Thinking about getting a beetle.

The stock engine has a strainer, but not a filter. You can extend your
engine's oil change intervals from the original 1000 miles, to 3000
miles by adding a real oil filter

http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/re...icles/mods.htm

> How come so soon on oil changs. * They wont get 3000 miles ?

Beetle maintenance and repair can interfere with your spare time.

They are easy to work on and there are plenty of parts available.

You probably won't get your money back if you decide to sell it.

The heater usually does not work too well or takes 20 minutes or so
to start working.

It makes for a great hobby. It gives a sense of accomplishment.

They are easy to work on and there are plenty of parts available.

Instead of J.C. Whipme you might want to try:

http://www.aircooled.net/

http://www.cbperformance.com/

http://www.cip1.com/

http://www.mamotorworks.com/

http://www.oeveedub.com/


for tech help:

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

http://shoptalkforums.com/

"Jim Ed" > wrote in message
...
>
> Beetle maintenance and repair can interfere with your spare time.
>
> They are easy to work on and there are plenty of parts available.
>
> You probably won't get your money back if you decide to sell it.
>
> The heater usually does not work too well or takes 20 minutes or so
> to start working.

I drove in a rare one that had heat, A 66 . It was aout 50 out and I
remember actually turning the heat down after a bit.
>
> It makes for a great hobby. It gives a sense of accomplishment.

I know what that means. Its gonna make me pull my hair out. A love hate
type of thing. Like my watercooled diesel VWs.
>
> They are easy to work on and there are plenty of parts available.
>
> Instead of J.C. Whipme you might want to try:
>
> http://www.aircooled.net/
>
> http://www.cbperformance.com/
>
> http://www.cip1.com/
>
> http://www.mamotorworks.com/
>
> http://www.oeveedub.com/
>
>
> for tech help:
>
> http://www.vw-resource.com/
>
> http://shoptalkforums.com/
>
>
>

On 23/09/10 17:15, DogDiesel wrote:
> "Jim > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> Beetle maintenance and repair can interfere with your spare time.
>>

Yes, but I'd say it's relative. I just used several weeks to repair an old
BMW and I could have done a full engine restore to Beetle with that amount
of work.

>> You probably won't get your money back if you decide to sell it.
>>

Here (in Finland) a Beetle is an worthy investment, not only you get your
money back, it's also inflation adjusted, if the car is at least in same
condition you bought it or better.


>> The heater usually does not work too well or takes 20 minutes or so
>> to start working.

More often than not the heater channels have rusted away and flaps/wires are
stuck.

Very fast it isn't, but 20 minutes seems a bit excessive, my van is pushing
heat into cabin at end of my daily trip to work, about 10 minutes in city
traffic.
Not much, of course as the air flow isn't high at those speeds.

>> It makes for a great hobby. It gives a sense of accomplishment.
>
> I know what that means. Its gonna make me pull my hair out. A love hate
> type of thing. Like my watercooled diesel VWs.


Once you got all the maintenance that previous owner hasn't done, done, it's
working like a charm for a long time. Old age of the car shows best in there
that you can't skip maintenance, these are designed for regular maintenance.
On the other hand, they last almost forever if maintained well. 100k miles
from an engine designed in 1930s is a lot: 30k miles was quite normal engine
replacement interval in European cars at that time.

If you replace some cheap and easy to change parts like spark plugs,
distributor rotor, condensator, breaker and check/install fuel filter right
after buying, you'll save much hair pulling later.

(Keep the old ones as spare parts in car, just in case something breaks on
the road. A kind of insurance. Or buy two each.)

I had misfiring problems in van all summer and what was the guilty part?
The distributor rotor, $3. Argh!

I'm still kicking myself because I didn't change that first. On the other
hand, almost 3500 miles this summer.

I'm very pleased with that. Maintenance done: Oil changes (2), valve
adjustments(2), brake adjustments(2), front axle greasing, gearbox oil
addition. Nothing too time-consuming, less than an hour each, not bad for an
50-year-old van.

Dark sides: Gearbox is howling >40mph, front brakes are quite random as I
didn't find new brake shoes for those (current ones are real vintage, from
70s ) and lights are a joke. I saw some 6V HID kits available in China
but those might glare way too much to be used on the road. Might work as
driving lights, though.

--
Tuomas - VWs:'63 typ14, '65 typ34 & '61 typ2

"Tuomas" > wrote in message
...
> On 23/09/10 17:15, DogDiesel wrote:
>> "Jim > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> Beetle maintenance and repair can interfere with your spare time.
>>>
>
> Yes, but I'd say it's relative. I just used several weeks to repair an old
> BMW and I could have done a full engine restore to Beetle with that amount
> of work.
>
>>> You probably won't get your money back if you decide to sell it.
>>>
>
> Here (in Finland) a Beetle is an worthy investment, not only you get your
> money back, it's also inflation adjusted, if the car is at least in same
> condition you bought it or better.
>
Socialism at its best perhaps. Supply and demand.

