[0]-[0] volkswagen Chat - Mods and Repairs: March 2009 //////\\\\\\

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Classic VW Beetle Performance?

I've been investigating a project car for some time and i was thinking about the older Beetles the other day and they seem like a perfect project car. Rear wheel drive, Rear engine, Lightweight and if driven on the street they get good MPG. What more could u ask for? I'm really just looking for some insight on the subject of performance beetles. Air cooled or water cooled? Engine size? Any years better then the others? (i know they r basically all the same with minor differences). Any places or websites i could find performance parts? I don't think I've ever even rode in an older beetle so any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated thank you. This car will be street driven but main focus will be on performance.

Asked by: bazooka1234 @ 2009-03-30 11:00:14

Answers ::
Not fast by any means, but lots of fun. All came air-cooled; go ask your local parts guy for a 1965 vw radiator cap, lol. You can drop in a motor off eBay for about $2k and have a beast of a car. Factory ones are 1600cc (1.6 liters or about 100 cubic inches). Go for a super beetle, very good car. Mid 70s probably best.

lots of performance mods available.. everything from bolt on parts like carbs and exhaust to full tilt crate motors.. CB performance has some wild turbo stuff available but there are tons of parts companies out there ... SCAT is also a big one for parts and crate engines..

1000DollarAutos

Negative. Do not go for a super beetle like the other guy mentioned. A true VW fan does not like supers. Check out www.thesamba.com for lots of information. As far as performance stuff cb performance has some good stuff. So does www.lowbugget.com And not all beetle came with 1600cc dual port engines. Some of the newer (70's) ones came with that motor but they did make a 1400cc and 1300cc both in a single port engine. All of these work great when tuned correctly but can be kinda tough to get to that point. Good luck.

badb0y969

I have a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle. I know, they are the absolute perfect car. You forgot that parts are very very cheap and easy to get, and very fun to drive. Please don't customize it. I beg you. You will regret it, especially since stock ones are getting more valuable by the day. I am busting my ass trying to restore stock Volkswagens and turn customized ones back to stock to try to save them, and all you want to do is make them extinct. Either keep it stock or stay away from type 1 Volkswagens.

Prime

www.thesamba.com

That's all you need to know. Come on over, join up and read the forums that are available for every model range of air cooled VW.
Please read all the sticky threads in the forums before posting. Plenty of good info.

Jay S

Personally i HATE super beetles. I have a 64 myself however would much rather an older split window beetle. the lowest stock engine is a 36hp motor that will have some issues going up hills and what not, however their are folks out their turbo charging their motors as well as getting a much bigger block (2400+ ci) putting out 200+ HP. So really you decide what you want. although the more power = more price, however their still GREAT motors and get great MPG, power to weight ratio, and all my friends describe mine as a gokart on steroids.

greensystemsgo

So, why do you drive a Volkswagen? What is it that made you really want a VW?

Asked by: gregb @ 2009-03-29 20:38:43

Answers ::
I'm pretty much a VW freak. I'm only 17, but they're the only cars I've ever driven (on a regular basis). I learned to drive on a blue 2001 New Beetle 5 speed and it was so fun. When I was 5 years old, my aunt bought a 1997 VW Cabrio brand-new and took me for a ride in it and ever since then, I've wanted one (I bought one last year).
VWs are so fun to drive, they're reliable if you take care of them, and they're solid as a rock. Not that cheap Ford and Dodge crap that's put out these days.
Over the last few days, I've had to drive around an automatic 2004 Nissan Sentra. Nissans are reliable cars, but it bores me to TEARS. It's just not a VW...

Elizabeth R

I dont drive a volkswagen , but I do enjoy their interiors and their great fuel mileage! Espically the 60mpg tdi!

darklide634

I love the way they look; i love the way they drive; i love the way they handle; i love the value; i love the torquey engines; i love the amazing interiors; i love the audi-like quality inside and out; i love the little things like how the turn signals have the quick lane change feature; i love how they are not as common as toyotas/hondas; i love how the car connects to you and doesn't just feel like an appliance that gets you from A to B... i love my VW

k-dawg

For me, driving my VW GTI is the same feeling I get paddling on a swift,pristine river in my kayak. The GTI & kayak inspire with their agility,speed,uniqueness & fun factor. It seems that both were designed expressly for my delight. It's the rare kind of car that can cheer you up from a bad mood. Yes, wicked fun to drive and can transport both our kayaks and bikes [with room to spare for my wife's gear, too].
So, for sheer spark and verve, for performance utility and value, whats not to like? Sure, VWs are fuel efficient,unique, and easy-on-the-wallet, etc. but I drive mine for PASSION.....

fenton

i dont really like the new ones that much. all people do is TRY to make them look cool and fast and load. to me its a waste of money. for the people that keep them to factory specs i say good for you.

no, i like the old Volkswagens a hell of a lot. im a bug fanatic of all air-cooled VW's. they look and perform spectacularly.

Air-Cooled

I drive one because I'm married to a VW fanatic. We own 2 old Beetles and a 62 Double cab. Those are just the street legal ones, we also have our own personal junk yard. He rebuilds trannys as a side job. I guess he got that from his Dad who owned them back in the day. We had a new Beetle once but it was junk.

Angel70

How do you turn a vw beetle into an automatic and if there is a certain part then what would that be?

I have a 71 vw beetle.
Not too fond of driving a stick.
I have a 71 vw beetle.
Im not too into the whole stickshift thing.
Along with my question...How much would converting it approximately be?

Asked by: Jaimie =] @ 2009-03-30 18:07:04

Answers ::
They make or made an auto-stick for the older bugs. Could be tricky to find one. Just have to google until you find what you're looking for.

Rob

You will need the transmission and the shifting mechanism (including the console). Switch it over.
It might be cheaper, or at least easier to try to find a bug with the automatic.

Old Man Dirt

Sorry but it's not possible to convert it. (At least at reasonable cost). Even if you could you would destroy the cars historic value.

That far back I don't think an auto was even an option.

If you can't handle the stick the sell the car, there are plenty of enthusiasts who will buy it then get yourself something with an auto.

Ian M

Ian M

You'll need a flywheel, pedal cluster and the autostick tranny. You're going to have a very hard time finding parts to keep an autostick running as there is little or no aftermarket support.

I've never heard of anyone wanting to go that direction, only a swap TO manual.

Don't do it. You can find an intact autostick bug cheap enough without butchering your current one.

Jay S

well your in luck VW did have an auto-stick tranny. its not a full manual though, keep that in mind before you do the swap. you still need to move the shift lever from L to 1 to 2. you do this however without depressing a clutch pedal. there is a torque converter and a vacuum control servo clutch that engages when the shifter is moving between the gears. there is a fair amount ot work and several key parts that need to ba swapped with auto-stick parts.

1. the transmission- obviously. now they are out there but they are very hard to find. and individual parts for the tranny are even harder.

2. the shift rod linkage in the tunnel will need to be replaced because the nose cone on a manual tranny is a bit shorter than that of the auto tranny. remove this through the front of the car. you need to remove that circle plate on the front skirt behind the bumper and then another metal plate behind the skirt. undo the bolts and the shifter and pull it out.

3. the shifter assembly itself will need replacing with an auto-stick one. they are different and it will not work.

4. the pedal cluster is different as well.(no clutch pedal). these can be easier to find than other parts. that will just bolt right up.

5. little stuff like finding a torqe converter and pressure plate for an auto-stick will be hard.

most of the parts are hard to find though unless you find a cheap parts car and you know all the parts are there and properly working.

good luck. best wishes for you and your Beetle.

Air-Cooled

how do I raise my lowered VW?

I have a 72 that was lowered by using a 66 front end. I'm riding on just the air pressure of my tires and can't play a CD! it's bump and gross.. help!

Asked by: OohSoozeQ @ 2009-03-30 20:01:58

Answers ::
get larger springs

frenchrevan

sounds like you should get a suspention upgrade...

Domgod

take it to a mechanic dude

Cheer_up_son

First of all, unless your frame head was changed to a king pin suspension up front you cant have a 66 front beam. I believe (correct me if im wrong) 67 was the first year of the ball joint beam.
Here's what you can do
Get a used beam that rides right. kind of a lot of work but easy work. 4 bolts to disconnect the the beam, two break lines, and the steering shaft.

