r/beetle • u/_m-orange_ • 6d ago

Struggle bus

Anyone know or use a good no bs mechanic in southern Maine that can diagnose issues in my super beetle?

I’ve been trying to fix a no start issue for months and I surrender. 🏳️ any advice or help is appreciated

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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5

u/SilentMasterpiece 6d ago

This book can make you a reasonably decent mechanic. Just follow the tutorial, step by step...

How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive (1 book series) Paperback Edition

3

u/Routine-Amphibian450 6d ago

Actually, go on the Samba. See if they have a stickie about this.
To start, get a 12v test light with alligator clip lead.
Remove back seat, test battery. Test ground.
Remove rt rear wheel, block securely.
Test starter solenoid.

Remove black fibre dash cover in trunk.
Get wiring diagram from Samba or Google Images.

1

u/Visible_Document_376 6d ago

This is the best option

2

u/Cookaacoo 71 Super-Blue-Houston 6d ago

What's going on with it? I'm in Texas... But might be able to help remotely.

2

u/67RA 6d ago

Or if, you are just fed up and want a mechanic to fix it, use the search site below to locate a repair shop in your local. Enter the state into the search and start looking through the results.

http://www.roadhaus.com/shops.php

1

u/anybodyiwant2be 6d ago

I agree with “Cookaacoo” and there are people here willing to help.

“No Start” can mean so many things:
1) key on, no lights on dash. Turn key and nothing happens. Start with charging the battery
2 car/starter cranks, no action. Could be electrical or fuel related
3) cranks and coughs but won’t stay running (carb, timing, other stuff)

We can walk through this if you don’t have the “idiot book”

1

u/redtailin 6d ago

Little ways from you but the guys at preservation auto works in southern NH helped me out. DM if you want more details.

1

u/dick_ddastardly 6d ago

Fuel, air and spark. You need all 3 and its pretty easy to figure out in a VW.

Fill a liter water bottle with fuel 3/4. Drill a small hole in the lid as a maleshift squirter. You have a carb on there? Thats fuel and air handled.

Now comes spark. Pull a plug wire from the distributor cap. Have a buddy crank the engine while you hold the wire about 1/2" from the cap where you unplugged it from. Does the spark jump across the gap? If yes then you have spark. Keep your fingers away from the zappy end when trying this. Its spicy if it grounds on you!

So now we have all 3 covered. Start with baseline timing. A simple test light will see if your points are working and opening at the right time. You can set basic timing usingbthe same light. It'll get you close enough for firing up purposes. Google how to do all that. Too much to type.

Now, keep a fire extinguisher handy or at wet rag at least. Give a good 3 second squirt of raw fuel into the carb, hold it wide open, have your buddy crank it and see what happens. Keep your face away from the carb opening in case of a backfire.

Did the engine catch and roar to life? Good, now check your basics. Fuel tank level, fuel line, filters and duel pump. Disconnect it and crank the engine. Does it squirt fuel? Yes, good. No, fuel pump replacement time.

See how we're checking 1 thing at a time? Its not difficult, just systematic.

This is 100% doable OP!