>
>>> The heater usually does not work too well or takes 20 minutes or so
>>> to start working.
>
> More often than not the heater channels have rusted away and flaps/wires
> are stuck.
>
> Very fast it isn't, but 20 minutes seems a bit excessive, my van is
> pushing heat into cabin at end of my daily trip to work, about 10 minutes
> in city traffic.
> Not much, of course as the air flow isn't high at those speeds.
>
>>> It makes for a great hobby. It gives a sense of accomplishment.
>>
>> I know what that means. Its gonna make me pull my hair out. A love
>> hate
>> type of thing. Like my watercooled diesel VWs.
>
>
> Once you got all the maintenance that previous owner hasn't done, done,
> it's working like a charm for a long time.

Yes, I agree.


Old age of the car shows best in there
> that you can't skip maintenance, these are designed for regular
> maintenance. On the other hand, they last almost forever if maintained
> well. 100k miles from an engine designed in 1930s is a lot: 30k miles was
> quite normal engine replacement interval in European cars at that time.

Yea its better then I thought. However, I ve seen quite a few horror
stories where people rebuilt them and they locked up . Im thinking they are
intolerant of the lack of basic maintenance. I also fing it hard to believe
that theres not a lot of people who drive them and never adjust the valves
until they wont run right.
>
> If you replace some cheap and easy to change parts like spark plugs,
> distributor rotor, condensator, breaker and check/install fuel filter
> right after buying, you'll save much hair pulling later.
>
> (Keep the old ones as spare parts in car, just in case something breaks on
> the road. A kind of insurance. Or buy two each.)
>
> I had misfiring problems in van all summer and what was the guilty part?
> The distributor rotor, $3. Argh!
>
> I'm still kicking myself because I didn't change that first. On the other
> hand, almost 3500 miles this summer.
>
> I'm very pleased with that. Maintenance done: Oil changes (2), valve
> adjustments(2), brake adjustments(2), front axle greasing, gearbox oil
> addition. Nothing too time-consuming, less than an hour each, not bad for
> an 50-year-old van.

I guess the thing is. You cant sell the car now due to the EPA. They
dont want you to have cars like VWs now. Cars now are $2-300 on those EPA
engine sensors now. And they got the cars rigged to limp home and die. Its
not like the 80s or 90s escorts where you get a $24 ignition module changed
and run it for 5 or 10 years. And you get 35 mpg all day and carry more and
have heat. Your not getting a $5 set of points on anything. Ive been doing
the diesel VW s for decades because they are emission exempt, Have no
sensors or ignition systems to screw up. So a little more maintenance is ok.
Unfortunately they are all rotted now. And hard to find that arent junk.

>
> Dark sides: Gearbox is howling >40mph, front brakes are quite random as I
> didn't find new brake shoes for those (current ones are real vintage, from
> 70s ) and lights are a joke. I saw some 6V HID kits available in China
> but those might glare way too much to be used on the road. Might work as
> driving lights, though.
>
> --
> Tuomas - VWs:'63 typ14, '65 typ34 & '61 typ2

On Sep 21, 7:34*pm, "DogDiesel" > wrote:
> Hello, I've been a water-cooled VW person for many years. Saying that I'm
> well aware that VWs are maintenance heavy. And excluding air-cooled VWs. *I
> think all VWs suck that aren't diesels. VW dropped the ball after 92. * *But
> . I've got two decent vehicles now and my last VW Golf diesel is getting
> real ratty. and not being used. I'm getting rid of it and my old Suburban
> soon.
>
> I have a friend who has had 6 VW air cooled *beetles. His current is a 72
> beetle he drove back from Vegas to Ohio. After changing the oil, points and
> alternator belt. *I drove in his 6 volt 66 . *that had decent heat.
> Generally he gets clean bodies that need paint, For less then 2 Gs. *He said
> he got this one on Samba for $1300. *Then paints them and sits on it until
> he decides to sell it later. And get another. *He like to paint cars. *He's
> done a hot rod and a model A. And he makes some money on everything too. He
> said he got ****ed on his first VW . Rusty, broken, *and engine he rebuilt
> using JC Whitney.
>
> I guess I'm thinking of getting one. As a recreation vehicle. And I really
> don't want to work on it much. I can see the benefits of the lack of
> emissions and electrical crap to go wrong. *Like my diesels. *But
> water-cooled VWs are basically Rolling junk that wont stop running.
> Excellent drivetrains but every other damn thing breaks. I feel like I've
> replaced everything in the 85 diesel, 3 times in 15 years. * *So I'm hoping
> you guys can give me a clue as to what maintenance I will have to look
> forward too.
>
> Not the adjust valves / oil change stuff. Or the god awful rusted brake
> lines/ brake cylinder. *I'm trying to figure how many miles type of things.
>
> How many miles will an engine run.
> How many miles until driveshafts need changed. *I'm saying 30,000 miles..
> How long will a clutch last.
> How long will brakes last.
> And how long will the bottom take to rot in the moist salted winters of Ohio
> sitting in an unheated garage every winter.
>
> I'm hoping to get one for less then 3 grand max. That I wont have to do much
> too except brakes , oil changes and adjust valves. *I expect to drive it
> less then *2000 miles a year. *And its going to sit for 6 months through
> winter. in an unheated garage.
>
> Thanks. Diesel.