Get new leaf springs in your own beam. but you would have to do the above plus pull apart the beam.

This might work and would be REALLY easy. Get those coil over
shocks for like $80 and put those on the front.
Good Luck
ps have you checked for beam adjusters?

Fo-Ville

Depending on how its answered either get raised spindles (stock maybe). If not then do what other dude said about ball joints.

greensystemsgo

whats wrong with my (mk,3) 97/98 vw golf gti?

the car engine cuts out when breaking to a stop ant it keeps idleing up and down below 1000rpm ive ajusted it to (tick over) a bit better but when the engine warms up and it picks up to around 2000rpm. Also the rev limiter kicks in a bit to early at 5000rpm. can anyone help me please

Asked by: Chris G @ 2009-03-30 13:08:12

Answers ::
It sounds like your throttle body either needs basic settings and a clean or it needs to be replaced, it could also be a possible fault eith an engine speed sensor

scarbouro

try to change your fuel filter sometimes those can cause weird problems like that.

James B

Guessing here, but I'd say fuel filter or Air Flow Meter

hot sausage

Post your question of the following web site

www.vwaudiforum.co.uk

They are very helpful and will solve your problem for you quickly.

PHIL B

First thing I'd do is clean you Idle air control valve with carburettor cleaner,then check for vacuum leaks in all the little (6mm) hoses,then check the throttle position sensor (t,p,s).code reading it wouldn't hurt either.

blackcloud

Help me name my new VW Beetle?

I need your help naming my new VW Beetle. I need to give it an identity. The color is platinum grey. My daughter has been calling it Fritz, but it is not sticking. And my sister thinks that girl names are just out of the question, as a grey cars just aren't feminine enough. Other names that we have been throwing around include Vin, and Gandolf. Please give me a suggestion. Thanks in advance for your help.

Asked by: Chad @ 2009-03-31 09:15:18

Answers ::
The old stand by Hubie.Just put a 67 on the doors.

nighttime_ran

So grey isn't feminine enough? Not even for the most feminine car that you can buy today?

If you give it a man's name everyone will think your car is a lesbian.

Matt Pearce

call it sammy or billy :)

ziggy

Please dont call it hubie like the other person suggested. And not the 67 either. If they are think of "HERBIE" that number would be a 53!

badb0y969

i have a 67 vw bug and it wont keep idled?

it will start but wont stay idled it shut off as soon as i take my foot off the gas.its got gas goin to the fuel pump, its got gas from the pump to the carb.im stock ineed help

Asked by: jp @ 2009-03-29 20:56:03

[Best Answer]Had the same fault on a Karmen Ghia,it wasn't the carb,or ignition timing,plugs etc etc it was a rubber diaphragm in the inlet manifold which had split,thus allowing too much air to be drawn into the carb,thus weakening the mixture to such an extent it wouldn't idle....

By : Freddy2 @ 1238395779

Answers ::
sounds like you have some clogged jets in the carburetor, try starting it, then open the hood, pull off the air cleaner, rev the motor up to about 3000 rpm and put your hand over the carburetor intake untill it almost dies then take your hand off to keep it running.
do this 2 or 3 times may help but what you need is a rebuild kit and an hour or two

what this method does is when you choke the carb, it sucks a high amount of fuel through the carb and alot of the time will clean out the jets to an extent. but it is a temporary fix

big daddy Z

Try adjusting the idle screw on the carb. You also might want to check the fuel filter, it could have a clog in it.

A man apart

Sounds to me like your idle jet in your carb might be clogged. Take the carb off unscrew all the jets, the jets are the flat head screws in your carb, and spray Carb cleaner threw the jets them self and the holes you took them out of.

To get more detailed answer of this question and any others you might have, go to www.thesamba.com and sign up for the forum, lot's of good people there who know there stuff.

Kyle F

Had the same fault on a Karmen Ghia,it wasn't the carb,or ignition timing,plugs etc etc it was a rubber diaphragm in the inlet manifold which had split,thus allowing too much air to be drawn into the carb,thus weakening the mixture to such an extent it wouldn't idle....

Freddy2

Monday, March 30, 2009

Is a VW Cabrio a girly car?

I was thinking of looking at one, but afraid of its possibility of being girly .

Here's a photo: http://www.horizonluxurycars.com/used_cars_images/2002_Volkswagen_Cabrio.jpg

Asked by: รհгεժժεгოﻪռ™ @ 2009-03-29 16:09:44

[Best Answer]Dont listen to the others no its not a girly car, all cars are unisex buy what you want. I have never heard of a car only made for females, just buy it if thats what you want.

By : darklide634 @ 1238399030

Answers ::
No matter what you do to customize it, a VW Cabrio will always be a girly car.

shmoodaddy

Only girls or vegan hippies drive Cabrios.

CAK

ya, its girly.

Jake

get an older cabby, they're much better.

visit www.vwvortex.com its a forum for vw enthusiasts like me:)

lilkrazykambo34

I drive a 1997 Cabrio and I LOVE everything about it, but I will confess that it is the ultimate chick car. There's just something about it that screams Malibu Barbie.
If the chick car look isn't what you're aiming for, then definitely go for an older model (1993 or older). The boxy body-style contrasted with the round headlights gets rid of most of the "girly" feel. You're not quite out of chick territory yet, though, so stick to the darker colors.
While I'm on the topic of Cabrios... The one and only gripe that I have with my car are the cup holders. They can perfectly fit one can of soda each, but don't make any plans bigger (or taller) than that. I find that the hard plastic "pockets" on each door make better cupholders than any of their engineers could have dreamed up. I use the real cupholders to hold my sunglasses. They fit perfectly.

Elizabeth R

Dont listen to the others no its not a girly car, all cars are unisex buy what you want. I have never heard of a car only made for females, just buy it if thats what you want.

darklide634

So, why do you drive a Volkswagen? What is it that made you really want a VW?

Asked by: gregb @ 2009-03-29 20:38:43

Elizabeth R

I dont drive a volkswagen , but I do enjoy their interiors and their great fuel mileage! Espically the 60mpg tdi!

darklide634

k-dawg

fenton

Air-Cooled

VolksWagen Beetle Car?

Why was the classic beetkle discontinued only a few years ago?

Asked by: dvdclarke @ 2009-03-29 10:17:19

Answers ::
It was still being used in places like Mexico because it was still cheap. Didn't meet our safety standards.

lurch

It could not pass the emissions test, and was considered too dangerous. Even though they were great little cars.

Scrappy52

It was deemed inappropriate to continue to build Hitlers car in the modern age.

jianfei

The Beetle went out of production in the USA in 1977 because it did not pass safety and emission standards.

Mexico was the last country to manufacture the original air-cooled beetles, they did this as late as mid 2003. The largest market for Beetle's in Mexico was in the Taxi market, the standard taxi used being the Beetle. In 2002, the Mexican government decided that for passenger safety all future taxis were required to have four doors.

This was probably one of the reasons for Mexico stopping production of these vehicles. (Beetle being two -door)

Replica

Just an addendum to replicars post.

1977 was indeed the last year for the standard Beetle in the US. The Super Beetle convertible was sold in the US until 1979. The air cooled Bus continued to 1979 as well. The replacement for the Bus, the Vanagon continued to use the air cooled engine until the middle of 1983.
Volkswagen was the first manufacturer to mass produce electronic fuel injection cars in the mid 70s possibly earlier in the type 3 not sure. the reason for the fuel injection was to meet the ever more stringent emission requirements in the US market. The aircooled engine needs to run a little rich as the fuel air charge going into the cylinder actually absorbed heat as it vaporized. As VW had to make the engines run leaner and leaner to meet emissions requirements the engine reliability and durability suffered. The aircooled models continued in 3rd world countries until the Mexican plant ceased production in 2003.

bill f

i have a 67 vw bug and it wont keep idled?

it will start but wont stay idled it shut off as soon as i take my foot off the gas.its got gas goin to the fuel pump, its got gas from the pump to the carb.im stock ineed help

Asked by: jp @ 2009-03-29 20:56:03

By : Freddy2 @ 1238395779

big daddy Z

Try adjusting the idle screw on the carb. You also might want to check the fuel filter, it could have a clog in it.

