1600 vw motor hard to start once it's warmed up and sits.

Asked by 74bug Nov 12, 2014 at 01:30 PM about the 1974 Volkswagen Beetle

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

1974, 1600 vw w/pict34-3 starts easy when cold, runs very good.  Will start up right after it's shut off, but after it sits for 5-10 minutes it's very hard to start and runs very rich.  I have adjusted the valves, set the timing to 32 BDC, replaced plugs, rebuilt carb, float was fine.  What's next, new carb?  It runs great once it starts.

5 Answers

144,885

I would think carburator had time to set after warm,and fuel pressure up,the carb is flooding and that may be your issue,replace carburator.

3 people found this helpful.
70

It's the plastic piece that drops in below the fuel pump that guides the rod for the fuel pump. Once it gets hot it swells up and holds the fuel rod up. There is videos on YouTube how to sand that piece. I believe they call it vapor lock or something. Once you sand it should take care of it. I'm converting mine to a 3.5 PSI eltronic fuel pump with a safety switch on the oil pressure cause the local auto parts fuel pumps keep going out on me every few months due to the hot heat in Florida and the ethenal in the fuel messing up the digram.

7 people found this helpful.
80

EITHER VAPOR LOCKING ...OR TIMING SET TOO ADVANCED..IF THE TIMING IS TOO ADVANCED THE ENGINE WILL HAVE A LOPE IN IT WHILE CRANKING AND TRYING TO START , AFTER IT GETS HOT..

8 people found this helpful.
100

You probably don't have the original fuel pump. Replacements have springs that are too tight/strong thus create too much pressure. When you stop the car all that pressure pushes the fuel back down, past the needle and float into the intake manifold. The whole fuel system is flooded. "Plumb" a pressure regulator between the pump and carburetor. Throw in a pressure gauge too. Pressure should be about 2.8 lbs. Give credit where it's due: watch the linked video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqNkngDrlcI

10 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Beetle

Looking for a Used Beetle in your area?

CarGurus has 173 nationwide Beetle listings starting at $4,490.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    3,220
  • #2
    Chris Billings
    Reputation
    2,980
  • #3
    Deathjam4
    Reputation
    2,150
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Civic
200 Great Deals out of 4,053 listings starting at $440
Used Volkswagen Golf
25 Great Deals out of 455 listings starting at $2,799
Used Porsche 911
28 Great Deals out of 481 listings starting at $21,888
Used Ford Mustang
60 Great Deals out of 1,365 listings starting at $4,995
Used Ford Bronco
24 Great Deals out of 1,289 listings starting at $37,000
Used BMW 3 Series
64 Great Deals out of 1,232 listings starting at $2,500
Used Toyota Corolla
146 Great Deals out of 2,444 listings starting at $3,900
Used FIAT 500
4 Great Deals out of 139 listings starting at $3,493
Used Dodge Challenger
22 Great Deals out of 455 listings starting at $7,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.