How to minimize most of the problems with throttle cable failure. Lots of people break cables all the time I think I can say rarely happens to me much anymore.
blasted Volkswagen is the king of nuance every part on these things has volumes of tips and tricks, nothing is simple and straight forward Thanks Mike!
Thanks for this and all your valuable tips mike. I am about to get back into the VW world again after a 20 year hiatus and after watching your vids I feel more confident of getting it done right the first time.
This video finally showed me what I needed to see. From other videos I could not determine if there was a tube from the chassis to the tube running through the fan shroud. Your video shows what I belleve is the way my '63 is set up - and that is bare cable from the chassis tube up to the fan shroud tube. Thank you!
I've been using a heavy dudy throttle cable for my last few bugs except the 71 super I had last year. In the past my throttle cable broke dam near in all the places you pointed out. Good vid
VW throttle cables are interesting things, if you've ever driven a Bug with a collapsed mount on the forward end of the gearbox transaxle. The engine revs up as you let out the clutch, makes life interesting in heavy city traffic.
Thanks for posting. I bought a dune buggy and having issues with the throttle. Not being familiar with VW I was kinda clueless. This video was a big help understanding what things were (the tube through the doghouse) and the little things to make sure the cable slides freely. Thinks again.
A lot of people also miss out on the full throttle opening vs throttle cable adjustment... They'll set it up too loose, or more commonly, they'll tighten it so much that when the pedal is at max depression it twists and strains the connections at both the pedal and carb. Get someone to help you set up the pedal's maximum depression to match the carb's max when it's hitting the pedals stop. That way the tension on the cable doesn't spike, or have the cable fittings absorbing all the tension instead of the designer's built in limits from the pedals and carbs... too much cable tension also causes carb's bushings to wear and leak from torque on butterfly shaft.
Great video, thanks! I knew about the tube going through the fanshroud, but not about tweaking the tube in the chassis slightly to get the alignment right!
The hoover bit seals the top of the oil cooler from the bottom half of the engine to keep the hot bits away from the not so hot bits. If you google a picture of Vw hoover bit you should be able to see what it’s for and why it’s important
You do need the plastic tube between the engine tube and the chassis tube. Keeps the cable from cutting into the soft aluminum transmission like a toothless hacksaw blade and prevents cable from binding on side of transmission. The tube also defines/controls the effective length of the cable - a longer tube pulls the cable shorter at the carb and a shorter one increases the reach. If your cable is too long for aftermarket carbs whether single or dual, use a longer tube. You can dial it in for the perfect length to enable clamping at the solid end of the cable. Use 1/2 inch plastic tube from home depot. Buy at least twice as much as you think you need. Place it and eyeball the length. Rinse and repeat as necessary. Start long and decrease as necessary. And don't forget to LUBE THE CABLE !!! It'll work perfectly and you won't need to use one of those ridiculous add on cable ends.
Why do you not have the flexible outer conduit for the throttle cable? Runs from the throttle tube end at the floor pan, beside the gearbox and slips over the end on the tube through the fan housing. With that fitted, most of the problems would be gone.
Good tips Mike i even will put a flare on the ends of the tube you do not need much it help me with alignment changes or issues. What about the clutch cable any tips with it ??
Take a AH block(or the like) corroded around the Sump, fix with JB weld, then rebuild and run it.. lol with viewer disclaimer.. build at your own risk. hahaha
Nice video, has anyone else ever wondered why VW calls a throttle wire a cable? I usually break them right by the carb about every 16 years. ( Probably from pulling the engine in and out and fatigue)
Can you show a close up of what the connection between the throttle cable and pedal is supposed to look like. Maybe on an old pedal that is out of car. Its hard to see. I have a 63. I cant tell if my cable is about to fall off the pedal or it is on correctly. love your advice thanks learned a lot..
I noticed on my 63 beetle that my clutch arm that is at the side of the transmission seems to be falling off the post sticking out of the trans. I tapped it with a hammer and it is 1/2 on now. Should i keep hitting it with a hammer to put it all the way on or is there a tool that pulls it on? Once its on, is there some kind of a snap ring or set screw that holds it in place? the part im talking about is at 5:38 of this video. You have the best videos by the way. Im new but i have learned a lot with your videos thanks
Thought Bicycles have been using Micro Teflon coated Titanium cables for their brakes, they don't stretch, and rarely wear unless there is a significant issue. Couldn't one be adapted over to beetles? That in conjunction with your recommendations it shouldn't ever break.
I have a 1960 bug and accelerator cable hangs up. The boot over the spring catches on the spring and flexes, causing the engine to race. Is the spring worn out? I'd like Herbie to ride again!! :)) My 60 bug has been restored to look like Herbie the Love Bug!
I have a 98 VW Beetle. Well, she will turn over when I start her and ill get one rev off my gas pedal, and the next attempt at giving gas fails, theres like no pressure suddenly in the pedal and my car quickly dies after that. Upon inspection my battery is fully charged and all the fuses are in working order. But i found a frayed nylon tube that looks like apart of the accelerator and the throttle body , I have know idea what its called but i can see where it came from but not sure where the other side goes, it appears to go behind the engine.. ugh, i have been searching the net for any ideas and schematics of my cars tubes and cables, etc. I really could use some advice, thanks.
Hi! Im assuming the engine has to be out to put a hose clamp on the tube, behind the fan shroud? My tube does keep poking out and my accelerator cable/ has pedal is getting stuck. I’m wondering if this is the issue or does the spring on a cheaper carb malfunction and keep carb open? Any advice would be great. Thanks for the helpful video
Hey Mike, I have a 40 horse and my metal tube goes through the fan shroud, but will not go through the hole in the front tin. The tube sits way too high up, no matter which way I twist it.
I also recommend a tube roller assy attached to the fan housing, right before the carb. Helps with chaffing and smoother glide of cable. www.jbevw.com/products