A man apart

Kyle F

Freddy2

Which car would you prefer, 2002 honda accord coupe or 2003-04 golf gls and why?

thanks

Asked by: Jon W @ 2009-03-29 20:20:01

Answers ::
accord. more reliable. VW's are garbage for reliability.

hello

Yea, go with the honda. They tend to hold their value better than most makes, and I had a 1998 accord sedan and it lasted me forever, and was very reliable. Great on gas too. I haven't really heard any praise about the golf. I prefer the look of the Accord over it as well.

betweenbreathing

Honda's are more reliable, cheaper to fuel, and maintain. and honda is also in the top ten list of stolen cars in 17 states. VW are faster, more comfortable, and durable.This is a question of preference, so I would rent both and and figure out the one I want.

dakota97slowpar

Yes, Honda is reliable. In my family's experience, so is VW. I own a VW turbo GTI; my wife has a Jetta; my son a Golf; my sister a 2000 Golf with 110,000 trouble-free miles on it. I have owned a Honda,Mazda and Ford. A few years ago I bought a used 2000 GTI. I enjoyed it immensely for 6 reliable years. Recently purchased a 2006 GTI; its the best car I've ever owned.
The main difference between other brands and VW is their solidity, roadholding suspensions, safety and much classier interiors.
Drive both and you'll see what I mean.

fenton

how much more horsepower would i get by putting an air intake on my 2007 wolfsburg vw jetta?

am debating if i should get an INJEN air intake or a no name brand one...what do you guys recommend?

Asked by: vdub2007 @ 2009-03-29 06:44:32

Answers ::
I personally recommend a K & N filter. Drop in air filter give about 5 horsepower, cone filters give about 20.

Gunners #1 fan

Not much.

Its just adding colder air to the engine...

Wyatt C

any where between 5 hp and 10hp ,INJEN makes a excellent product, don't go with a no name brand, cold air intakes are designed for each engine, if you want more hp , think about a cat-back exhaust also.

ernesto l

1998 R Reg VOLKSWAGEN Golf 1.4 E is it good?

is this a good car for 18 year old - does this car feel fast or very slow and what about the economic and reliability.

Asked by: shaki @ 2009-03-30 03:29:13

Answers ::
It'll be an OK car for you. But don't expect the insurance to be cheap.

One Happy Egg

good car just as long as has not got too many miles on the clock,
check oil filler cap for sludge and smoke when you rev it out of
exhaust.

wheelieman

It will be relatively slow as E means made for economy.
The reliability of a car at this age will always be poor as some components that are not worn out will e degraded due to age (plastics become brittle and rubber perishes with age)
Budget for having to replace worn out and aged parts or get a younger car with less possible faults.
Beware your finances as all cars will need expensive repairs sometimes. If it has air bag then this should be replaced at 10 years old for example

TSCouriers

Sunday, March 29, 2009

VW Beetle brake light flashing?

The break light on my VW beetle has blinked yesterday and today for about 3-5 seconds at a time and makes a sound. What can it be?

Asked by: Kamila @ 2009-03-28 06:56:11

Answers ::
do you have the parking brake on, if not its mos defentinly you brake line has a hole in it or your brake line. or yor master cylinder is defective. but if its flashing, most of the time its your brake fluid level check your brake fluid and if its low just fill er up with dot 9 brake fluid that should fix your problem. if not take to mechanic and let him inspect it be very care ful when driving if the brake fluid doesnt work because if its your master cylinder it could complely fail at any time,but 9/10 times its just your fluid level is to low. good luck

evil 9

Parking brake not being released all the way (or the switch thinking it's not released).
Brake fluid being low (can happen without problems over time - if you inside of the master cylinder is dirty looking you may want to have the brake fluid changed. As it ages it attracts water which will ruin brake components. If you have ABS it could result in a failed ABS controller - a $1,000 repair when $30 - $50 of preventative maintenance could have saved you the trouble and money) Use DOT4 fluid. DOT3 is not good for ABS systems and only a little less expensive. DOT5 is not compatible with VW brakes.
Low brake fluid can also be causes by a leaking brake cylinder - either master or wheel cylinder.

Last common item to cause the brake warning light to flash and bing is the ABS controller but most VW's will also flash an ABS light if it detects a problem there.

TomBombidil

I had the same problem on a 99 beetle. The ABS light was on as well. Ended up in a $700 repair and that was without labor rate. It was a failed ABS module.

jess

you more then likely have a low brake fluid level due to your brake pads been warn.as your pads wear the level drops.take it to your vw dealer and ask them to inspect your breakes

scarbouro

where can i find alarm relay?

97 vw jetta
i think the alarm system is draining the battery. when i connect meter between neg post and battery terminal,test lite comes on. car sits for a day or 2 and battery is dead

Asked by: flh79wv @ 2009-03-28 04:39:31

Answers ::
Sirencester!

Batina Batflaps

I would be very surprised ff a test light connected between negative post and battery terminal did not come on. The only time it will not light up is if you have a flat battery. This is voltage that you are checking in this manner and will not provide you with the answer you are looking for.

What you should be checking is to see if current (amperage) is flowing. To do this you have to connect an ammeter in series or use a 'clamp' ammeter.

It could be a number of things that is draining the battery, not necessary the alarm system unless it is faulty and being activated regularly.

Replica

It is more likely to be the door microswitch. They have a bad rep and drain the battery as well. Do the interior lights stay on? Here's a good free technical resource I like to use: http://www.vwvortex.com

ladybugewa

You forgot the clock, and the radio which keep warm by drawing 1/4 of 1/10th of an amp.
More than likely, your battery is on its death bed. Battery life is about 5 years once the acid is in there. They can short out internally.
So this is at least the second battery in the car(maybe even the 3rd)
Get it load tested at a garage. They will tell you if it is hooped.
That is normal.

The best answer is

how reliable are volkswagens?

how many miles are they good for, what type of issues do they generally have

Asked by: joe cool @ 2009-03-27 15:48:09

Answers ::
Best car I ever had! But, I had one when they were made in Germany. Don't know about now.

PENNYLANE

The key is maintenance.I had a 87 GTI that I put 440,000 miles on without a single breakdown. Heck I drove it from Florida to Vermont and back when it had 230,000 miles on it. I now have a 03 Jetta that I plan on getting the same out of. The only thing is to make sure you take care of it. Oil, filters,timing belt etc.

Arthur B

Just sold my mine...

Had a beetle that was 10 yrs old. Minor maintenance required but costly. Overall, very decent car just costly for any minute repairs. It had 125k and still ran great!

jess

My '98 New Beetle with 205,000 km has been excellent. The only thing I don't like is my local dealer, so I take it to an independent VW specialist and save money in the process. It's had regular maintenance, and replacing a couple of worn parts. That's all.
Very SOLID-feeling car too. Stands up to abuse well.

ladybugewa

How much is my 2004 volkswagen jetta worth?

It's in good condition.
No damage or dents.
Moonroof.
I want to lease a new one. Will they give me credit?

Asked by: newwave74 @ 2009-03-27 13:10:10

[Best Answer]Check the online used car value sites - Kelly Blue Book (http://kbb.com ) Edmunds (http://edmunds.com ) & North American Dealers Association (http://www.nadaguides.com )
Kelly is usually the highest of the used car appraisers however comparing between the three will give you an idea of consistency - if two match then they are probably accurate.

The big things needed to get the value are Make, Model, Engine, Transmission, & current Mileage. Other items with less impact are wheel type (cast wheels or steel with hub caps) anti lock brakes, moon roof, & stereo type.

By : TomBombidil @ 1238259160

Answers ::
do a search for kelley blue book and you can get an estimate there on their website

Sarah O

They won't give you much!

rottendog93

I tried to find out for you by using Kelley Blue Book but they asked some questions that I couldn't answer so go to http://www.kbb.com [Official Kelley Blue Book]. That should get you headed in the right direction.

eichingm

Check the online used car value sites - Kelly Blue Book (http://kbb.com ) Edmunds (http://edmunds.com ) & North American Dealers Association (http://www.nadaguides.com )
Kelly is usually the highest of the used car appraisers however comparing between the three will give you an idea of consistency - if two match then they are probably accurate.

