Tune Up Time

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01) 01/13/2014 at 16:30 • Filed to: Baja Bug

1

9

So I'm going to be doing a general tune up on the Baja Bug today. I'll be doing a valve adjustment, timing check, oil change, etc. Can any Opponauts give me tips/warnings/recommendations before I move forward? I've never done a tune up on this car before so I'm trying to get all the info I can before I proceed. Thanks in advance!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Big Bubba Ray 01/13/2014 at 16:42

1

Other than recalling a stock bug typically needs more adjustment on cylinder #3 due to running hotter temps, I don't know that there's anything special. Just make sure your fuel system is 100% while you're in there, because the infamous VW engine fires are often started by weak spots in the fuel supply line and elsewhere.

505Turbeaux > Big Bubba Ray 01/13/2014 at 16:56

0

Ramblin rover nailed it. Hit all the valves at .004, but hit that #3 exhaust valve at .006. Just like your pipe, clean that oil screen, and good to go. Do it DEAD cold on the valves. always check the pushrod tubes and replace the VC gaskets

Aaron Vick Starnes > Big Bubba Ray 01/13/2014 at 17:00

0

I'm not sure about VWs but my old motorcycle had to be cold to adjust valves properly. Good luck!

Big Bubba Ray > Aaron Vick Starnes 01/13/2014 at 17:33

0

Ya the Bug is the same. The engines gotta be stone cold for a proper adjustment.

Big Bubba Ray > 505Turbeaux 01/13/2014 at 17:35

0

Thanks for the info! I was going to adjust the valves to .005 all around. I'll make sure to get cylinder 3's exhaust to .006. I've been having an occasional misfire out of #3 so hopefully that will solve the problem. Thanks!

Big Bubba Ray > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/13/2014 at 17:39

0

Thanks for the help. I'm going to adjust cylinder 3's exhaust to .006 and see if that solves the occasional misfires I've had out of that cylinder. The fuel lines are all good to go! The previous owner put in all new lines, wiring harness, everything important, before I bought it so it should be ready to roll.

Anything in particular I should look for in the fuel lines just to double check that they're all good?

505Turbeaux > Big Bubba Ray 01/13/2014 at 17:51

0

I have done valves every which way between .oo3 and .oo6 all the way around. .oo4 is the best balance of smooth running and noise aound, cept for that #3 exhaust. When you get in there check how the #3 intake is, if it is far off I usually set that one to .oo5. I don't think your misfire is being caused by the valve adjustment unless it is really whacked out. Do valves before the ignition tune up, and run the engine in between. I bet you find it is something wonky in the cap or a wire. Also my favorite plugs on these are copper core Bosch Supers. Don't run platinums or anything crazy. DO NOT PUT CHAMPIONS IN PLEASE, or you will be putting a new head on it eventually$

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Big Bubba Ray 01/14/2014 at 00:02

0

best $20 spent. Also make sure the old gasket it completely removed before placing the new one in. while under check all hoses (especially fuel). Also a good time to wipe down the bottom of the engine and look for any leaking oil. Wear safety goggles its all fun till you get that oily grain of sand in your eye. But seriously check the fuel lines.

Porsche Audi VW used to do some crazy parts bin stealing and came up with some wacky hose configurations. They get old, they start to slip, then they start to spay fuel.

Good luck on the tune up!

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Big Bubba Ray 01/14/2014 at 00:10

0

Make sure they are snug with no visible cracks. Also no wet spots on the outside of the lines. I don't know how old your car is but, like brake lines it's one of those things that you don't want to wait to have a problem. If its carburated then replacement fuel lines are cheap. If Fuel Iinjected then the line gets a little more expensive.

edit i see they've been replaced. It is still good to look around the connections. The little clamps don't seal like factory ones.