Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Beetle Solex Carburetor Q. I purchased a 1979 Volkswagen Beetle from someone who had it laid up for at least 10 years. After going through changing all fluids including the gas twice, new distributor, coil, plugs, plug wires, had a mechanic set timing and check the fuel pump, was operating properly, and had the carburetor rebuilt and set.

Having said all that the problem I am having and have always had since I bought the car is that it has a stumble problem, this car was originally fuel injected and has been converted to carburetor, a Solex 34-pict-3. Will I ever get rid of this problem and if so how?

I've been told to solve it would mean having the engine replaced with a 1974 model engine which was designed for the carburetor. Would a new carburetor solve it? Any insight would be greatly appreciated, the car is a beautiful convertible in really great shape I would hate to give up on it.

Thanks,
Louie

A. That Solex carburetor is probably the hardest carburetor in the world to adjust. It has two kinds of adjustments, a fuel adjustment and air adjustment. Assuming the carburetor is good, it takes a certain amount of skill to properly adjust them.

If you want a detailed description of how to adjust that carburetor, and the whole car in general, you should get the book "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive". It is one of the best books I have seen on the old Volkswagen Beetles, written in plain language.

A new engine will not fix the problem and after you try to adjust it you will know if it needs a new carburetor.