I just recently purchased a 1973 super beetle convertible. The days following my purchase, I had no problems starting her up, whether it had been sitting for 10 minutes or 10 hours. That same week, I filled her up and since then I've had issues getting her started. In the morning when she's cold, it takes almost half a dozen tries to get the engine to run for longer than 15 seconds... once that happens, I wait about 5 minutes and she's good to go. In the afternoon after she's been sitting for maybe 4-5 hours, it takes no more than two or three attempts before she stays idling. ...I'm wondering if it has to do with the gas I used..? It was premium, but not the most expensive of brands - is there one you recommend... or maybe something with the gas tank/fuel line I could check?
Now for the smoking issue... for the past day or two the car has begun to smoke, almost steam - not profusely and of no color that I can tell. I've changed the oil, and plan on replacing the distributor, rotor, spark plugs/wires, fuel filter, etc. this or the next weekend... is there something else I should attempt?
I'm a novice mechanic, but I'm handy, I learn fast, and I have a few books to refer to... any insight would be very helpful.
Thanks ahead of time...
Jen in Tucson, AZ