The big things needed to get the value are Make, Model, Engine, Transmission, & current Mileage. Other items with less impact are wheel type (cast wheels or steel with hub caps) anti lock brakes, moon roof, & stereo type.

TomBombidil

How do you check the battery on 2005 Jetta 2.5L?

I was just in the delears to have my jetta serviced I was told that my battery needs to be replaced. I looked at my battery and the round window shows green and I don't have any problem starting my car. Do I need to replaced my battery when I don't have any problems or symptoms showing? Where can I purchased a battery? Autozone does not carry a 2005 Jetta battery.

Asked by: jtbmab @ 2009-03-28 13:06:31

Answers ::
Your battery is still under warranty. If the dealership changes the battery for free then just get it changed.

VW Man

no it is fine

seize_the_day

Batteries last on average about 5 years. There is no way to get to the store to get another battery if the one in the car dies, is there? They put a load test on it to see how strong the battery still is. And it sounds like it is in the barely adequate zone. You want to do it sooner rather than later because it is harder on the alternator(the charging system) when the battery does die. You could then burn out the alternator(which is more costly)and it steals horsepower when the alternator is charging the battery and all the engine electricals at full tilt.
As for where to get it. Note which side the positive post is on ..then grab a measuring tape and measure length width and height and go and get another battery at Wal-Mart or Costco. I got an 1000 amp battery cheap at Costco that fit under the hood of my car. My cars minimum requirement was 585 cranking amps. Going higher never hurts. It does not burn out the starter or the alternator or the electricals. Going lower will.
It just has to fit under the hood ( and I think in VW"s case, they have a plastic cover that goes ontop of the positive post (so it does not accidently touch the hood or the metal straps that hold the insulation in place on the hood. That is the only difference(oh yeah, they have VW stamped on the battery and that is worth bucks)
I did not fasten the battery down in my car and drove on a gravel road full of potholes and the positive post did touch the insulation strapping...it got red hot and burn a hole into the top of the battery plastic. and started the hood on fire. So, I stopped the car, popped the hood and put out the fire. Saw the damage, grabbed a plastic shopping bag and stuffed it into the hole and put a piece of plastic over the positive post. Later, I fastened down the battery. Still stuffed with the plastic bag in the hole so the acid does not come out. Plastic battery or plastic bag - didn''t matter. Battery still lasted over 5 years.
That was a $35.00 Costco battery @ 1000amps compared to $120 for a 600amp VW battery.
Measuring tape is all you need. Wal-Mart has batteries for VW and others that will fit too which have more amps but not specifically for VW but are cheaper. Do you buy a Ford battery for a Chev, or vice versa? A battery is a battery.
In any case the replacement battery is not free because a warranty is not a guarantee. You are gonna pay basically full price.
And VW does not make batteries. They have their name on it as it is specifically sized for VW.(so they say)

The best answer is

Usually, most places check the battery at mid or majour services; the "green eye" just means that the cell where the green eye is located is able to be tested. The "eye" is a mini hydrometer; green is at least 75% charged, black 50% charged, red 25%, yellow is discharged. The green eye only means that one cell has 2 volts, your battery has 6 cells, so at best, it means that the battery can be tested not that it is going to pass a battery test.

Because the weather is changing from winter cold (in most places) to warmer spring season weather, your starter does not need the maximum draw of electrical power to crank over. A battery can fail a load test, but still turnover a car if the weather isn't freezing. All other factors being equal, the battery ought to last thru the summer season. But, I must warn you, as soon as it gets cold, it probably won't start the car.

You're probably out of warranty at this point, either by time or milage. Normally, the batteries that come as standard equipment in most vehicles is good for 3- to 4 years, replacment batteries usually last up to 5 years if you bought a high quality replacement battery.

What ever battery you decide to buy, make sure that it meets or exceeds the CCA of your original battery (cold cranking amps) and don't cheap out on a battery. If you're going to keep the car, buy the best battery possible, it doesn't have to be a VW battery. Most aftermarket companies sell a battery that will fit your car.

Really, there are only a few battery manufacturers: Johnson Controls, Delco, Willard-Exide, TBC and maybe one or two smaller companies making 99% of batteries sold in the US. (batteries are almost never made by the company whose brand appears on the label) Buy a battery based upon CCA and how long the free replacement period is for the battery. Be careful, I've seen some batteries warranted as long as 96 months, but the "free replacement" period was only 90 days. This means that if your battery fails on the 91st day, you pay based upon the period of usage that you got, vs. the warranty period. In many cases you can buy a battery on the "street price" for less than the pro-rata price if the battery is more than a few years old.

Any way, I hope this helps, a car nut.

a car nut

fix my car.skipping.new plugs..wires..dist..rotor button..still skips...also a new coil!95 vw jetta any help?

Asked by: Marc B @ 2009-03-28 05:20:02

Answers ::
Everything replaced are ignition parts,check fuel injector or compression of misfired cylinder.

Carman Nguyen

Did you do a compression test? You may have a burnt valve. Also look in the radiator when the car is cold and running. Any bubbles could mean bad head gasket. Water coming out the exhaust also an indicator.

Never2L8

you replaced ignition parts?

uhh. best plan. Buy American.

hardcorenuissance

Well, blindly going in there and replacing parts does not guarantee you fix the problem(as you can see) Changing the coil was a waste of cash. The coil works or it doesn't - it does not do a 50/50 thing.(it is like a light bulb - good or burnt out). Taking it to the dealer mechanic (somebody who does this work for a living) or (any bloody mechanic) would have been cheaper. As it could be bad gas, valves, bad muffler bearings....I am guessing it is simpler than that - like a cracked vacuum line(cost $2.00) or less

The best answer is

Why can I hear water sloshing about inside the boot lid on my VW Polo?

The other day when I opened the boot lid on my 6 year old Polo I could hear water sloshing about between the plastic lining and the outer metal bit. It dripped out when the boot was open onto the parcel shelf. Have checked rear washer which seems not to be leaking. Any other suggestions? Has anyone else had this problem?

Asked by: liz b @ 2009-03-28 10:00:44

Answers ::
Yea on my TT! Has it got a spoiler? If so, chances are the seal has gone on that.

Sal*UK

i think u have water injestion in ur booit

J M

you need to take off the plastic interior trim of your boot lid after you do this watch your head for the water coming out,you will more then likely find that your washer pipe has become disconected from your washer motor and is leaking into your boot lid.its easy to repair as it is only a plastic pipe.

scarbouro

Saturday, March 28, 2009

How many miles per gallon does a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle get?

Asked by: davidx385 @ 2009-03-27 06:48:57

Answers ::
I had a 1969 bug but it would have had the same motor and transission as your 1967. I made around 24-28mpg. This was not highway miles, this was just me driving to work and back.

yourbugsrmine

VW claimed the 1600 would get 30mpg.

gaston

Definitely depends on the driver, the terrain, and the winds. You get better MPG going down the hill with a tail wind than if you were barreling up the hill in low gear in a head wind. Are you a 400 pounder or 160?

The best answer is

Average stock 1600cc bug gets around 26-28mpg in the city and 28-30 on the highway. Not as good as most people would expect it to be.

badb0y969

Around 26mpg. Excellent considering the battleships it shared the roads with at the time.

Jay S

if its a dual port yea 24-28 average the single ports just because lose of power about 20-24

Adam

which is the fault, the part or the mechanic?

I RECENTLY HAD A SHOP INSTALL A FUEL PUMP ON MY 92 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER( IT WAS LOCTED IN THE GAS TANK) I PURCHASED MY OWN PART TO SAVE THE EXTRA MONEY THEY WOULD CHARGE IF THEY GOT IT FOR ME.SO, ONLY THE LABOR WAS GUARANTEED BY THEM.BUT NOT THE PART . WHEN I GOT HOME, I NOTICED THAT MY GAS GUAGE WAS NOT WORKING, BUT IS WAS BEFORE THE INSTALLATION! I CONSIDER THIS A LABOR DEFECT NOT THE PART. BUT THEY CLAIM OTHERWISE AND WANT TO CHARGE TO FIX IT AGAIN! WHO IS RIGHT?
I PAID $160 FOR THE LABOR. THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE $200 FOR THE PART,20% THEY ADD ON TO GET IT DELIVERED TO THEM.I GOT THE PART FOR $160 MYSELF. PLUS I DID NOT TRUST THAT THEY WOULD GET A JUNKYARD PART BUT CHARGE ME FOR NEW ONE!

