dumb question

My first air cooled 4 pot was a rusty 1969 912 I bought while in college.  I broke three fan belts, ran it out of oil four times, and eventually burned a valve due to a botched valve setting job (yes.. I set the valves).  Needless to say.. my mechanical skills are not what they are today.  After having the engine rebuilt, a valve spring broke cutting a valve stem seal at the same time.  I was fed up and sold it.

Although at the time I was quite frustrated with that car, I've not had a car as fun to drive as that 912.

I very much miss driving an light air cooled car and miss having a car I can tinker with (now that I know what I am doing)... exactly why I'm have John build me a Coupe.

Annaliese, sorry to hear about your misfortunes with your Tub so far.  Just keep in mind the enjoyment and attention you get in your Speedster.. and do not forget the wonderful support group of misfits you have here.  Hope you and the Speedster are back on the road soon!

 

 

I thought before your hub caps fell off that your brake lights went out and then your directional lights....  That may have been another Vintage, but I thought it was you.  Glad you clearEd up the name I also noticed the switch along the way....Luv Scro (tum). Thanks again for the name Vince...

yep you're right-- the brake lights and the turn signals totally went out. i forgot.

Sorry to remind you.....  But like they say, once you get all the kinks out of your brand new car, it will be A blast!!!  I'm just trying to get Vince to call me names again....  I sincerely do hope this is  the last issue though and you can ride off into speedster heaven that so many on this forum have enjoyed.....  It is a blast......

when the car is drivable it's really the best thing ever. i'm going to put a billion miles on it as long as it doesn't explode.

May I suggest you change your "handle" to Annaliese in your profile.

Very pretty name, by the way.

done =)

Nothing like the real thing Yee-ha.  Exept are speedsters!

 

 

 

 

And Annaliese, there was the door latch that made you hop in and out, no?

 

So, except for the door latch that made you hop in and out and the brake lights and turn signals that quit and the two sets of hub caps that fell off and an engine that left you stranded by the side of the road, the Speedster's been relatively trouble-free, right?

 

I'm watching your story very closely because I'm just about to order a car from Kirk - one that both my wife and I will be driving. I think I understand what I'm in for, but I'm concerned that this might be a frustrating driving experience for my wife.

 

I grew up in the sixties when all cars were completely mechanical (no computers). Cars were simple enough that almost anyone could keep one tuned themself with some basic skills and tools. The owners manual of my 1968 BMW (NOT the shop manual) had a usable wiring diagram for the whole car and complete step-by-step instructions for setting the timing and point gap, adjusting valve clearance, bleeding and adjusting brakes, gapping spark plugs - etc, etc, etc.

 

In short, they were encouraging owners to learn about how their cars worked because the cars could be maintained by an owner. The Speedster is such a car.

 

Learning about and working on the car also makes you more sensitive to what the car is telling you as you drive it - the sounds and the 'feel' of the engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes, etc.

If things do go wrong, you'll feel less helpless about what to do. You're more likely to know what might be wrong before you open the hood.

 

It's easy enough to find classes on basic car maintenance, and one of those may help you a lot in driving and enjoying a car like the Speedster. When those little red lights flash, it won't stress you out nearly as much.

 

Don't let Kirk tell you only that the car is 'fixed'. Press him to explain exactly what was wrong and what they did to fix it. Ask him to show you where on the engine the problem was.

 

The more you learn about the car, the more confident you'll feel driving it.

i am a little bit more mechanically competent then i am letting on maybe. my dad designed the syclone and typhoon for GMC in the 80s and opened a hot rod shop after that where i spent most of my childhood. i do understand cars though i am not really comfortable tinkering around with it on my own. while it's still under guarantee from kirk i would rather just let him fix it. that way if by some chance i make it worse then i won't be expecting kirk to fix unnecessary damage. i plan to buy a book about vw engines and read it.

 

once again i really appreciate everyone's help and advice. you guys are great.

Annaliese.

It's a good idea to buy a book on maintaining VWs, but it's going to be a pretty dry read!  Just use it as a reference when you need it. 

The mechanic came up from VS today. It's not the alternator or the fan belt. It's "something in the engine" and will need to be towed back to them. The car does not start. Also, my car apparently has a single carb instead of dual carbs. Anyone have any idea why? The mechanic seemed confused. I'm pretty annoyed again.

 

Did the engine crank over, but refuse to start, or did it not turn at all?

Maybe VS needs to change its engine builder.

