Sweet as a nut?
Our air-cooled VWs have always enjoyed a healthy reputation for bulletproof reliability and will often keep going, despite mechanical problems that would see most cars on a one-way street to their local garage. That’s why it’s easy to simply ignore rough running issues or put off opening the engine lid on a car that’s a pig to drive. Disgraceful as it sounds, that’s just what happens sometimes.
Of course, even the best maintained and serviced cars can have their issues, with cutting out, flat spots, loss of power and backfiring all traits most of us are all too aware of. But why put up with this when there’s simple steps you can take to get your pride and joy running sweetly again before the show season kicks off? Here’s a guide to point you in the right direction when it comes to sussing out what’s wrong, and how to put things right again.
01 Valve clearances
One thing that tends to get overlooked until the engine is hot and stranded at the side of the road, running like the timing is out or backfiring, is valve clearances. Strictly speaking, these should be checked every 3000 miles and the cork gaskets replaced. Clearances should always be checked and adjusted when the engine is cold. To check, pry off the spring clip and remove the rocker cover. Expect to catch some oil with a rag. Now, remove the distributor cap and turn the engine until it is at top dead centre (TDC) on number