Asked by: ptt_pntr @ 2009-03-27 04:09:06

Answers ::
How much do they want to charge you? They should be offering to drop the tank and check the fuel gauge wire connection on the outside of the tank. The fuel pump and the fuel gauge sending unit run off 2 different wires. My guess is that the fuel gauge wire wasn't hooked up properly, if at all. As soon as they drop the fuel tank they will find the problem. I doubt they will let you watch as they don't sound very trustworthy. If they have to pull the pump, the trick is making sure that they don't sabotage the new unit to cover their tracks. Maybe you should find another mechanic?!?!

Cettoman

Have another shop looks at it,then take the receipt back to the one did it if their fault asking reimburse,but first talk to them about it.There is conflict of interest,and benefit of the doubt.

Carman Nguyen

well most likey they are at fault but you get what you pay for you was looking for cheap work and you got cheap work and really if you buy the part you dont save any money they still charge you want they want to fix it and it would be smart to just go to another place since that one is not a great place that they wouldnt repair a mistake.. best not to go back

kelly_f_1999

This is very easy. You could go to the dealership and ask the parts department if the fuel pump also controls the sending unit(for the fuel gage). They will tell you no. You then ask them how does the fuel gage work in an off hand way. And most likely they will tell you as they just finished looking at it on the microfiche. OKay. Now you are informed. You can go back to that garage and tell those guys that you are clued in. It is their fault. They missed a wire for the sending unit. (they already know that). Of course they "want to" charge again...but that is where you tell them they buggered your car up and either they are gonna fix it or you will have their business license revoked. (Report them to the BBB or whatever). You did not pay to have your car broken by them. (You have other people for that job.)
You have some pretty wacky so-called mechanics out there. .
I have never run across the type of low-lifes you describe...and I wouldn't do that myself. I pride myself on fixing it.

The best answer is

The replaced fuel pump I assume is working. Hence, it is neither the part nor directly the labour in fitting the pump that is faulty.

What I think could have happened:-
a. The cable from the fuel gauge sensor has come adrift or was (either accidental or purposefully) not re-connected when they worked on the tank - in this case poor workmanship
b. The fuel gauge was, due to its age, damaged when the tank was removed by the handling of the tank - no one to blame
c. The wire from the fuel sensor has been shorted out when refitting the tank - poor workmanship.

The reality of the situation is you are going to have a problem placing ownership of the problem on the mechanic.

I must admit that I do not use garages to work on my cars because over the years I have discovered that even the most reputable are not immune from fitting a second hand part and charging for a new one or the car has more faults with it after they have worked on it. I have never been able to get them to admit liability in these cases.

My recommendation is that you try and see if you can identify any loose hanging (disconnected) wire in the vicinity of the fuel tank. If there is one try and reconnect it yourself. If this is not feasible, take it to another garage for them to check out repair. Ask them for a quote before they replace any parts (e.g. fuel sensor unit) and if you accept their quote, tell them you want the old part that they have removed. You will not be able to check whether they fitted a new sensor as it is inside the tank, therefore asking them for the old part is a partial check to try and ensure that the part was actually replaced.

Replica

How much is my 2004 volkswagen jetta worth?

It's in good condition.
No damage or dents.
Moonroof.
I want to lease a new one. Will they give me credit?

Asked by: newwave74 @ 2009-03-27 13:10:10

Answers ::
do a search for kelley blue book and you can get an estimate there on their website

Sarah O

They won't give you much!

rottendog93

eichingm

TomBombidil

will a small 6 foot ikea couch fit in the back of my VW rabbit hatchback with the seats folded down?

I'm 80% sure that it will fit cause my little car rocks but I'm not for sure.,,

Asked by: smallwhiteflower @ 2009-03-27 10:00:40

Answers ::
Bring rope and a red flag, be prepared to take some of it apart (all ikea stuff comes with "some assembly required".)

gaston

it will probably stick out some... The last thing i moved in my GTI was a desk thats about 3 feet long and 2.5 feet tall. :-)

:-)

Not all inside. A plank maybe shooting over the front passenger seat to the floorboards. It is all about experimentation. Use a measuring tape and a straight piece of wood to give you an idea first. Take out the passenger seat and you can get in more but it depends on the couch shape and width.

The best answer is

NO NEVER

how do I check the gearbox oil in a golf mk4?

Hi was wondering where/how to check the gearbox oil in my golf mk4? ive had it for a yr and have never checked but now its making funny noises, how do i get at the gearbox etc?

Asked by: biatchlfc @ 2009-03-27 09:48:53

Answers ::
look in the drivers/maintenance manual

717

Mostly with car gearboxes you have to find the level plug on the side somewhere and top up the oil with car on level ground until a little runs out.
They do not have dip sticks like the engine.

TSCouriers

How do you know the noise is funny? If you are a mechanic, then you would know. Otherwise you are lacking in the knowledge to know what is right and what is wrong. Take it in and pay the big bucks and they will analyze it for you. Again, there may be(most likely) nothing wrong but hey, they needed the beer money.

The best answer is

fix my car.skipping.new plugs..wires..dist..rotor button..still skips...also a new coil!95 vw jetta any help?

Asked by: Marc B @ 2009-03-28 05:20:02

Answers ::
Everything replaced are ignition parts,check fuel injector or compression of misfired cylinder.

Carman Nguyen

Never2L8

you replaced ignition parts?

uhh. best plan. Buy American.

hardcorenuissance

2003 VW Passat Brake Failure?

Yesterday, my brakes completely failed on my Passat. Luckily, I was just pulling out of a parking look, so I wasn't going fast, but the petal went to the floor and I had not brakes at all. I had to use the emergency brake to stop. Prior to this happening my ABS/ASR light came on but went out. First we thought it was the ABS control unit, but I was told that an ABS control unit would not cause total brake failure. They said it is either the brake lines or Master cylinder. Any other thoughts?

Asked by: stars2328 @ 2009-03-27 10:18:55

Answers ::
lines or master cylinder

chevyss396427

>"Any other thoughts?"

How's this?

Perhaps you should get your car to some place that can diagnose and fix it!

Master or you have no brake fluid.

The best answer is

Friday, March 27, 2009

what would happen if gearbox oil was to run out vw golf mk4?

would it make a noise or anything if there was hardly any gearbox oil left?

Asked by: biatchlfc @ 2009-03-26 06:24:39

Answers ::
well beside wearing of parts it would just stop working so when was last tiem you had it check or added gear oil to it

kelly_f_1999

you would blow your rear end or your gears

zwalshz75

It would eventualy seize up but it is surprising how long they can run with little oil in them

arlanymor

not as much noise as you would when a garage charges you £1,000 for a reconditioned 2nd hand one

kevin friend

The oil acts as a lubricant primarily, so you would find increased friction leads to higher wear on your gears and a greater chance of teeth breaking off the gears. The oil also helps to remove debris from the gearbox, so if you don't have any and a gear tooth breaks off the chances are that it'll fall straight into the gear interface and you'll get a nice catastrophic failure. Probably best to keep your oil topped up

ElRobo0905

it knacks the bearings doh!!!!!!

J R

Dashboard lights not working, why?

My husband's van dashboard lights are not working. Everything else is lit but the dashboard where the gages are. Does anyone know where the fuse box is located? Could be as simple as changing a fuse?

Asked by: rachel @ 2009-03-26 16:06:57

Answers ::
did you check the dim dial?

claire _

Check the fuse box, it should be under the dashboard or on the sides just below the dash. It could also be under the hood.

Mike

Yes it could be a fuse. The box is usually on the side of the dash next to the door. Has he checked the dimmer switch? There is an adjustment it could be turned down or have gone bad.

diofanbo

the fuse box should be under the dash somewhere, near the steering column or maybe near the door on your drivers side, look underneath

fancynancy@y7mail.com

Yeah thats probably your best bet, i had that problem during hurricane Ike i plugged my inverter into the ac outlet of my truck and the radio went out, but the lights were lit on the dashboard. So my cousin (the mechanic) replaced the fuse and it worked like magic! The fuse box is usually in the area under the steering wheel but my truck had it under the hood near the driver's window. So you might want to consult your manual.

