Long time VW mechanics?

[Dwayne1m]

A question for the long time VW mechanics. I clearly do not qualify as such.

What are the most common reasons for breakdowns on the road in regards to air cooled VW's? (not including flat tires or running out of gas) I'm just curious about this since old VW's have a reputation, real or not, for breaking down. I've broken down twice with 2 different VW's and both times it was a bad condenser, but I doubt that would be near the top of the list for common breakdowns.

[mrmdls]

While I won't qualify myself as a mechanic, I'll venture that the following are some of the most common:

Broken Accelerator cable
Broken clutch cable
Blown brake hose or wheel cylinder
Poorly adjusted carb causing stalling, or no start issue.
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75 model 110 (Basic Bug) - Project Daily Driver

[Volktales]

By far the most common reason that I have seen is ignition failure due to closed up points. Vacuum leaks on fuel injected models is probably the second most common reason. Fuel pump failure is all to common now with the crappy parts available...
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1974 "Restfalia" Camper 2000 cc EFI 2001-
1970 Beetle first car, rotten, yard art 1985-
1966 Sunroof Beetle, restored 1998-
1964 Ghia, ongoing project 2007-
1962 Beetle Beryl,original paint survivor 2012-
1970 Savannah Beige Beetle 2012-
1992 16v GTI, 100% stock 2006-
1991 "Terseo", wife's old daily 1995-
1969 Chevrolet CST/10 (family owned since new)
1965 Gold Corvair Monza 2021-
1966 and 1965 Monza 2022-

[Cusser]

[Glenn]

Lack of maintenance.

Poor quality of replacement parts.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

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[TheAmazingDave]

[Dwayne1m]

Interesting that the rubbing block on the points is a common problem here. I didn't know that. Are these rubbing blocks failing because of age or poor quality? If it's poor quality, like my 2 new condensers that failed within 2 weeks, maybe the switch to an electronic ignition system is worthwhile?

[gt1953]

Here is what I carry during my travels.
Complete German 009 distributor, it has points preadjusted, rotor, cap, condenser.
Fuel pump with matching push rod.
Coil.
basic tools.
As far as break downs all of the above.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[TheAmazingDave]

[Mudpump]

I've never heard that bugs have a reputation for breaking down. I think reliability was always a plus for them. Maybe that's changing due to hack repairs by inexperienced DIY'ers, dying out of shops that actually know ACVW's, and crappy after market parts.

I've encountered 2 Bugs on the road having problems over the past couple years. Both times they ran out of gas because the driver pushed their luck on inaccurate gas gauge readings.

[LocknFestBug]

Back in the day, with my first '68 bug, I remember only one time having an accelerator cable breaking, and the occasional points needing adjustment and that's about it. And back then we ran the piss out of them cars. I also had a '68 bug in the 80's and I hardly ever did any maintenance to it and it was very dependable.
But in the last year and a half of owning another '68, I have been chasing the same two problems since I have had the car. Not idling, and vaporlock. Both are because of the aftermarket junk that's out there today. I contacted Volkzbitz and have a rebuilt Solex 30pict3 on the way and I decided on an electric fuel pump. I found two solex carburetors and two German distributors and I will never use another aftermarket part again. Lesson learned.
Other than the aftermarket carb and fuel pump, my DD is very reliable. That say's a lot being it is a 48 year old car!

[VERTED71]

My 69 bug left me stranded once in the Pearl Harbor NEX parking lot due to running out of fuel which in turn burned up the electric fuel pump. My 71 vert left me stranded the day I bought it because I was not aware that the fuel gauge was not working (according to gauge, had half a tank left). Walked 1 mile to buy fuel can from Sears (29 dollars...total rip off), then walked 1/2 mile in opposite direction to gas station.

Bought new components to include the fuel indicator and vibrator, "thought" it was working. Few months later, got on the freeway heading to Waikiki for Toys for Tots cruise and parade, gauge went from half to full then empty.....shut off on freeway shoulder.....

So.....fuel issues have been, well a issue for both of my most recent bugs! ).....albeit self inflicted . Have since learned to keep it fueled up even if I'm making a quick trip to 7-11 down the road. regardless of the fuel indicator

Other than that. I also keep spare points & codensor, oil, belt, assorted tools, fix-a-flat, spark plug, clutch and accelerator cables, zip ties, electrical and duct tape for those "just in case" moments.
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Aloha'z and have a great day!

71 Super Beetle Vert
15x4.5 Front
15x6.5 Rear
155/60R15 74T tires FRONT
205/65/15 tires REAR
1600 Dual Port
Progessive Carb
Electronic Ignition
Tri Mil "hotdog" exhaust

[VERTED71]

[andrewvwclassic]

[doc hopper]

To these others I would add fuel pump failure, specifically the pumps without a circlip on the pin that supports the pump operating lever.

I had one of those pins walk itself out of the hole while I was changing lanes at 70 mph on the freeway.
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"Honesty hath no fence against superior cunning"

[Cusser]

[jgcooney]

I've been driving and working on these cars for 55 years. The only problem I've ever had that left me beside the the road was a fuel pump a couple of years ago. I have always been thorough in my maintenance; replacing clutch and accelerator cables before they were worn out, checking points and plugs frequently, oil changes and valve adjustments every 2,000 to 3,000 miles. My experience has been that if they are properly maintained these old cars are very reliable.

[vamram]

Maybe the title should have been generic to bug owners. I've had my share, maybe cuz I'm not a mechanic.

5 bugs over 8 years (4 in the 80s):

- points closing - worse w today's points than 80s
- bad crankshaft seal soaking clutch
- dropped a valve requiring lower end rebuild
- bad flame thrower coil
- broken clutch cable shaft inside the tunnel
- broken accelerator cable
- vaporlock 1x
- shorted license plate light wires
- flat tire, no spare
- ran out of gas
- failed pertronix module
- crappy pertronix svda dizzy (there's a pattern here)
- bad needle valve in the carb bowl
- finally just yesterday, a corroded fuel hose by the tyranny swelling and blocking fuel flow

Quite a list!!
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'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
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[Old n' slow]

From up in Canada down in to Mexico thousands and thousands of air cooled miles, only two breakdowns.
#1 Original equipment, 60k miles not rebuilt, pierburg fuel pump crapped out in San Antonio , TX (breaking down you meet some of the nicest people when you least expect it : )
#2 Generator brushes wore down killing battery at night in the jungles of Vera Cruz, MX ( pure stupidity for not looking at them and not much fun in dark jungle : (

Actually one more, almost forgot #3, aftermarket distributed cap with a weak spring behind the center contact let me down a mile walk from home. It was intermittent and a real pain to diagnose.
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Currently own : 1969 Beetle w/ 1600cc, Single Port, Solex 30 PICT 2, Dist. 113 905 205 T, stock exhaust.
All my daily drivers gone but not forgotten;

1964(sunroof)1967 & (2)1968 Beetles , 1968 Squareback , 1963 (23 window )Deluxe Sunroof Bus , 1969 Westphalia camper, 1974 Dasher , 1985 Vanagon , (2) 1981 Rabbit Diesels & a 1991 Jetta Diesel .

[Old n' slow]