• Registered: 2010-06-08
  • Posts: 1

Topic: newbie with question

hello, i'm new here and have a question (the first of many to come, lol). so i just bought my first beetle. it's a 73 sb that had been sitting for about 7 months. the battery was toast but with some jumper cables and a spray of starter fluid i got it running quickly, but only for 20-30 seconds at a time. i got a carb rebuild kit and rebuilt it yesterday. after getting everything back together, it won't fire at all now. i put a new battery and new plugs in and set the distributor (electronic ignition instead of points) to tdc. can't figure out why i'm not getting anything now. i pulled a plug and am getting spark. pretty sure it is fuel related (pump is working fine but think i need some serious carb adjustments). anyone know how far out the air bypass screw should be and the smaller jet under it? any other adjustments (34pict3)? any ideas? thanks in advance.

  • From: City of Roses
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 793

Re: newbie with question

Hiya Christian,

Welcome aboard!

Generally speaking the adjustment screws on a 34PICT3 should be gently turned in until they bottom out.  And you want to make that bottoming out very soft - there is a chance of deforming hole and screw by tightening down on these screws.  From bottom out you want to come back out about two and a half turns.  That is good for a starting spot.

Get more info on adjusting your 34PICT3 at Rob & Dave's website...........http://www.vw-resource.com/table.html

Mike

1970 AS Bug
1970 Bus - The Ruptured Duck
  • From: Pilot Hill Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-12-04
  • Posts: 69

Re: newbie with question

welcome to the world of bugs they will drive you crazy but you keep coming back for more.anyway take it slow dont mess with to much at one time .spray some starter fluid or a little gas in the carb. and turn it over if it starts its a fuel problem if it dont start its a electric problem.check fuel pump or carb is messed up.hope this helps

Pilot Hill Ca.
  • From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Re: newbie with question

Can you take out a plug and see if its getting any gas to that cylinder?

If there's no fuel getting into the cylinder, I'd be curious if you have the solenoid valve that prevents engine run-on.  If its malfunctioning or not plugged in...? Stuck closed?

If it is getting fuel and your spark is good, you might consider advancing that timing a bit also (like 5-7 degrees) just to get it started.

Did you remove the plug wires from the distributor (that is, could the firing order have been mixed up at any point?)

-biggie

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