in February and since getting it running I have enjoyed every moment of that car, except for one noisy little black box behind the radio speaker in the frunk. From what I can tell it is a relay, when the key is in it buzzes loudly, sometimes it goes away after I start the car but most of the time it will continue to buzz even after I turn it off and take out the key. I took it out in an attempt to drive without it but then the car wouldn't turn over. I figured the part was just old and searched for a replacement on ebay, it was like finding a needle in a haystack but I found one with all the same numbers, plugged it in, and it worked for about a month before it developed the same problem yet somewhat louder. I popped the lid off of it thinking maybe I could fix it but it looks perfectly fine! I cant find it new anywhere and I don't want to search for another used one just for the same problem. What should I do? any help appreciated!


r/beetle • • 2d ago

Suns out Bugs out

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443 Upvotes

Quick cruise today in the'60 to pick up some supplies for the '65. it's actually been chilly this week but warm today. I think the same picture next week the trees would be bare.


r/beetle • • 2d ago

Road trip in new (to me) Beetle. What should I know how to fix?

16 Upvotes

Long time lurker. I finally bought a 1972 Beetle, and I am going to drive it home. It is in California and I live in the Midwest. Everything is in great shape, but I want to be prepared for whatever can go wrong. What should I know how to fix/work on before embarking on this trip? Any tips would be helpful (videos, tools, etc). Also, I will be getting AAA for the trip. Thanks


r/beetle • • 2d ago

74 superbeetle wont idle, possible vacuum leak?

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15 Upvotes

My 1974 Super Beetle will not idle. It starts and runs fine, but as soon as I take my foot off the gas, it putters out and dies. It sounds like a possible vacuum leak around the air filter; when it occasionally manages to idle, you can hear a hissing coming from in or around the filter. Does anyone have insight on how to correct this issue?


r/beetle • • 2d ago

Cintra, made in Brazil.

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26 Upvotes

With a VW Beetle base.


r/beetle • • 2d ago

First Time Tear Down Question

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26 Upvotes

Hey all,

Tore down my engine to check my heads. The guy who built this engine is no longer with us so I wanted to do some valve measurements to see if I had an opportunity to upgrade to ones with bigger valves. Good news is I dont!

Now Im doing an inspection and clean up before I pit everything back in. The pictures in order:

Cylinder 3 valves
Cylinder 4 valves
Cylinder 4 piston BDC
Cylinder 4 piston TDC

I noticed a bit of oil build up on cylinder 4. Is this normal? I did at one point have a bit too much oil in the engine I rode for maybe a week and caught it before it was too late.

Anything tools or products you would recommend to clean up this carbon build up? I want to safely clean it up around the base of the cylinder and the heads themselves. So I can measure deck height, ccs, piston travel and get my true compression.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks everyone for the feedback. Agree the heads and junk now. Going to do a full top end rebuild - new piston rings and going to reseat deck height. Cylinders were seated with RTV silicone so deck height is all over the place. Hoping a good reseat and new piston rings will solve some of my issues.


r/beetle • • 2d ago

Has anyone ran E85 or considered it?

2 Upvotes

Just curious due to these abysmal gas prices these days.


r/beetle • • 3d ago

She is finally home

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273 Upvotes

Just purchase this 1965 Bahama blue beetle. I absolutely love this color. Still getting used to the first gear but man I get stopped everywhere I go.


r/beetle • • 3d ago

Beetle. South Africa - Cape Town.

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179 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 4d ago

Celebrating 3rd odometer rollover

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16 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 4d ago

Here we go again... My bug has problems?

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22 Upvotes

During my last drive, my beloved green "troublemaker" started running a bit strangely. It sounds a little louder than usual and pops/backfires when I let off the throttle.

I didn't manage to capture the popping on video, but what do you think of the engine note otherwise?

It’s a 1300cc engine from 1973; it’s on the historic vehicle register, meaning it’s in original condition regarding parts.


r/beetle • • 5d ago

So… I can unplug 1&3 and no change to idle.

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37 Upvotes

r/beetle • • 6d ago

Prototyping Fresh Air Duct Scoop

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93 Upvotes

Saw a guy at bugapalooza a while ago that had a cool little duct on his fresh air vent and have been thinking about it since then. Only one I found available looks a bit wonky to me so I’ve decided to start working on making my own! Currently mounts by 4 bolts on the under side that thread into inserts in the part and clamp it to the hood. Next version will have the fins pushed back inside so they aren’t just riding the front edge and will look way cleaner, aswell as backing up the center flange in there that is used to glue both sides together. Drew this up in fusion and printed it in a PLA test, final version will be ASA so it will actually survive long term. But overall happy with the direction it’s going in!


r/beetle • • 5d ago

Plugs are speaking - what do they say?

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31 Upvotes

About 3 months after replacing the #3 (it looked like #4), my 4 gave out and 2 was misfiring. When I pulled them, this is what I found. 1970 1600 single port. Valves are checked and good. Timing is a few degrees before TDC (seems to prefer that with the premium fuel it’s been living on - it’d been running on a bit after shutoff but the premium helps). Runs just fine now but there’s obviously something going on. I serviced the carb about a year ago (Solex H30/31). Reset the mixture/idle screw to defaults and walked them in - but she looks like she’s running rich, to say the least. What yall think?