Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Beetle Engine Problems Q. Hi Vincent, I'm the owner of a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle 1500cc. I've recently fitted a 1600cc motor and soon afterwards seized the motor. Cause: incorrect fitted main bearing, bearings and rings. That's what happens when you buy cheap second hand motors.

I had the motor overhauled and it went well till it pulled some studs on the cylinder heads. Repaired it by fitting new inserts. Now I have the problem that the motor overheats when traveling in excess of a 20 km distance. When I stop I just smell hot oil. It also looses power rapidly when this happens.

I've checked the ignition timing and it is spot on. Traveling in town it becomes hot and then I experience difficulty starting it. I suspect carburetion in this case, since I smell fuel.

I've taken the motor out and would now like to do a thorough inspection of the motor. What can I look for. I've taken out the plugs and they are pitch black, not sure if it is burnt oil or carbon deposit. It does look weird and not normal.

I'm desperate to solve this problem rather than to replace the motor with a factory reconditioned motor.

Thanks,
Anton
Newcastle, South Africa

A. WOW!! A 1969 Volkswagen Beetle! Boy, I used to have fun with them. I used to turn them into dune buggys and sell them. Man, those were a good car and you could use them for everything. They even float.

Anyway, with the engine out there's not much you can look for in the way of possible problems. All you can do is double check your work and make sure everything is within specification. If you put in new rings, check that they are oriented properly and that the gaps are staggered. Make sure you have the right head gaskets. A good idea would be to send the heads to a machine shop for a valve job and resurfacing.

I would especially check the valve adjustment and adjust them exactly as the book says. If you have the long stud engine, set them to 0.008" cold. If it is the shot stud engine, set them to 0.006" cold.

There is a book called "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive" by John Muir that is a great source of information on the Type I, II, III, and IV Volkswagens. I think it is a must have for anyone who has one.