Gato Con Botas

volkswagen campervan westfalia 1972?

type 2 bay window....can anyone tell me please where i can aquire a replacement canopy.......thanks..

Asked by: hacketpuss @ 2009-03-26 09:47:53

[Best Answer]Go onto http://www.earlybay.com/ and post the same question there, guarantee you'll get a much better response! My boss has a '71 dormobile and uses Earlybay for parts, advice etc.

Hope this helps

By : fatrab @ 1238105436

Answers ::
Try the Samba.com I hear they have about every thing or someone there can help you find it.

uthockey32

JC whitney has them.

For the money, find a local seamstress and have one made. I did and it worked out fine and cheap. Look under custom sewing in the yellow pages.

gaston

Go onto http://www.earlybay.com/ and post the same question there, guarantee you'll get a much better response! My boss has a '71 dormobile and uses Earlybay for parts, advice etc.

Hope this helps

fatrab

go to a sailboat merchant..........the people who make sails locally will easily make what you need.....they'll do a great job too.........

al t

how can i tell if a car i may buy has been clocked?its an 02 Volkswagen Passat SE tdi 130bhp?

Asked by: auto head @ 2009-03-26 11:59:50

Answers ::
Look for signs of high use; worn seat edges and swithces. Worn pedals (altho' rubber may be replaced), lots of stone chips. Many factors
can point to a less than genuine odometer reading. Ask the seller for proof of mileage such as service book and old MOT'S!

pete h

If you don't get MOT's You can actually go on to the VOSA website and check the mileage for every computerised MOT.

matty

Take it to VW and have them put it onto their diagnostic machine, they'll tell you the actual mileage within seconds (and charge you £40 for the privilege).

When cars are clocked it is the memory for the display that is changed NOT the ECU. The true recorded mileage cannot be changed by the "vehicle mileage correction" services which are readily available.

Hope this helps

fatrab

order a carfax on it...........best $20 you'll ever spend.......

al t

can any1 tell me what year a volkswagen golf is with reg IAZ?

Asked by: mummy to be @ 2009-03-26 08:18:39

Answers ::
Yep. Your nearest VW dealer

hot sausage

Thats a irish plate I think, I looked at one with similiar plate and it was a 1999 model, cant you ask the owner?

Joanne K

The prefix AZ is issued to vehicles registered in Belfast City. AAZ 1001 was first registered in 1991 and continued to YAZ 9999 issued in 1999. By doing the math, IAZ was issued sometime in 1994. I hope this helps.

bdiskman

You can't tell the year from that reg.
It's only fairly recently that private reg.numbers with a Z in them were permitted here.
I think they were origonally from the Irish republic.

River boat queen

Anyone know where i could get a clear plastic replacement light cover for a VW mk4 rear light?

Hey, right, what happened was, i was trying to tint my rear lights for my vw golf Mk4, until a sudden gust of wind came and knocked one off its place and dropped onto the floor and cracked the plastic cover, the bit where you tint onto, anyways these lights aren't the OEM lights, there are a set purchased from halfords, they say i would have to purchase a new pair, which i didn't really intend to do, so i am just wanting to know if there is anywhere that sold this item, Thanks :)
i should mention that i have looked on ebay and no luck so far, but im always looking :)
i should mention that i have looked on ebay and no luck so far, but im always looking :)

Asked by: Jez @ 2009-03-26 14:27:07

Answers ::
ebay!

mazza075

Have you tried German and Swedish car parts? Not sure where you are based in UK,but go on-line and have a look..also Euro Car parts in Wembley are a good source of parts for European motors..good luck.

Freddy2

http://www.twenga.co.uk/search.php?q=light+cover+VW+mk4&p=1670&k=1

one of those these should do ya rightly!! :)

russel.sarah16

Hi I got a smoked set on www.gumtree.com, go to that website, then go 2 ur city, people sell everything on it, i advertised for free that i was looking light covers & some1 in my area replyd & they were cheap!

goodluck

biatchlfc

which is the fault, the part or the mechanic?

Asked by: ptt_pntr @ 2009-03-27 04:09:06

Cettoman

Have another shop looks at it,then take the receipt back to the one did it if their fault asking reimburse,but first talk to them about it.There is conflict of interest,and benefit of the doubt.

Carman Nguyen

kelly_f_1999

The best answer is

Thursday, March 26, 2009

VW Beetle - is it a suitable car if you have a 2 1/2 year old child?

I really really really want a VW Beetle but my fiance is telling me it is unsuitable. Is there anyone that maybe has this car with a child and do they find it hard work etc? I would really appreciate everyone's views.
Thanks

Asked by: Charlotte S @ 2009-03-25 01:46:05

Answers ::
They're fine if you want a 30 year old car, with an add on heater, the most dangerous rear suspension on any car-everyone else, almost, has stopped using it. And noisy. OK as the peoples car at the end of the war, the industry has come a long way since.

ianhad

VW is a bad car and pricey to fix.

U down

I'm thinking that they mean the New Beetle (98-present). I don't think anyone actively looks for the old aircooled bugs anymore besides enthusiasts.

If I'm right, then I would say a NB would be an okay car if you have a young kid. The backseat is cramped, but should be fine until they get around 4-4.5 feet tall. I haven't actually climbed into the backseat of one so I can't comment on accessiblity. My advice would be to go to a dealership and look at one there in person. Just try your best to convince the salesman that your not interested in buying that day.

Oh, and I would stay away from a '98 or '99 as they had more problems being they were still a very new design then. Newer ones are more reliable.

Karl

Well from my personal experiance I would avoid them like the plague. I was driving behind one on the road when we saw it swerve and nearly crash into the side barrier. The motor is under the back seat and it had caught fire which they have been known to do. Luckily we managed to rip the burning seat out before it got any worse. She had just bought it off the lot 2 days ago after an inspection too!! Very scary. Also in case of an accident I would like to have 4 or more doors to be able to get out of than just 2... Something else to bear in mind. Stay safe and good luck!

Bondgyrl

If you are talking about the old version, dont buy one.

brian t

The old version is no where near as safe as a modern vehicle and I would not want my kids in one. designed in WW2 as a utility vehicle!
The newer version is a VW Golf 2 door with a different body on it. May be awkward with a child due to poor boot space but as safe as a Golf would be. Not so popular as they were as seen as a bit twee.
if you want something a bit different and convenient look at Peugeot 1007 - a bit quirky and not many were sold as people were afraid of inovations on it.
My other half has one and loves it and it was ridiculously cheap for its miles and year. I also like driving it sometimes as well. It even has a flappy paddle gearbox.

TSCouriers

My wife and I bought a 1999 New Beetle that we put 100,000+ miles on. Great reliability! Due to the innovative way that the seats are designed we had easy access when putting our son in his child's seat. The seats fold forward and slide out of the way.
With 2 more additions to the family,we finally had to sell our beloved New Beetle. We bought a VW Jetta!

fenton

Sure, why not. Passenger seat fits an adult. And chances are that is where the kid is going, ain't it. Whether it be a new beetle or old. And they NEVER caught fire because of the engine. That is a tale of lunatics. Take a look. The battery is under the back seat. Chances are it is the wrong battery(too high with uncovered battery posts) and when positive and negative posts touch the seat springs you get a shorting happening(it glows red hot and the seat catches on fire(it is an electrical fire due to putting in a cheap chevy battery in there. I know, I did it in a VW rabbit. Wrong battery and bumpy road and it shorted out on the hood.
They are extremely well built cars using "strip" welding rather than spot "welding" methods. They do not fall apart. And the new ones have multiple air bag protection

The best answer is

What type of engine should I get in a Volkswagen?

I have been looking at a used Volkswagen Passat and I am not sure whether to get one with a 4 cylinder engine of 6 cylinder engine. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I would like the car to be worth the money and not be in the shop all the time. What should I get?

Asked by: Jack A. @ 2009-03-24 19:35:22

Answers ::
the four cylinder is easier to get parts for and cheaper to get parts for. Easier on gas also

jbsbodyshop1

if it is 2006- present, the 4 cylinder 2.0T engine is purely brilliant. It is a award winning that is commended around the world for being both incredibly powerful, while also being reliable and fuel efficient. Its used across the Volkswagen in some Jetta's, all GTi's, most Eos's, most passat's, and even the Tiguan. Audi also uses it in their A3 and A4.