Annaliese, I think you should check your contract with VS.  I've never seen them put a single carb engine in a car.  Something doesn't sound right.

yes the engine cranks but refuses to start.

the mechanic who came today also confirmed that my car is running rich. something i had previously told kirk that i suspected and apparently wasn't addressed when the car went down there to be tinkered with when the lights went out.

This is starting to sound a little unfair, i can't hold that comment back. Hubcaps problems , no lights, not a problem.

 

But now an potential engine problem with a single carb ?

 

I really wish Kirk, from Vintage would log- in and see this, i realize he's a nice guy, I have been to his shop and met him, and yes he is a good guy.

 

And i don't mean just see this post, but this whole SOC site, it's nationwide and he's a big part of it, with the most speedsters with his name on it, and his stamp on the front page.

 

If he looked thru this entire SOC forum and finished with reading some of latest post regarding what's in question, it would be good for him, and his business. 

 

You know Annaliese, i really don't know you, but i think you deserve the best engine out there, on Vintage Speedsters Dime.

 

Even though Your car is still under warranty, this still cost you. your time your effort and your money.

 

I've said good luck to you, a few times now and i'll say it again! good luck with your car.

 

Art

 

 

i actually have a friend flying in to visit with the intent of taking this car on a little road trip. they arrive friday and now there is no car to drive. liiiittle bit inconvenient.

I have also wondered why he wasn't more active on this site.  I understand he is running a business and cannot be on the internet all day, but making it part of your morning with coffee would be a great idea.

 

It's 2012 and the internet is going no where.  This could really improve his business being online.

 

My .02 as well.

****, Vince and Gerd can do it... and I'm surprised they can pump their own gas let alone post bondage photos of each other online.

Do you still have the car in your possession?

If so, do you mind snapping a quick pick of the engine and posting it here?

 

Curious is all

also-- remember when i was posting about the hubcaps and expressed concern that if the hubcaps couldn't even be put on properly then maybe other aspects of the car might be unsound? someone responded and told me to stop whining. very funny.

yeah i have the car in my drive way getting super dusty. how do i open the engine door? i will take a picture.

CHRISTIAN REMIND VINCE TO HIT U WITH A CRESCENT WRENCH THE NEXT TIME U SEE HIM, U WONT HAVE TO REMIND ME.

Please!

Will one of you local guys go over and help her?

Someone has to walk her through the basics of her car.

Annaliese, how could you take possession of your car without walking through instructions on how to do the most rudimentary things?

 

The engine lid is opened by pulling on the little knob located right behind the driver side door towards the top. 

See it. Pull it. Go around to the back  of the car and lift up the lid. There is a metal pin located by the left hinge, hanging on a chain. You'll see holes drilled through the hinge. Lift the lid until the holes line up. Stick the pin through the holes. That'll hold the lid up.

Annaliese: When you open the driver side door if you look towards the rear package tray area ( I won't call that a back seat LOL) near where the top's bows are mounted you should see a knob near the door opening that if pulled towards the front of the car will pop the rear/engine compartment deck lid. Mine is a machined aluminum knob about 1" diameter.

guys i took the pictures. breathe easy. posting them in a sec.

Just remember Annaliese this is all your fault. It has nothing to do with the car and how could you then not ask to be walked through the car????  Maybe someone should have offered that to you being a new owner and all, but this whole pile of problems is all on you....  

 

What a joke! You spend money on a new car and one thing after another and you are being told to relax and to learn how to work think kinks out... I find this whole post to be getting ridiculous.... Just my opinion...

right.. i didn't buy a used car. i didn't buy a project car off of craigslist or ebay. i bought a brand new car. i spent A LOT of money.

 

also everyone-- i was obviously kidding about needing to know how to open the hood. everyone calm down. i had already taken the photos before anyone had responded about my lack of rudimentary knowledge of this vehicle.

certainly all of these things that have gone wrong with this car have occurred because i am not a mechanic.

 

easy dude.

 

Right this is to be expected...... 

That does look like a single carb though, doesn't it?

why would there only be one carb? i sent kirk an email asking but i haven't heard back from them.

Is it me or are those the worse pic's of a motor I have ever seen....

 

TA, Tell Kirk to come get the car and that you don't want it back until all the problems

are solved/de-bugged or whatever it takes to get a tub that you can rely upon....

That is what i would do....

You do not need to be any form of mechanic to own and enjoy one of these tubs

 

this is getting rediculous...

 

Christian, here is some bondage for you....using an item found in most garages....

Don't tell Katie I gave you any ideas....

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone wanna buy a speedster?

Just so everyone doesn't have to stand on their head to see these photos.

Aren't the teeth of the fan belt in the wrong orientation?