Holy sh*t, I've replaced so many parts trying to figure that out. I've got the same pertronix flamethrower with the exact same issue. Thanks for posting!
This was so helpful! I just tested mine and it pulls back when you apply vacuum but it will not hold the vacuum so I think it starts to advance but slips back. I would have never thought about this but for your video. Thank you!!!
Great Struggling with hesitation and idle. Bad has gotten worse. Went through a lot of trouble shooting. I have changed fuel pump (seems for no reason). Changed my carburetor (my stock one was constantly leaking - but may have been fine). Checked plugs - seem ok. Changed wires. Learned a lot so far. Checking fuel pressure next (rumors of over producing?). Just about to attempt timing adjustment. Gonna check for vacuum next. 1974 Beetle - Thanks again, Tom G
This is all just my opinion, but i have owned a 59 impala, 57 chevy truck, 73 super beetle, 53 buick and have worked on alot more. If it were mine, i would forget fuel pressure, these fuel pumps are simple as dirt and they either work or dont. The carburetors can cause alot of problems even when you think they are rebuilt and work perfect. If it is a constant problem it is probably not electrical. The timing could be a problem but if you cant seem to get the timing set correctly (like it keeps moving) your problem is electrical. Coils are also very seldom the problem, but they are cheap and I usually replace when i get a vehicle. I have found that switching to pertronix electronic ignition helps to bypass alot of problems that may exist. Also, an exhaust leak can cause running rich, so if you keep fouling plugs after replacing, look at the exhaust gasket. And one last thing, these beetles do not run the same when warm as when cold. My beetle carb is setup to run smooth once it is fully warmed up, but it will hesitate when cold until warm. I hope this helps at least a little.
I’ve been chasing this issue for a month and just came across this video. Issue started around the time I installed a flamethrower distributor as well. I don’t know how many times I’ve tried setting timing and idle.
Ulimately after a very very frustrating 6-8 months of repeatedly chasing the problem, i decided that i was going to trace every wire in the car. It took me about an hour to discover that my ground wire was not tight in the battery terminal and was intermittently losing good ground. I could replicate the good and bad idle bad moving the ground wire at the battery terminal. It would be nice if this was your problem, but i doubt it will be that easy. Let me know what the problem is when you find it, i am very interested.
Wondering - I have a tube that comes out of the left side of the deck plate and goes to a small pot mounted to manifold with a lil nipple on it - What is it???? oil breather / cooler? Cant seem to attach photo?
First, is it an autostick? If it is on the driver side of the engine, and it is an autostick then the pot is probably the vacuum chamber. Their is no real oil breather on these from the factory.
Raymond Scott, no i never added that. I did finally break down and buy a Chinese carb because i couldn’t stop all of the vacuum leaks in the original carbs that i rebuilt. The Chinese carb actually runs very well once you get it tuned.
@@friedgizzard Vacuum leaks are a real pain. Mine was at the head /intake manifold (single port). After trying and failing to sort out the carbon blockage on the heat riser, I settled for a different manifold. Didn't quite fit as well as the original. Glad you got yours sorted.
@@friedgizzardThats the reason your vacuum cannister failed. You need to get the upside down J shaped "metal" pipe that goes from carb to vacuum canister. Otherwise fuel will flow down and eat the canister diaphragm = vacuum leak. The flexible hosing is no good.
I dont know if you watched all of the videos, but my biggest problem ended up being my ground cable. After everything that I repaired the ground cable was loose and causing most of the erratic stumbling and idling.
@@friedgizzardI'll have to take a look at your other content. I have no issues until the car warms up. Then it won't idle. It just dies. My adjustment screws for idle and fuel/air mix don't seem to do much so I'm hunting for all the possible places I could have a leak. I've tried spraying starter fluid around to find the leak without much success
I kept digging around on vw forums until i found the wiring diagram that i needed, but none of them made enough since to me to get a complete picture of what i needed. Then i ordered a vw mechanics manual and that diagram made even less since. So then i started getting every picture i could find of an autostick on the web and zooming in on all of the wiring. I was lucky that my wiring was in place when i bought my bug. I am stationed away from home right now or i would be willing to send you all the pics you need. The biggest point is that if yours has the test terminal on the firewall, all of that wiring can get cut out.
Holy sh*t, I've replaced so many parts trying to figure that out. I've got the same pertronix flamethrower with the exact same issue. Thanks for posting!
This was so helpful! I just tested mine and it pulls back when you apply vacuum but it will not hold the vacuum so I think it starts to advance but slips back. I would have never thought about this but for your video. Thank you!!!
