Describe the engline noise please.

AdelaideBug · Post by **AdelaideBug** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:00 pm

What way would you describe the idling and driving noise?
I am not too mech savvy so want to listen out for problems.

Also when driving around town etc. is it normal to spend a lot of time in 3rd gear with 4th only on some parts of the motorway?

volksbugusa · Post by **volksbugusa** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:36 am

AdelaideBug
hello
if you go to "you-tube" and search volkswagen or beetle you will be able to hear a volks motor
http://www.youtube.com

your speedo should have red shift markings,yes it is common to drive
in 3rd and 4th ...lots more fun in 4th
cheers
matt

Post by **jmartini** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:58 am

Hi AdelaideBug:It should sound like a vacuum cleaner!

I would suggest that you get a valve adjustment if you haven't already - since you probably don't know when it was done last - and then I do them at every oil change - a tight valve will spell real trouble for the engine.

I drive in 3rd gear in town but if I get up to about 40 I shift into fourth (I have the original 1300 engine) but am always careful to not Bog the engine down.

scruffy · Post by **scruffy** » Mon May 28, 2007 6:53 am

I've been thinking about the unique voice of a VW engine, and John I think you nailed it, A Vacuum Cleaner waiting for something to fly out of it.

AdelaideBug · Post by **AdelaideBug** » Tue May 29, 2007 9:34 pm

It sounds like a vacuum cleaner so that is good. There is a little chugging as well but that may be my driving.

In third until 40 mph (rare occasions) so that sounds good as well.

It has the original engine so will need to keep an eye on it.

What are the chances of it being able to drive 2 hours a day? 80km to work and back?

Am I going to have to convince the missus to buy yet another car?

Post by **jmartini** » Wed May 30, 2007 4:06 am

As long as you keep an eye on the valves and everything else seems fine it shouldn't be a problem for it. I have driven mine 80 miles round trip to work on many occassions. On my last '66 after I had it rebuilt and broken in, I drove 17 hours non stop from Wisconsin to Albany, New York. Ran like a dream.

AdelaideBug · Post by **AdelaideBug** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:45 pm

So how do I do a valve adjustment? What's a valve?

AND I AM NOT KIDDING!!!

Post by **jmartini** » Thu May 31, 2007 4:46 am

I would recommend buying John Muir's Book (The compleat idiot book) you can get it almost anywhere - Amazon has them. It will give you detailed instructions on where they are located, the tools you will need and how to perform the procedure. He even gives an overview on how the engine works - so you will get an overview of what a valve is and how it operates. There are two valves per cylinder (they allow fuel mixture to enter the cylinder (Intake Valve) and combusted gasses to escape (Exhaust Valve)).

Don't feel bad - when I got my first 66 back in '75 I had no idea these needed valve adjustments which is why I'm sure my engine failed on me. After that experience I ran into a great mechanic who rebuilt the engine and then I picked up Muir's book and began doing my own valve adjustments at every oil change.

In the meantime I would find a shop (or if you have a friend that knows the procedure) to do the valve adjustment just to be safe.

AdelaideBug · Post by **AdelaideBug** » Thu May 31, 2007 9:06 pm

Aye ordered that book a few weeks back. Taking a while to get to Oz from Yankee land.

Post by **jmartini** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:44 am

It will be worth the wait, I think you will love the book.

AdelaideBug · Post by **AdelaideBug** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:50 pm

Go the book yesterday and impressed so far.

Not that I understand it but it's the first step I guess.

Best advice in it was 'How to drive' and giving the speeds for gear changes etc. good to have confirmed what I thought. Also good to find out lugging was bad for the engine. I hav been cruising in neutral (almost) down hill...not a good thing apparently