My 2007 GTi has it, and i couldnt be happier. The engine is so fast and peppy, yet i can easily get over 30mpg if i want. If i go the speed limit, especially on the highway, i get 35mpg.

Cody M

The four cylider...for the reasons previously mentioned...1.8t or newer 2.0t...the v6 is horrible and the VR6 wont give any respectable mileage

G W

I had a Jetta which the engine is the same as a passat. Def. go wit the 4 cylinder since its a lot easier to fix up if u r into that kinda stuff. Better on gas and if u want quicker acceleration get the 1.8l Turbo engine. I had a 1.8l 4 cylinder turbo for the jetta and i got it up to 300 hp wit a non-expensive budget, may it rest in peace :*(

nikita

I would stay AWAY from Passats. Unless you like repairing your car constantly. Valve cover gaskets, CV boots, Upper links, and Tie rod ends fail all the time. And they are more expensive to do maintainence on...To do the Timing belt - The whole front bumper has to come off the car and it has to be put in SERVICE position.

Jetta / GTI 2.0 - slow, realible
Jetta / GTI 1.8T - upgradable power, more problems than 2.0
Jetta / GTI VR6 - Fast bone stock, barely any problems if maintained.

Evil O

Kia

The best answer is

There are a lot of differences in the different years of Passats. I've owned mine since '95, so I'll pretend I'm an expert.

If you are talking '95 - '97 Passats, the only choice is a diesel 4-cylinder or a VR6. The gas 4-cylinder ones were pretty slow. My VR6 gets over 30mpg on the highway - up to about 33.

Evil O is frustrated by Passats because he has been working on '98 to '2004 Passats. They kinda suck. The handling is too soft, the car is too heavy, and the reliability was way off. Mine's not the poster child of reliability, but the '98's on up were pretty bad. In that car, the engines were much different. The 4-cylinder turbo 1.8t is a great engine. The 2.8L V6 (not a VR6) had problems with oil leaks and other stuff, and didn't make much more power than the 1.8t. No reason to get the 2.8V6. A gently modified 1.8t engine can walk all over it.

The new Passats are much nicer cars. They continue to get bigger a bit, but the suspension feel is much better than the previous cars. The engines continue to evolve. The 2.0T is even better than the 1.8T was, and makes for as fast a car as my V6. I haven't driven the new VR6, but I bet I'd cheer for it, too. The difference with the new cars is as much in trim levels as anyhing else. You can't get automatic windshield wipers and other nice stuff with the 2.0T, last I checked. The cars are more divided by features than by engines.

I understand Evil's frustration, but really, I can have the front of my car off in about 20 minutes. That's a lot if you do it every day, but hardly a reason to not buy the car, as an owner. Besides, no matter what car its in, I'll bet the bumper is the least of your worries when it is time to change the timing chain in a VR6 (not that you need that for a good 13 years or so (knock on wood)).

Old volkswagan bettle , HELP!!!!!!!!?

hey , i have been looking for a bettle for a while now , and i have find one i think i like but when test drove it ,it was very bumping and everything raddled a lot . and when i was in 4th gear it was still raveing at lot ? is this normal or not ?.
Bettle owners!!!!!!!!! ,what are something to look out for when it come to looking to buy a 40 year old vw bettle

Asked by: roxy @ 2009-03-25 04:11:46

[Best Answer]No its not normal. Without the year though, I really cannot tell you what could be the problem. What I can tell you though is this:

When buying a beetle, follow what is listed on this website. Its a great mechanical website and also written so everyone can understand it. Good luck:

http://www.vw-resource.com/buying.html

Bumpy could be shocks though, as for the revving in 4th, it could be the clutch or throw-out bearing.

By : vwbuggin64 @ 1237993053

Answers ::
I cannot answer your questions, but the car is a Volkswagen Beetle.

DOUCHEaSAURUS

floor pans, make shure they are not rusted especially around the battery area. It is gonna be bumpy that is just they way they drive. They almost drive like a go cart because they are so compact and light.the rattling could be confusing you to the exhaust as they are loud...just a few

chris M

Parts are quite plentiful if you know where to look. Check out your nearest dune buggy shop. JC Whitney used to carry a bunch of VW parts, but I'm not sure if they still do. Join a VW owners online forum and many of them have parts and pieces for sale - some even give them away to congenial forum participants. You will meet folks from all over the world and possibly make some new friends, to boot..

The revving problem that you describe sounds like a slipping clutch that needs either adjustment or changeout.

Although I'm not a big VW fan, they are very simple and easy to repair. Most of them have TONS of miles on them and that lends itself to the rattles. You would be well served to do a frame off restoration to check all of the body to chassis locations and replace worn steering and suspension parts. It's less work than one might think.

When you're done, you'll not only have a solid, reliable ride, but a working knowledge of this piece of German engineering.

Cettoman

Firstly Beetle is spelt Beetle and secondly I think you meant rattled not raddled. As for the Beetle be prepared to spend a lot of money fixing it up over time - they are an old car and even though a lot of them look good done up and looking cute they are not worth more than $2000 - many are advertised for $4000 and more because they are painted up and people love them. Be smart and buy for mechanically sound cars not for cuteness.
Hope this helps.

Edward

The car might need a new clutch and new shock absorbers.

Bill M

No its not normal. Without the year though, I really cannot tell you what could be the problem. What I can tell you though is this:

When buying a beetle, follow what is listed on this website. Its a great mechanical website and also written so everyone can understand it. Good luck:

http://www.vw-resource.com/buying.html

Bumpy could be shocks though, as for the revving in 4th, it could be the clutch or throw-out bearing.

vwbuggin64

It sounds like that the clutch is slipping.If there is oil on the clutch then there is a problem.There is not a rear crankshaft seal on the Beetle relying on a scroll to throw the oil back and that could be a big expense for you.Handbrake cables seize.There is no heater worth talking about.Rust is a problem on a car that age, particulaly around the suspension mountings

arlanymor

VW Camper - Air cooled vs Water cooled?

Basically, is it worth converting a type 2 VW Camper's engine from an Air cooled to a water cooled engine? I know I'd have to add a radiator etc but I really don't want to break down and do the bus damage by over-heating in heavy traffic. Whats everyones views on this?

I don't care about it being original. Everyone seems to be really bothered about it having an original, old-school engine. I'm not even slightly bothered by that.

Thanks folks :D

Asked by: Lauren20 @ 2009-03-25 01:07:42

Answers ::
you will need a complete new engine block to do that unless the original block already has the water jacket in there plus you will need to manually mount the rad and calculate the space needed...again if the mount holes are already there then its ok.
theres a lot to think about!
a friend of mine, all he did was get 2 electric fans off a peugeot car and mount them on the inside of the engine bay so when he came to traffic, he just switched them on. you will be suprised how cool it keeps the engine.

broadcasting_solutions

if you have a water cooled engine, there's some more weight, and a few more components to check and care for. And, most importantly, keep that radiator free of bugs and debris because, after all, it's still an air cooled engine. But if you have the cash swap the engine for a Porsche engine, it will go like a bat out of hell :)

Leo

Well. iwouldn't bother changing my engine,think of it is it for heat if so, i would sort my heater-exchangers make they sure they were tight to the hose-pipes leading to the front of the motor, and i have had four of these campers van's one was a split screen e reg, i still love them, leave it the way it is ok.. houndog9@ya

houndog9@yahoo.co.uk

VW Bus's have been on every continent for 60 years or so. Properly tuned and maintained they are just as reliable as anything else. That's the sticky part. Not many people understand the details of these old engines anymore. They have crossed deserts and glaciers, and the beetle still races in the Baja 1000 race.

bill f

There was a fairly successful conversion to a 2400 pinto motor that was popular. Then the waterboxers had the big Suburu engine conversion that the guys who had the $$$$$$ for that sort of thing rave about.

Personally, rather than spend a ton on the one you have (as a camper in original condition it is worth some $$) I would look into some of the nice mini motor homes available for not much money and a bunch more HP.

