Tuneup OverviewTuneup Overview
CJ from Ventura writes:
Just bought a 63 beetle. Do you have any recommendations on who could tune up the carb? It's running rich, idles ok, but bogs down and sputters under load. It's been sitting a while so I'm sure the gas is crappy too. Is this an easy adjustment? It's only a single carb.
CJ,
The order that you do things is important. Some of the more simple tasks will solve a seemingly larger problem, Carb is down the list.
First, do the easy and/or required stuff. Drain out the old fuel (if it is bad it smells a little like varnish). Then, adjust the valves (see out video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozht-_iu3Ew), replace points, plugs, condenser and (if they don't look new) plug wires . Change the oil, (also another video available here on the Tech page or on our YouTube Airhead Channel ) and check the level in the transmission before you take any multi mile trips. Now you are ready to diagnose it. If there is still a problem, I have had good luck with filing the carburetor through the vent tube with Gum-out, then rev the engine up like your going to redline it and then slap you hand over the carb throat (this is at max vacuum). Before the engine dies, take off your hand and keep it running until you hear the engine stables out, then do it two to three more times. This is a Quick Fix only that sometimes removes a bit of goo or grain of sand out of the carb. Good time to check for vacuum leaks by spraying a little WD-40 around all manifold (carb to engine) connections and listen for an increase in RPMs. If you find one, replace all the carburetor manifold seals.
Check the distributor next to see if the dwell is stable through the RPM range. If it is and there is still a problem, rebuild the carb.
Good Luck,
Scott
"The Ghia Guy" | 
