a friends 1978 vw super beetle that he got from an elderly couple, well it is a nice clean car other then the fact that when they stop smoke pours out of the back, so lets go find out what is wrong with it and get it fixed.
My dad left me a 1979 triple white version of this VW,,,it had sat in a garage in Scotland for 14 yrs,,,,I drove the car and parked it up back then but when I got it all those years later the engine had seized? Couldn't store it,,100% rust free,,,,let it go to an old guy who was helping us rebuild our new house for £1000,,worst mistake ever !! Love these videos ,,!!
Why do I like watching Mustie1? He is the Fred Rogers or Bob Ross of repair. I work as a part time school bus driver. After a long drive with 50 plus screaming kids having this wonderful show to unwind too is splendid . ASMR for the nerves, thank you Mustie1.
Just wanted to take a minute to thank you Darrin for taking the time to move the cameras around and the editing etc. for all your videos. I know it's a real pain to do all that and half the time the cameras are taking up your room to move around etc. Got to be a pain in the butt but thanks. We appreciate it!
Someguys are good mechanics but cant make a watchable video at the same time Then there are guys who are great at making videos but are no good at trouble shooting and repair. Darren is good at both and so much more. The number of views and subscribers speaks for itself. Best gearhead video channel on RU-vid hands down
July 4, 1976, moving from Macon Ga to Ft pierce Fl, my brothers 70 bug sucked a valve on #3, just south of Valdosta, had to tow it the rest of the way. Just unhooked the 65 dune buggy and hooked his up. Rebuilt it after we got here, drove it for 4 more years. Ahh, the memories.
Nice to see a mechanic that doesn’t just do a job like this and give it back straight away: a bit of running around, tweaking and checking for week or so is excellent service. Or is it that you just like it so much that you have decided to enjoy it for a bit...........works both ways right!
You are very knowledgeable!! I'm buying my second Super Beetle and I like them better as they have a better front end on them, more durable. You are the ONLY reason I know how to work on them a little. Keep the vids coming, at least once a week.
40 years ago, a friend of mine (20f) had a beetle with an oil leak. Imagine her surprise when she went to see how we were going, and her engine was out of the car completely. Talk about freaking out. We had to explain to her it was easier (and quicker) to take the engine out to fix the oil leak. We might have been able to do it with the engine in-suit, but would have taken three times as long. Theres simple no room to work on the engine with it in the car. The oil leak was found, fixed and engine cleaned and re-installed all in one day. To say she was impressed was an understatement. Loved working on these old cars.
So Mr. Mustie, it would appear you've done this kind of thing before... I'm a Saab guy from way back but I feel like most of the mysteries I've held about V-dubs all these years have all been finally revealed. Thank you!
Mustie 1 is THE man to fix this thing. It's nice to see two guys who know each other and what they're doing, working together. At 17:05, both put their foot upon the stand to slide the engine on, at the same time. A detail but that's called team work. I love that. PS : Even after watching you for a couple of years now, fixing those VW engines, I'm still amazed by the simple, logical and stout engineering that went into those. Of course, there's the Mustie touch at play here, you knowing all the specific problems areas of each generation of the air cooled boxer engines, but the basic concept of these is brilliant. Your explanation of the No 3 cylinder and the thermostat problems are clear, and logical. You're a good teacher, man. A great one. I'll go to bed tonight having learned something new, witch is important to me as my late father, a very wise man, mechanical engineer, often told me that "a day without learning something is a wasted day". Thank you so much, Darren !
Love your little lift. Back in my student days (1970's) we had a manual life. Two burley blokes lifted the rear of the car whilst we dropped the engine out of the bottom. No engine stand either. We worked on the bench ( if we were lucky) or made do with the garage floor. The things you can do when you're young and poor. Kept a number of friends VW's going for years with just basic tools, pizza and beer (beer only AFTER the job was done). Gearboxes were the only thing I never repaired, as I had no interest in learning how to fix them. Happy wrenching.
Amazed at your knowledge, persistence, and ingenuity!!! Industrial mechanic for a decade myself, but sometimes automotive baffled me. Fixed my lawnmower and trimmer this summer...happy days!! Cheers Brother!!
Many years ago, I had a 1967 Deluxe Beetle with the 1500 engine. The oil cooler started leaking, and I was fortunate to have a friend who had mechanical knowledge. We managed to get the cooler out by removing the engine cover and wiggling it out. New seals and a pressure check of the cooler, and it was good. I sold that car with 150,000 miles on it. The guy who bought it trashed it. . It was without a doubt, one of the best cars I've ever owned. Oh. By the way, after I bought it in 1969 used, It burned #3 exhaust valve, and I had to have it repaired. Cost me $50 back then at a VW dealer. The previous owner had never adjusted the valves. Mustie, I have to admit, your videos are great. I love the way you work and chat, explaining how things work. Thank you for doing these.