Great
Struggling with hesitation and idle.
Bad has gotten worse.
Went through a lot of trouble shooting.
I have changed fuel pump (seems for no reason).
Changed my carburetor (my stock one was constantly leaking - but may have been fine).
Checked plugs - seem ok.
Changed wires.
Learned a lot so far.
Checking fuel pressure next (rumors of over producing?).
Just about to attempt timing adjustment.
Gonna check for vacuum next.
1974 Beetle - Thanks again, Tom G
This is all just my opinion, but i have owned a 59 impala, 57 chevy truck, 73 super beetle, 53 buick and have worked on alot more. If it were mine, i would forget fuel pressure, these fuel pumps are simple as dirt and they either work or dont. The carburetors can cause alot of problems even when you think they are rebuilt and work perfect. If it is a constant problem it is probably not electrical. The timing could be a problem but if you cant seem to get the timing set correctly (like it keeps moving) your problem is electrical. Coils are also very seldom the problem, but they are cheap and I usually replace when i get a vehicle. I have found that switching to pertronix electronic ignition helps to bypass alot of problems that may exist. Also, an exhaust leak can cause running rich, so if you keep fouling plugs after replacing, look at the exhaust gasket. And one last thing, these beetles do not run the same when warm as when cold. My beetle carb is setup to run smooth once it is fully warmed up, but it will hesitate when cold until warm. I hope this helps at least a little.
Having the same problem, thanks for the heads up. I'll check that out.
My exact issue. I took the canister apart and found the rubber diaphragm crimped at the factory!
I’ve been chasing this issue for a month and just came across this video. Issue started around the time I installed a flamethrower distributor as well. I don’t know how many times I’ve tried setting timing and idle.
Ulimately after a very very frustrating 6-8 months of repeatedly chasing the problem, i decided that i was going to trace every wire in the car. It took me about an hour to discover that my ground wire was not tight in the battery terminal and was intermittently losing good ground. I could replicate the good and bad idle bad moving the ground wire at the battery terminal. It would be nice if this was your problem, but i doubt it will be that easy. Let me know what the problem is when you find it, i am very interested.
I also have this problem! Hopefully i can find a good vacuum canister here at home on one of my other distributors....
Wondering - I have a tube that comes out of the left side of the deck plate and goes to a small pot mounted to manifold with a lil nipple on it - What is it???? oil breather / cooler? Cant seem to attach photo?
First, is it an autostick? If it is on the driver side of the engine, and it is an autostick then the pot is probably the vacuum chamber. Their is no real oil breather on these from the factory.
Did you ever get around to adding a loop or one of those "shepherd hook" metal lines to limit fuel being sucked into the vacuum canister?
Raymond Scott, no i never added that. I did finally break down and buy a Chinese carb because i couldn’t stop all of the vacuum leaks in the original carbs that i rebuilt. The Chinese carb actually runs very well once you get it tuned.
@@friedgizzard Vacuum leaks are a real pain. Mine was at the head /intake manifold (single port). After trying and failing to sort out the carbon blockage on the heat riser, I settled for a different manifold. Didn't quite fit as well as the original. Glad you got yours sorted.
@@friedgizzardThats the reason your vacuum cannister failed. You need to get the upside down J shaped "metal" pipe that goes from carb to vacuum canister. Otherwise fuel will flow down and eat the canister diaphragm = vacuum leak. The flexible hosing is no good.
Mine won't idle when warm. I'll have to check this
I dont know if you watched all of the videos, but my biggest problem ended up being my ground cable. After everything that I repaired the ground cable was loose and causing most of the erratic stumbling and idling.
@@friedgizzardI'll have to take a look at your other content. I have no issues until the car warms up. Then it won't idle. It just dies. My adjustment screws for idle and fuel/air mix don't seem to do much so I'm hunting for all the possible places I could have a leak. I've tried spraying starter fluid around to find the leak without much success
I have a 71 with an autostick and the motor wiring was all taken apart and I cannot find any diagram that works what did u use ?
I kept digging around on vw forums until i found the wiring diagram that i needed, but none of them made enough since to me to get a complete picture of what i needed. Then i ordered a vw mechanics manual and that diagram made even less since. So then i started getting every picture i could find of an autostick on the web and zooming in on all of the wiring. I was lucky that my wiring was in place when i bought my bug. I am stationed away from home right now or i would be willing to send you all the pics you need. The biggest point is that if yours has the test terminal on the firewall, all of that wiring can get cut out.
Good Advise!! Thanks!
advice
@@boblemay6539 Thanks!!
Get to the point!