Author Topic: Cry for help! Motor not starting  (Read 1290 times)

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Offline vridaw

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Cry for help! Motor not starting
« on: June 28, 2017, 06:19:06 PM »
Hello Everyone!

Well I haven't had a good start to the beetle season this year, I tinkered with my motor thinking I was doing good and everything went downhill. Fast. You know that saying "If it ain't broken don't fix it" well I am sure we've all said that to ourselves at one point or another.

It started with doing carb adjustments, for god knows what. I think I was bored. Then the car was running extremely rich, then I messed with the timing. And well now...the motor won't even turn over.

Before I burn the thing to the ground by accident, I am pleading for help on here to see if there's any mechanics that are mobile and would be able to come to the Burnaby area to help? I would pay for your time of course and would have beers on hand.

Thanks for reading! And happy driving out there folks.

« Last Edit: August 25, 2017, 04:35:53 PM by vridaw »

Offline Herrlowlight

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2017, 08:06:41 AM »
If you messed with the timing it is a pretty easy fix if you have a lead with a lightbulb.

Check these videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulQmKU2weyI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chtk3JwZPNw

Once you get the car running again... you can find similar videos on line to adjust the carb so it is running correctly.

You can do this.. its very straightforward

Trevor
1968 912
1958 Kombi

Offline vridaw

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2017, 10:03:44 AM »
Thanks for your reply and video links Trevor!

Those videos are exactly what got me to this point.. I've been tinkering with my test light for three days and now the engine sounds worse than ever when I crank it. Something is seriously wrong and I can't see it. Hence my plea for professional help, I'm not a mechanic by any means. I've watched and read about every link I could find, and haven't had any luck so far.

Offline Herrlowlight

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2017, 08:22:41 PM »
When you attempt to start the motor, turn the key what happens? Any noise? Does it turn over and not fire or is it dead?

Are all the wires on the coil connected?

Trevor
1968 912
1958 Kombi

Offline vridaw

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2017, 09:08:40 PM »
When you attempt to start the motor, turn the key what happens? Any noise? Does it turn over and not fire or is it dead?

Are all the wires on the coil connected?

Trevor


I actually found out it was just a weak battery. Stupid.

But because I tinkered with the carb/points and just about everything I can adjust... now I am dealing with a whole other problem.

The car is running rich, and when it gets hot after say driving around for 15 minutes. As soon I come to a slow or a dead stop, the motor dies, and is very hard to get going again. Just keeps cranking over and over until eventually it starts. (Around 8-10mins after stalling) But again will immediately die if I don't constantly keep the revs up.

Any ideas? I am so close to just taking the insurance off..my local mechanic is a flake and won't make time.

Offline Herrlowlight

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2017, 09:32:05 PM »
Yeah, that sounds like timing and carb adjustments would fix that.

Did you say it is a 1200cc?

Trevor

1968 912
1958 Kombi

Offline Herrlowlight

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2017, 09:40:51 PM »
I'd really follow this video.. there should be only 1 adjustment on your carb if it is a 36hp.. 2 if it is bigger. This video is very straightforward.

Trevor
1968 912
1958 Kombi

Offline vridaw

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2017, 09:44:54 PM »
Hey Trevor I don't see a video? Or is it one of the ones you posted earlier ?

Thanks for your replies.

Offline Herrlowlight

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Re: Cry for help! Motor not starting
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2017, 09:53:58 PM »
1968 912
1958 Kombi