Perfect timing! I'm in the process of installing a rebuilt / modified 1600 Dual port -1974 vintage. I appreciate your videos on bugs and vans- always learn something and I've been wrenching since 1960.
Thank you for explaining the heat circulation part. Yeah, some people may think ok ok speed it up your rambling but, theres viewers like me really appreciate in-depth and think we'll if you already know certain parts fast forward a little. From your videos about vw I feel confident and comfortable owning one since I'm understanding the mechanical of how it all works. Only concern I have is how cylinder number three runs warmer than the rest of the cylinders do but once I find one I'll make sure to enjoy it only in temperatures that don't exceed 65 but not too cold either. Growing up i've seen these all year round but now i understand that you have to treat a air cooled a certain way. Didn't mean to ramble myself but had to let you know that I like things explained more. I see that the f.i. bugs are better than the carb'd bugs which I'm sure someone will comment different and that's fine im learning
Thanks for vids mustie. I pulled the engine out of my '65 bug so many times I got to where I could pull it in a half hour using a scissor jack. Lost the clutch in Fresno on a cross country trip in 1976. Got towed into a field behind the Howard Johnsons pulled engine did clutch and engine in in one day. cost $100. True story no bs. Girlfriends birthday she sat in hojo all day.
Without a doubt the man behind the curtain here. Mustie1 is the Mr. Wizard of VW's. I'd love to have one but I have nobody down south here with the knowledge, experience, and care for these cool little cars as he does! Keep up the good work I might even sign up for the mechanics class too!
I've watched a couple of you videos I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoy them, plus learning about the mechanics of the beetles. If only I had one. That ending though lol!!!
Another great one man, great explanation of the thermostat and fan workings with the heater boxes! Those bugs sure do drive like go carts! Also nice blooper real there at the end. LOL! Your making me want to work on my bus motor now. cheers!
Actually the thermostat only helps to warm up the motor, to get heat into the car. You have to pull your heat lever inside by the e-brake handle. That will open the flaps on the heat exchanger on the exhaust manifolds, if you don’t do that you will have no heat. The thermostat on the motor only controls the flaps in the fan shroud. The flaps in the fan shroud, help the motor get to operating temperature quicker in cold weather. His explanation and your understanding of how an air cooled VW heating system works, is incorrect. 🤙. (o\_|_/o)
What a nice Beetle and a fuel injected flat four! I’m considering buying an old 1965 Beetle for restoration, albeit, I am not as savvy as old Mustie1 here!
Cooper, that is one of the great things about RU-vid. There are many experts in their field that want to share what they know with folks who want to learn. My channel is on machining and making stationary steam engines and machine tools. I have mentored quite a few folks along the way. Watch the videos the interest you and ask questions. We are all happy to answer them. We post videos to pass on what we know... Fred Ontario, NY
Damn it Mustie, Ya almost make me go looking for old cars to drag home too. Love that you have so many near you. I'm up in the Pacific Northwest and there doesn't seem to be the barn find bonanza you enjoy. Thanks for the vids. Almost wish I was closer.
..........one thing that I've noticed in all of your videos of fixing and working on Volkswagons over time............is how I wish I had your patience with working on things. No matter how stubborn something might be to remove or bolt to loosen you always seem to find the humour in it. I know it doesn't make sense to get frustrated with inanimate objects but I can't seem to NOT let it get the best of me. :) Love the videos. All the best.
learning learning, looking at that belt the hole time thinking that moves a bit strange… Wondering if that is normal. I wouldnt/ couldnt do what you do , wanting to fix all these problem you see ,but knowing the owner doesnt want or cant fix them. One thing these people dont need is a heater if they only drive in the summer for the fun;).Nice one and thank you for teaching and letting us learn more.
Nice Super Beatle video, even if we know they're not your favorite to work on. And loved how vwnut came running when he seen the bat (VW) signal! Always ready to lend a hand, and he's a great guy, even if he did take Ruby out in SNOW recently! Looking forward to you getting back on that bike though, and perhaps the Cushman a bit?
Hi Mustie1.. I've been laid up after some surgery and unable to get to my own. shop. I look forward to your projects and enjoy spending some virtual time with you, it is helping my recovery! Looking forward to your exploration of that Jawa you picked up recently.
Rod Charlton Hope you are better now. I just replaced some v6 valve covers that were smoking. It took 3 days on and off but I feel great about it. 95 Buick Riviera 3800 series 1 supercharged.
Dear Rod Charlton. Yes, yes, yes and yes, Sir! I'm waiting for such a long time for the finishing Jawa project vid and asked Mustie1 several times about it in different comments. Unfortunately I got no answer. I'm pretty curious to watch Mustie1's face when realising how powerful this little motorbike is. Hope you became healthy meanwhile. Best regards.
