1978 Fuel Injected Super Beetle Tune Up Problem

J&M Easter

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Jun 28, 2003, 8:32:45 PM6/28/03

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Hi,
Just got car. It was running somewhat roughly. Changed points, plugs,
condenser & wires according to instructions in Muir guide and Chiltons.
Checked and rechecked gap settings, etc. Car is now barely starting. If
gas pedal is COMPLETELY depressed, it eventually revs up to ALMOST start,
but, if you take your foot off the pedal, it dies immediately. Will not
idle. When pedal is depressed, it has the sound as if it is "building up"
or "revving up" with fuel. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
much!!

Speedy Jim

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Jun 28, 2003, 8:36:10 PM6/28/03

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1) How did you check the timing after the points replaced?
You must have a strobe light to do it.

2) Inspect every single hose and connector. There is a very
good chance that something became dislodged while working on it.
Go over the engine bay with a fine tooth comb...

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

Busahaulic

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Jun 28, 2003, 11:57:38 PM6/28/03

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I agree with Jim on the hoses - Here's the problem: The
hoses are formed to fit exactly where they need to. Since
1978, they have not been replaced. Not a single one of them.
Ever. They are now very brittle and hard. They don't fit as
snugly as they did originally. Anything can bump them loose
and especially a backfire. They LOOK like they are attached
at both ends, but one end may be loose. There are a couple
big hoses that tend to deteriorate on the bottom side where
you can't see it. They actually decay away so only the top
of the hose is still there! Pull each of your large vacuum
hoses loose carefully, look it over, and if it isn't
cracked, put it back on. You can secure the hard to reach
ones with a nylon tie strap if you wish (no metal clamps!)
BUT - leave one easy to reach one unsecured so that if your
engine ever backfires (usually while starting) it will blow
that hose off instead of one that is secured with tie strap
and hard to reach as well!
The other major problem that we all have done at least a
couple times is crossing two plug wires at the distributor.
Pop the cap off, have someone turn the starter over as you
watch which way the rotor turns. Now check your firing order
one more time!
Good luck and please tell us what you find.
--
Dave "Busahaulic" Pearson
Fall City, Washington
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J&M Easter

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Jun 29, 2003, 5:52:31 PM6/29/03

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Thanks much for the tips. We're trying everything right now. Will keep you
posted. Take care.

"Busahaulic" <pear...@worldnetobvious.att.net> wrote in message
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Mel P.

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Jun 29, 2003, 5:51:04 PM6/29/03

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I totally agree with both guys...
Check the air hoses, they could be cracked and leaking. Put clamps on all
of them so they don't become dislodged while driving.

Check the rubber elbow for cracks, if need be, you may be able to repair it
with rubber cement.

--
Mel
(REMOVE "NOSPAM" to reply)
77 Revived Bug & 70 Ghia (being re-assembled)
www.geocities.com/mpernice
PARTS FOR SALE: http://www.geocities.com/njvwclub/vwparts/index.htm

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Busahaulic

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Jun 29, 2003, 9:11:09 PM6/29/03

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Hey Mel - Leave the clamps off one of them! This is
important as it will become the safety valve for the system
in case of backfire. It usually only happens when you're all
dressed up for some big shindig, so it's a real pain to get
those cufflinks caked with greasey grime when trying to put
the hard-to-reach hoses back on! - Dave

Mel P. <mper...@netzero.com> wrote in message
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D@LBusch

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Jun 29, 2003, 10:03:33 PM6/29/03

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Been there! And it was a loose vacuum hose. Check every wire and hose
connection. Check where the injectors seat into the heads as well. Took a
couple of days for me and now everything is fine. Good Luck! David

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D@LBusch

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Jun 29, 2003, 10:04:57 PM6/29/03

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Also check the hose that goes over the fan housing to the back of it. Its a
push fit and very easy to miss/dislodge.

"Busahaulic" <pear...@worldnetobvious.att.net> wrote in message
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Kris Staller

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Jun 30, 2003, 11:21:33 PM6/30/03

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Are your spark plugs wet or dry after trying to start it?

If you have to keep the pedal down to barely get it running, it sounds like it is getting
flooded. The pedal opens up the throttle butterfly and allows more air to mix into the
cylindars. If your spark plugs are wet after attempting to start, then it is either getting too
much fuel (starter injector stuck on) or there are crossed spark plug wires. Also check
your static timing, on the '78 it is 5 degrees after top dead center. If the spark plugs are
dry, check all of the hose connections and the EGR valve electric solenoid connection.

Kris
'78 Vert

Jim Buys

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Jul 1, 2003, 11:35:44 AM7/1/03

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i agree with all that.
BUT i also would double and triple check the POINTS!!!!!!!!!
the gap dwell etc.....
if im not mistaken they also fire the FI.

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J&M Easter

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Jul 3, 2003, 7:10:08 PM7/3/03

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Got it running yesterday. You were right. The hose to EGR valve looked
like it was on, but wasn't. Changed ALL hoses with new ones. Also, timing
was VERY off. Got strobe light and set it. Running GREAT now. Thanks for
the help. On to the next step.

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