Finally got my '64 all original, 6V, mostly stock beetle to the point where I was going to risk taking it to work. (I say "it" because I never name my cars until I get over 1000 miles on them).
Ran totally perfect for the first 12 miles. 60-70 mph up hills with a 1600 SP, not too hot, etc.
Miles 13-16, yikes!
Motor decided to dump ALL it's oil on the exhaust. Got hot, cab filled with smoke. limped the poor baby to the offramp, drove for a bit at least until the oil light went on, then shut her down, called the wife, and got the bug towed home.
On the way home, saw a '68 or so stranded on the side of the road, and braked hard, pulled over, this is probably a good time to mention this was
9AM, temp about 32, with freezing rain, standing on the side of the highway, with semis splashing this REALLY cold water on us, and he has no spark.Well, it's pouring this freezing water on us, it looks like we have spark to the good side of the coil, we troublesoot for a bit, and I eventually let him use my cell to call a tow. I probably could have fixed it, but I had lost all feeling in my extremeties.
Today, I see this '72 or so beetle on the corner of a bad intersection here in Tacoma, pass him, turn around, pass him again, turn around, finally park, talk to him. "Well it worked earlier" type of issue. Explained to him that yes, most drums do in fact have splines that mesh with the drum to turn it. He had recently tightened and place the kotter key in to get it to work earlier in the day. I figure he has an axle transplant at a minimum tonight.
Ok, now to the point. How many of us stop for Volkswagen issues? I stop for
100% of aircooled, but almost never for water. I do stop for vanagon/camper people 100%, though, so that probably leaves about 5% of Jetta/Golf/etc. that I don't stop for.