Thanks for sharing.......This is a re-run for me, watched it way back and watching again now. I love the Super Beetles, a lot of people do not care for them, and prefer the old school Bugs which I totally understand. The Super Beetles ride (Provided the suspension is not worn out, and has been "refreshed") so much better with Struts in the front and they sound better than the older ones IMHO.
Another great video, very well done again (video and repair). Because of Mustie1 skills the owners of this beautiful convertible will have fun again for sure.
I forget the year of the bus that broke down in front of the Ford dealer I worked at. I said why not I'll give it a look I hear vw are easy...had to be fuel injected cause it had one of those flap air meters...excuse me it's been at least 10 years but I remember the fixes... It was...every freaking vac line was bad. Wiring was crispy for the ignition. Got em going tho in a couple hours.
Liked watching your work on the 68 Beetle. You seem to have the knack of finding bugs. I guess if you look you can find them and maybe even get a good deal. I enjoy your videos.
I had a 72 yellow bug years ago and on a trip back from cedar point to Michigan the heat coming out of the floor vents on the side was so bad that my girlfriend at the time shoved kleenex in the vents to try to stop the heat and they actually caught fire !! My mechanic at the time just stopped those vents from working for good and that was a cold ride in the winters from then on.....that bug was a great car always started and went thru the snow like it had 4wd and never let me down.
Thanks, I own a '78 FI Super Beetle Convertible, and you don't see many videos about the FI engines. Thankfully, mine runs like a top, but it's great to see one worked on, so I have a better idea of what to do when a future problem arises.
Love that thermostat system - reminds me of some old cars and trucks I've seen where the grille slats could be open or closed to regulate the temperature, rather than the current system of coolant bypassing the radiator. Nice. :-)
Probably more efficient that way - less drag if you don't have unneeded air trying to get through the rad. It's really not a bad idea, so long as it doesn't get gummed up with corrosion.
The ground-out of each cylinder's ability to provide spark is called a "dynamic compression test" and was first selectively available with the first Sun scopes. It is a powerful tool for determining what specific cylinder(s) are contributing to power at idle and in some cases MOT and WOT.
Had a timed VW engine pull back in the 80’s....it was of coarse on an early Bug. I was able to get the motor out in 12 minutes then it took me 27 minutes to install, let the car down and crank it. I was young back then....it would probably take me an hour now.
Funny, I bought a Saab 9-3 that had a new engine put in it at the Saab dealership (this was back when Saab still had dealerships of course), and when I left the dealership the oil was full on the dipstick. By the time I got home which was a 300 mile drive the thing was low TWO QUARTS OF OIL. Turns out when they put the new engine in somebody nicked one of the o-rings that went to the oil cooler and sure enough I was hemorrhaging oil. O-rings, truly evil creatures.
I LOVE All your videos but a comment on this one i would have douched and cleaned all ther oil off the engine so if its leaks again after your repair it would be easier to locate the point of the leak AND would have looked like a more professional job thats all you are great and my #1 you tube channel i look forward to seeing your vids also i had a 65 bug I LOVED TO DEATH keep um up
Hell yes! My first car was a 1970 bug I bought from my Dad, in 1973, It developed an oil leak from the push rod tubes, and I tried to replace them with something I was told you could do without pulling the engine and tearing the whole engine down. I had no money, tools, or knowledge. So I ran it anyway, checking the oil and adding every day. Until I didn't. When it blew up my Dad repossessed it. Learning experience.
Love watching your vids... always so interesting... you will have to come and help me with my vw when I eventually get one... all the way to Cape Town South Africa 😜
Curious as to why you didn’t spray off the oil muck to clearly see if leaks were at all appearing. They are lucky to have you as their mechanic cause you are the man. Love your channel- I’m addicted to your videos of you putting stuff together- therapeutic.
the supers ride nice ! I like the 71 72s, but give me an early bug any day ...currently I have a 65 and just changed the oil cooler seals and trans input seals .. 1600 sp 12volt ...nice running car ! ...where I'm located we don't use the thermostats but keep the flaps tied open... I always liked the vw heaters and if anything they get very hot, so usually its just cracked open in the morning or open all the way if you want to defrost HA. I guess with the flaps shut and the heater boxes open it would heat up the cab even quicker... KEEP ON BUGGIN
I know this is an old video Mustie and the Bug is long gone,but I think I would have degreased the motor first than ran it to check for leaks but I know you are the V Dub go-to -guy and know what your doing,at any rate,a great video as usual.
Aviation form a gasket is the only thing I ever found to stop all the leaks in a VW engine. Even the split in the case is leak free. Permatex makes good gasket products
Closest thing we have to a diner is the Scottish restaurant (McDees) but anyway nice bit of wrenching bro. Who else but a VW nut to help lift a VW motor, makes total sense.
