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Cranks but wont start?

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 1964 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 55,000 MILES
I just bought this classic and it ran for a long time (a week). I have had it for less than a month. I want to know why it won’t start. It turns over but won't start. I’m getting worried because I don’t know how long the gas should sit in there before getting bad and causing other problems. I know the car has 40-horse power it’s a type one and it’s an air-cooled engine. The oil is black. When changing the oil it recommends I run the car for a couple of minutes before, but I can’t even start the car. 14 years old seems young to get a car, but I loved cars since I was born and I’m buying the car myself. Please help! My classic 1964 VW Beetle. Thank you.
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 AT 6:11 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
Three things are necessary for an engine to run, compression, spark at the right time and a proper amount of fuel. Check compression of the engine, spark at the spark plugs and fuel in the carburetor. Does the engine have spark? Here is a guide to help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
DR.PHILL1999
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I had a 1972 Super Beetle with the same issue. I replaced the distributor with a BOSCH .009 distributor and rotor. The Bug started but kept blowing condensers like a monster. Turns out it was the timing, a lot of people use the timing gun to time the old beetles but... the mechanical advance is very aggressive and ends up messing your timing. I ended up static timing the beetle with a test light. I started it up and it still runs like a champ. although you need to make sure you tighten down the distributor bolt fairly tight or like me you will become experienced with roadside backfires. I forget how to exaclty do it so I included a video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeNN-LzJh2I
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Friday, March 30th, 2018 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
MNKYFRG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1964 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Engine Performance problem
1964 Volkswagen Beetle 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

I have a '64 bug I bought, it ran fine for a while, just recently I was driving it and it started to pull. I figured it was the fuel lines since it was sitting for about 3 years. I pulled the gas tank cleaned it and the filter, blew out the fuel lines, changed all hoses and checked out the fuel pump. All seems to be working fine, now it wont really start, when it does it immediately dies. Please help, I need a car for work. Thanks
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the coil if okay adjust the point gap and ignition timing to include a fuel mix adjustment and curb idle speed.
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CALICOWBOY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1967 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Engine Mechanical problem
1967 Volkswagen Beetle 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

Hi we have a VW motor 1967 and we've checked everything and it started once and then died and now it tries to turn over but wont start and seems like everything we try to start it in a row it's like it's slowly dieing.
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
It sounds to me like you have starter problems, the starters dragging, the starters not turning the engine over fast enough to start, specially if the engine is low on compression, it will be harder to start, so I suggest you check out the starter, have you tried to kick start it? To see if it runs?
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Check and make sure you are getting fuel. Check the points, You can see when the lobe of the points are on the high side of the distributor and then set the points a thickness of a match book is about right. The more you try to start it the battery drains down, recharge the battery on a slow charge this way it builds up the voltage slower but makes for a better charge. When you rty to start it don't keep the starter turning for over a minute at a time. The starter gets hot and then starts to turn over the engine slower from bein overheated.
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAWKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1963 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 120,000 MILES
My wife bought the car on a whim. Replaced the battery. Started and ran a couple of times, sat about a month. Tried starting again and again. Gave up, tried again a week later. No go. Now the new battery seems dead. I know nothing about under the hood stuff, just a turn the key and it's suppoed to start guy. It cranked and cranked before the battery died. My ignorant guess is choke, but know nothing. Before I get the battery charged and repeat my mistakes I need some help. Thanks!
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
It could be a choke. Recharge the battery and then you need to check to make sure you are getting spark and fuel to the engine. One is most likely missing.
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HAWKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You mentioned choke. Is it manual? I remember having a choke on my Grandpa's pickup that I had to pull out before starting. Does the Beetle have one I should be operating?
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NINJACHANG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1967 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
Electrical problem
1967 Volkswagen Beetle Two Wheel Drive Manual

hello. i have a 67 vw bug converted into a dune buggy and it refuses to start. my father insists its an electrical problem, but i think its got something to do with the fuel pump. last year it would start and run, but every time you took your foot off the gas and tried to let it idle, it would stall. this year it tries to turn over, charged the battery, but it just wont start. any help would be awesome, thanks.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/349890_n626875122_3255277_4073_1.jpg

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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JALOPYPAPA
  • MEMBER
  • 467 POSTS
If by "tries to turn over" you mean it won't crank, assuming you've checked that the battery indeed is holding a charge and all cables are tight and clean, replace the starter. If it cranks but won't start, check the throat of the carburetor to see if gas is getting to it. If not, check the carburetor float valve, fuel line and fuel pump. If it is getting gas, check to see that spark is coming from a spark plug wire. If not, check distributor and ignition coil.
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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 3:58 PM (Merged)

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