Bringing Bug back to life

I just bought a 70 Baja bug that has been sitting in the previous owners garage for about 2 years. He said it ran great when he stopped driving it. I put in a new battery, changed the oil and put two gallons of fresh gas in the tank since he didn't know how much it had in it. (Gas gauge is supposedly inaccurate under 1/4 tank) I also added some gas line dryer (Heet) in case there is any water in the gas. It fired up after priming the carb and after a few restarts to fill the gas line it idles OK. The oil light went out and stays out while it is running. (Don't have the tools to check oil pressure) The problem comes when I try to give it any gas. It just dies unless I pump the pedal and it wont stay running if I stop. I am thinking the carb may be clogged up and need a rebuild. The carb is a Weber progressive.Am I on the right track here? Is there anything else I should be checking? The car is still in the previous owners garage and he says I can keep it there a few days to get it running but it sure would be nice to get it running well enough to get it home. (About 5 blocks) I may have to break down and have it towed but I would still have the problem.

Reply to
Gordon Parks
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Since it's been sitting, be sure to check the brake lines. Also, if the fuel lines are rubber, I would replace all of them.

-- Christian '71 Bus -- Turtle

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Reply to
Christian M. Mericle

I saw this also when reviving a dormant bug.

I blamed it on old gas, after draining the bowl in the carb and the tank and putting in fresh fuel it ran fine. You may want to rebuild the caburetor anyways because sitting gas can gunk up the works, but I would guess a complete purge of old fuel would be able to get you home.

Reply to
Seth Graham

Good advice.

There are 2 kinds of VWs. Those that have caught fire, and those that will catch fire.

Watch the fuel lines and fuel pump.

Bryan

Reply to
Bryan

I drained some of the gas into a glass jar and let it sit for about 30 min. There was the culprit! Not a lot of water but it was there. I drained the tank and carb bowl as you suggested and refilled with fresh gas and another bottle of Heet just to make sure. It started right up and runs a lot better. I was able to drive it home, but there is still a serious lack of power there. Time for a real tune up and possibly fresh plug wires.

Thanks for the help!

Reply to
Gordon Parks

Most of the power issue can likely be cured by adjusting points if it has points.

Remove "YOURPANTIES" to reply

MUADIB®

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The Peacemaking Meeting scheduled for today has been cancelled due to a conflict.

Reply to
MUADIB®

LOL!! that's funny - thanks!

Reply to
remco

Ya know, I wish it were funny. But both my VWs suffered fires before I purchased them.

Last year, I started the Bus and opened the lid, frickin' fuel lines dumping gas everywhere....

This spring I started the bug after a winter in the garage, fuel pouring out of the fuel pump...

And then I saw the episode on Cops, a house burning down, fire started by dude working on VW Bus.

Safety first. Know your VW.

Bryan

Reply to
Bryan

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