The motor home market right now is in the dumper. It's a buyers market!!

gaston

If it was meant to be water cooled it would have water ways and a rad, so you cant change it!!

hot sausage

If you learn how to drive an air cool properly - the techniques are different than a water cooled engine(didn't know that did you?) you won't have any problems.
In other words, don't drive like a granny in an automatic. Drive more like Mario Andretti(which means shifting down and up). You overheat by lugging it. The fan which cools the engine is driven by the engine. The faster the motor turns the faster the fan goes(cooling the engine down).
For example going by what I remember. on 4 speeds. At 30 Mph you could shift from second to third (on the flats)most do that. But if you were climbing a hill in the road, I would shift at 38(or so) Fan is going faster in second because motor is going faster(so the motor is being cooled downward as the fan blows down from above. If you are really hauling "azz" you could shift at 45 into third. The engine will handle that better than if you lugged up the hill in third or fourth gear because there is no air being blown down through the cooling fins.
Third gear can be shifted to fourth at 30MPH if you were just coasting along on the flats, however, by the little red marks on the speedo the shift point is more like 45 MPH (yeah, that is what the marks are for). Third to fourth can also be done at 60(again you are hauling butt)

Much simpler than monkeying around trying to get a water cooled mickey mouse operation out of what you got.

Learn to drive. I am simply stating a fact.
It is... different. Very similar to motorcycles. (They do not last long if you lug them either.)

The best answer is

I need to hotwire my '71 Volkswagen type 3. Anyone able to help me find out how?

It is my car, I lost the only key though and have no money to replace it =/
i have a full tank, enough to get me to work and back until the next paycheck :-)

Any come on, don't you think, if I had stolen cars before, that this one would be comparatively easy, being so old?
I have the wiring diagram, but it groups all of the wires for the ignition, turn signals, horn, etc. together.

I honestly have no other option, I need to get to work every day, so I'm gonna go for it lol.

Asked by: David L @ 2009-03-24 19:17:21

Answers ::
you stole enough cars, you should know how it works :)

MusicMan '08

wel if you don thave money to buy a new switch you don thav ethe moiney to buy gas either since switches are really cheap and not so hard to replace

kelly_f_1999

Typically in older American cars, you need to locate the Ignition Start wire(possibly red...i think it's White on Chevys, but its ALWAYS different on different cars)
Then locate a Red Power wire(positive) that comes from your car Battery.

Then touch the two wires.

-----

WARNING! This is the BASIC IDEA behind it......likely your ignition wire WONT be red, you'll need a Haynes Manual or CD on your car.
Guessing which wire it is, is a BAAAD idea.
Hotwiring your car without ELECTRICAL PROTECTION is a BAD IDEA TOO!!!!!!

Im NOT familiar with foreign cars electical systems.....but i ONLY decribed the basic idea......you need to apply the rest to your individual scenario....

You CAN BE KILLED by hotwiring!!!!
DONT ATTEMPT IT!!!
(remember the Red Positive wire wire? That's DIRECT current and will fry you in a heartbeat)

You will need to get a ahold of a wiring diagram for your car.
Then look up starter switch(ignition) and look up starter harness.

Theres going to be a million wires under there....if you know what does what, you can easily hotwire it, since i doubt 71 volks have any sort of protection......

Just get your ignition fixed man, its NOT worth dying just to brag that you hotwired your car.

mike i

Kinda weird not to see its not like in the movies, you hotwirer!

If yo need to steal a car, find a van. Those are the most movie-like, i think.

Car thieves stole my car, so fuck you, dude.

J C

Geez, the answers on here are really lame. For normal driving, you need two switches to do the job: one "momentary on" and one "on-off" switch; both are available at a Radio Shack for next to nothing. This is what a standard ignition switch does for you.

Wire them both with hot leads from the positive terminal of the battery using 18 gauge wire. Connect the "on-off" to the ignition coil mounted on the engine. Turn this one on first when you want to start the car, turn it off when you want to shut it down. The "momentary on" switch goes to the hot side of the starter solenoid; you kick it when you want to activate the starter.

TaiwanTeacher

A Basic course on VW wiring.
Solid colors are supply wires
Solid with strip are switch controlled
Solid Red is Battery +, Red with White strip goes to the starter
Solid Black goes to the ignition coil
Brown are ground wires
Yellow and White are Headlights

to hot wire-- connect solid black to Solid Red, touch Red with White strip to Solid Red to crank engine

ruff_gary

what would happen if gearbox oil was to run out vw golf mk4?

would it make a noise or anything if there was hardly any gearbox oil left?

Asked by: biatchlfc @ 2009-03-26 06:24:39

Answers ::
well beside wearing of parts it would just stop working so when was last tiem you had it check or added gear oil to it

kelly_f_1999

you would blow your rear end or your gears

zwalshz75

It would eventualy seize up but it is surprising how long they can run with little oil in them

arlanymor

not as much noise as you would when a garage charges you £1,000 for a reconditioned 2nd hand one

kevin friend

ElRobo0905

T25 aircooled van, how many hours can i drive in 40C heat before my engine gives out?

am planning to drive at night mostly, but with 3000 miles to cover some day time driving is unavoidable, will an hour or two each day be ok?

Asked by: kt_sub2000 @ 2009-03-24 14:09:37

Answers ::
If the van is designed to work in that temperature then time would not matter.
If it is not then you would not want to drive it at all as it would cook the oil in a very short time.
I do not know the van but if it is sold in the part of the world where that temperature occurs it should be fine if maintained properly and the oil recommended for use in those conditions is used.

TSCouriers

I think, that all VW,T25s plus all other models are fitted with some kind of heat converter, therefor, if the oil is at the right level and viscosity, you should be able to drive until "you" run out of fuel, or your van does.

blundetr

this is a good good question with an easy answer. as long as you treat your air-cooled motor properly i.e. regular oil changes (every 3000 miles), don't run the motor cold (give it time to warm up every time you drive it), it will run around at 60mph all day in any temperature. these engines are designed to run rather hot. hotter than water cooled engines.

so treat the engine properly and you can make it there in one straight with no stopping, hypothetically of course!

Air-Cooled

Couple of things to point out here. Firstly, the VW air-cooled engines are pretty much indestructible if they're looked after, so before you go give it a full service and pay particular attention to the cooling fins on the cylinders, making sure they're clear of any cr@p or rust.
Secondly, while 40°C is hot for for you or I, to an engine it's stone cold. A typical water colled engine will operate normally at about 70-90°C, and won't get stressed until it's beyond 130°C, and air cooled units will take even higher temperatures briefly without harm.
Remember there are plenty of air cooled VWs in use in places like Mexico, Brazil, Australia & Africa, so they'll take it no probs.

EvelynThe ModifiedDog.

Considering that the engine in a water cooled car(by the thermostat you get for heating) are 160F degree units) what is 40 degrees? I am figuring the thermostat in an air cooled VW to be about the same for optimal performance.
So how long can you drive in 40C which is 110F or so? I did all day for a week, no problemo. 45-50C
If you are pulling a trailer gear it down occasionally so that the engine runs faster(and fans the engine harder) rather than lugging the engine up the hills pulling the trailer. It likes to "make noise" rather than run quietly. Better for the engine too.
Heat kills it. Stop and go traffic kills it rather than highway driving. Because there is no cooling breeze blowing over the motor.
Engine will never give out. just make sure there is adequate oil in it and that the cooling shrouds are all in place as they should be in the engine compartment.
And you can make a dozen trips.

The best answer is

volkswagen Chat - Mods and Repairs

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Classic VW Beetle Performance?

Monday, March 30, 2009

Is a VW Cabrio a girly car?

Sunday, March 29, 2009

VW Beetle brake light flashing?

Saturday, March 28, 2009

How many miles per gallon does a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle get?

Friday, March 27, 2009

what would happen if gearbox oil was to run out vw golf mk4?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

VW Beetle - is it a suitable car if you have a 2 1/2 year old child?

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volkswagen Chat - Mods and Repairs

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Classic VW Beetle Performance?

Monday, March 30, 2009

Is a VW Cabrio a girly car?

Sunday, March 29, 2009

VW Beetle brake light flashing?

Saturday, March 28, 2009

How many miles per gallon does a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle get?

Friday, March 27, 2009

what would happen if gearbox oil was to run out vw golf mk4?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

VW Beetle - is it a suitable car if you have a 2 1/2 year old child?

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