My engine started making a noise on an evening drive home late last year and has been locked in the garage ever since. Now that the weather is warming up I am anxious to resolve the problem. It basically sounds like one of the four exhaust ports at the engine is open but all are bolted up tight. At idle is sounds pretty normal but when I give it some throttle it makes the sound, it also seems down on power. The sound seems to be getting external and does not seem to be internal or metallic. The engine has about 6,000 miles on a professional rebuild and is a stock '76 Beetle except for carbs, ignition and exhaust.
I'm not one to tear into an engine and nearby VW experts are hard to find plus I am afraid to drive it, so I would appreciate your experiences and suggestions. A few weeks ago someone on the list suggested checking for a loose sparkplug but all were tight. This was only the second long trip after installing a merged exhaust and stinger so I am unsure that could be the cause, all the exhaust bolts are up tight and not leaking.
One thought was perhaps a leaking head (hopefully not warped or cracked!). Someone told me VW's do not have a head gasket, is that true? I am now armed with a compression gauge so hope to check that this week. Any other thoughts?
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