72 Volkswagen Super Beetle

40

Asked by Teresa Nov 16, 2018 at 11:06 AM about the 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I'll be driving down the highway going 60 mph in
4th gear and all of a sudden my car will start
chugging, shaking/bucking(like you dont know
how to drive a stick), backfiring and loses power. It
will slow way down below speed limit and will do
this in all gears. What is wrong with it?

5 Answers

42,710

That forty six year old car is trying to tell you it needs a tune up. I would start with spark plugs and breaker points. Then a fuel filter and air filter. That's pretty easy task on that car. An independent shop with an "old guy" can do it cheap. I say "old guy" because no none under sixty ever worked on breaker points. Set the gap to 0.025 inches at it's widest opening. Replace the condenser, leave the timing alone for now. Fun car. I had one a long time ago.

40

What about the fuel pump or fuel filter is there anything wrong with that?

1 people found this helpful.
42,710

Start with the ignition tune up and see if that catches the problem. Then think fuel. The filter and if it still runs poorly test the fuel pump for about 5 psi pressure. These carbureted cars don't have the high (60psi) pressure pumps in the tank. Pump runs off cam, and mounts on engine block. Easy to replace. Whatever you replace will not be a waste as it probably needs everything to catch up the maintenance.

40

I literally driving it right now now and it is running awesome it is so temperamental when it comes to this issue it comes So Random and we were thinking maybe it's a clogged fuel line in the reserve tank? All of this information helps me tremendously thank you so much!

40

This car is also like "tweaker-rigged" we recently found 3 shorts just for the generator... we found a short in the fuel pump and it's been a lot better but it still does it the chugging thing and loses almost all power. We can barely keep to 30 mph when it does this.. do you really believe it's just the spark plugs? I understand it probably could use both but this isnt my vehicle.. I'm currently loaning it and I'm not trying to spend that much money on something that isnt even mine...

Your Answer:

Super Beetle

Looking for a Used Super Beetle in your area?

CarGurus has thousands of nationwide listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Jorge Vazquez
    Reputation
    300
  • #2
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    210
  • #3
    red74beetle
    Reputation
    190
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Volkswagen Beetle
14 Great Deals out of 181 listings starting at $2,495

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.