72 Volkswagen Thing
I need help figuring out where to start with a backfiring & rough idle issue. I've only worked on my jeeps & moms Ford Expedition so this will be my first attempt at the Thing. Any suggestions are appreciated.
he passed away never really ever driving it but a few years ago I decided to put it in a car show and on the way back home is when it started to backfire.
Sounds like a good idea to rebuild your carburetor if he never really drove it. Gunk and crud from 10% ethanol gas is probably in it. I would also replace all of your vacuum hoses.
Thank you Justin! Carburetors were my first adventure so I can definitely do that with some confidence! 😊
Also, it is highly recommended if you plan to keep an air-cooled VW around that you buy this book! Although primarily about the VW Bug most of it will be applicable to the Thing.
Oooh thank you!... my dad bought it in 85', he passed away never really ever driving it but a few years ago I decided to put it in a car show and on the way back home is when it started to backfire. I parked it, covered it, and I wasn't as confident at trying to look at it until I finally started learning this stuff a couple of years ago. Turns out I can fix stuff by myself so I'm going to try to start on the Thing after I replace my water pump pulley tomorrow 😊 (I might need to pick ur brain at some point tho)
Should I need to drain the gas that's in it? Put some fresh in it before I start this project?
It has been many years since I worked on an air-cooled VW, but back in the day when they filled the streets I'd wrench on them frequently. (When getting deeply into one I'd sometimes sit up at night in a cold sweat like in this illustration from the book...)
😆 lol that's me EVERY TIME something breaks on Mom's or mine!
Check dwell (point gap) and ignition timing. Check for vacuum leaks. Carb may need adjustment, cleaning, or even rebuilding. (Too lean a mixture can cause backfiring.) If any work has been done recently on the engine make sure the firing order of the plugs is correct. A bad ignition condenser can cause backfiring. (I once blew out the muffler on a 1964 Rambler because of that.) Check valve clearance - air-cooled VW engines require frequent valve adjustment.
You might want to pull the spark plugs to check for clues to possible problems.
I will start going down the line of every suggestion you've made in that order! I'm a little intimidated when it comes to the timing tho but I'll get it figured out in due time... thank you 😊
It's not hard to do. You really do need the book I mentioned in my other post! (First published in 1969, it is still in print.)
Should I need to drain the gas that's in it? Put some fresh in it before I start this project?
Yes, change the fuel filter and clean the carb as well.
I'd change oil if it's been sitting a long time (oil not changed in over a year), and clean the oil strainer. Back in the day it was recommended to use straight-weight oil in those engines due to the high heat generated but that was before the advent of modern synthetics.
This site is a great resource and has lots of information:
http://www.vw-resource.com/table.html
Oil recommendations here:
http://www.vw-resource.com/engine_oil.html#grade
I don't know if y'all have a lot of girls on here but I'm really trying to not "geek out" at how great this is that I've finally found help!!! Around here I can't even ask a guy a question without them running away for fear of being put to work so I really appreciate y'all for taking the time for me... I also have a 74vw bug, 2004 Tahoe, (a GM OR it's a MG I can't ever remember it right but it's a little 2 seater convertible) a s10 I got running by myself after no one else would try to help it for 5yrs, and a fancy Dodge pick up that I'm to scared to look at(I'm not confident enough in my skills to even look at it cause it's fancy with computer stuff).... so I hope I don't make y'all crazy in the time to come