If you get one, used a tranny gear oil that has the GL-4
classification.
I get mine from amsoil.com. I think aircooled.net sells it too.

"Jim Ed" > wrote in message
...
On Sep 21, 7:34 pm, "DogDiesel" > wrote:
> Hello, I've been a water-cooled VW person for many years. Saying that I'm
> well aware that VWs are maintenance heavy. And excluding air-cooled VWs. I
> think all VWs suck that aren't diesels. VW dropped the ball after 92. But
> . I've got two decent vehicles now and my last VW Golf diesel is getting
> real ratty. and not being used. I'm getting rid of it and my old Suburban
> soon.
>
> I have a friend who has had 6 VW air cooled beetles. His current is a 72
> beetle he drove back from Vegas to Ohio. After changing the oil, points
> and
> alternator belt. I drove in his 6 volt 66 . that had decent heat.
> Generally he gets clean bodies that need paint, For less then 2 Gs. He
> said
> he got this one on Samba for $1300. Then paints them and sits on it until
> he decides to sell it later. And get another. He like to paint cars. He's
> done a hot rod and a model A. And he makes some money on everything too.
> He
> said he got ****ed on his first VW . Rusty, broken, and engine he rebuilt
> using JC Whitney.
>
> I guess I'm thinking of getting one. As a recreation vehicle. And I really
> don't want to work on it much. I can see the benefits of the lack of
> emissions and electrical crap to go wrong. Like my diesels. But
> water-cooled VWs are basically Rolling junk that wont stop running.
> Excellent drivetrains but every other damn thing breaks. I feel like I've
> replaced everything in the 85 diesel, 3 times in 15 years. So I'm hoping
> you guys can give me a clue as to what maintenance I will have to look
> forward too.
>
> Not the adjust valves / oil change stuff. Or the god awful rusted brake
> lines/ brake cylinder. I'm trying to figure how many miles type of things.
>
> How many miles will an engine run.
> How many miles until driveshafts need changed. I'm saying 30,000 miles.
> How long will a clutch last.
> How long will brakes last.
> And how long will the bottom take to rot in the moist salted winters of
> Ohio
> sitting in an unheated garage every winter.
>
> I'm hoping to get one for less then 3 grand max. That I wont have to do
> much
> too except brakes , oil changes and adjust valves. I expect to drive it
> less then 2000 miles a year. And its going to sit for 6 months through
> winter. in an unheated garage.
>
> Thanks. Diesel.

If you get one, used a tranny gear oil that has the GL-4
classification.
I get mine from amsoil.com. I think aircooled.net sells it too.

Hello,
I've been looking pretty hard. I've come to the Conclusion that I can
find an awesome need nothing standard bug for $2500 to $4500 . Around
here. And find a money pit bunch of trouble for less then that. So I'm
gonna keep my eyes open for deal and put some more cash in the VW fund . I
think I can get $3500 by spring. Which stands at $1277 right now. I just
sold my truck. for $ 900 . And I expect my Golf to sell. That way I wont
be sitting on it all winter staring at it. Wishing I could drive it. Because
this state salts the roads.

I found a cool book at the Library. About repairing VW beetles.

Here's a few local craigslist awesome bugs for sale . That made me decide
and wait. Bugs seem weird. You only pay a bit less for bugs that need
thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of labor to fix them to the level
you can buy an awesome one for.


Awesome
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/1972188160.html

And this awesome gem.
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/1895969871.html

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/1902811546.html

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/1900194220.html

"Jim Ed" > wrote in message
...

> The heater usually does not work too well or takes 20 minutes or so
> to start working.


my heat works wonderfully... much warmer, in less time, than my watercooled
cars... But mine is setup the way VW intended it....<wink>

Short answer DD? Presuming your feedback wasnt rhetorical.. At work I manage
the technology in a major hospital. When interviewing new applicants, after
the electronics questions I always ask 1/ what car do you drive? and 2/ do
you service it yourself?. I,ve always found people who answer 2/ by saying
they do it ( particularly with older cars) are more able to deal with
challenges, more resourceful amd mor reliable. Its because they are more
interested in ALL facets of engineering, not just focusing on one area ( or
brand).
Get angry DD, get angry at why Mary Travers died young, why good Australian
and American blokes are dying in Afghanistan., get angry at the dying of the
light, not why 800 bits of binary data are stored in some obtuse corner of a
PC.

..