Classic VW BuGs How to Remove Kill Ethanol and Save your Beetle Air-Cooled Motor

[@gutshotgriz3936]

Just watched a related video and learned that if you buy ethenol-free gas from anything other than a stand-alone pump, the first 1/3rd to 1 gallon you pump is fuel remaining in the fuel hose, which is whatever the last customer purchased. Lesson - get your ethenol-free gas from a stand-alone pump OR pump the first gallon into a small gas can, then go ahead and fill up your VeeWee.

[@nephilymbass1]

I recently had a lawnmower die after only a couple months. Started using premium on the new one and no problems so far. Gonna give this product a shot on my 1600 I'm betting that's why it started running hot.

[@charger19691]

I am sold on Startron. I've been using it for about 7 years now and I don't have ethanol problems anymore. GREAT STUFF!!!

[@teleinko]

I tried this. UNREAL performance improvement in 1/4 tank. Thank you sooooooo much Chris. 1966 bug.....

[@thinairk2]

Chris, I bought this Startron and it made a world of difference. My bug used to jerk a little when maintaining a speed, now it runs so smooth. It's like a tune up in a bottle! Thanks for the advice. Kevin

[@Bugmason]

Thank you so very much i just learned yesterday about the fuel filter placement and watch how you did the two filters, still wondering if you are doing the two filters?

[@aztr0zombie]

Chris, I had the same problem with my classic Triumph motorcycle (1965).. I used a similar product as you recommend and it definitely ran cooler. Good advice man, thanks for the videos, take care.

[@MauricioMaldonado]

Miraculous elixir, Chris! This is the best liquid to happen to man, since the invention of beer. My '68 bug had been running like crap for a long time. I blamed it on the fuel pump and carb. The culprit had been the gas all along. On first application, my car started running like an 8-cylinder sports car. I kid you not. I believe, I believe, thank God almighty, I believe!

[@olievonbruhl8096]

This makes sense. Seemed to be running TOO hot in the summer. I’ll be looking for it. There are some stations around who supply 100% gas, but it’s 50-90¢ higher. This should pay for itself.

[@IDAce1]

Chris, I was able to find this product at my local Walmart in the marine section. I am in the same boat as you. It is over an hour drive for ethanol free fuel so I am going to try this out. Thanks for the heads up!

[@larrywoodruff7530]

Non ethinal gas is available at several locations in my area, it's not cheap but I put it in all my carberated engines plus startron is added when they go into storage, old car hobby is becoming more expensive every day, gov't wants these vehicles in the scrap yard, but then, we all know that.

[@FallenSeas]

Just bought a 69 vw beetle. I'm in love with it

[@manningcustom]

would this be a good thing for a 74 ghia 1600 dual carb?

[@dart451kad]

Wow, a lot of negative comments here...wonder where some of these people come from? You know, I've been around for 70 years, never remember gasoline going bad like it does now! I work on lawnmowers and the ethanol gas simply turns to gunk after a short period of time! Smells like turpentine after sitting for a year or so. I will certainly try the Startron product in my 72 SB. I guess you have to have lived long enough to see what a big mistake Ethanol has become!

[@azmike3572]

Related to this, since modern fuels lack lead that was put in to cushion valves, is it necessary to have beetle valves changed over to the hardened variety? (This was also a talked-about issue with pre-unleaded gas Harley engines.)

[@michaelo1492]

First I'm from IOWA, we grow so much corn that YOU couldn't eat it all, so what do we do, we decide to add it to gasoline. FACT: If the government wasn't subsidizing the whole idea it would not even be on the market, too expensive to produce with out Uncle Sam's help. Remember we still PAY FARMERS NOT TO PLANT CROPS... So all I can say is...eat more corn.... keep the videos coming Chris...

[@swmiller944]

Wal-Mart sells this stuff if you can't find it anywhere else, it's usually in the marine section if they have one there. I use it in my bike when I cant' get e-free, good stuff.

[@kingmanstudent]

I don't know the tech details but it does hurt both older vehicles I drive. My '67 Beetle is having issues with the new fuel. My '77 Dodge Power Wagon has had the same issues as well. Even 12 years ago, I was warned when driving my truck to Los Angeles the last time to not fill up completely with the California gas. At that time, they were using a lot more ethanol than Arizona. Now both vehicles have been running hot and I have looked at everything but the fuel. I am going to try this.

[@ysrfreak87]

Thanks for the tip Chris I'm going to pick some up. I race go carts and we have been having a problem with our motors running hot. Ghana so very much.

[@kingmanstudent]

I did do some research about this. Ethanol does remove deposits and other solids. This is fine for a new engine but on a car that has ran for twenty years without it, imagine all the gunk that is now being dissolved and making its way through the system to clog up filters, etc. I would not be surprised about eating the fuel lines and other internal parts.

[@BennyMaxJPN]

Same thing in Australia!! Now living in Japan. Not sure on the fuel here though. Still see many old Aircoolers around here though! Great videos! Thankyou!

[@Mercmad]

To anyone watching this after 2019, the Citroen 2CV guys,who only have two cylinder engines have gotten right around the ethanol problem by fitting a bigger main jet . A beetle would benefit from the same thing I am sure.

[@capitansandro228]

Luckily in our area we are seeing more and more vendors with ethanol-free gas. You pay a bit of a premium ($3 vs $2/gal). I am a experimental/pilot as well and have friends (pilots) who own older VW's and use straight av-gas (100LL). Not sure about that, but it is also ethanol free by law. So if you have a small local airport you can get 100LL there cheap these days ($3/gal).

[@VolksStokes]

Thanks Chris, I just got this exact blue bottle from LOWE's - Nanuet.. for $ 7.49... putting 2 oz in the tank... lets see....

[@ANDRE-VW]

Hello Chris, I'm from Brazil and here we have 27.5% of ethanol in our gasoline, and, worst thing is: we don't have any option of free ethanol gas. They (government) don't care if you have a classic car. Some guys here complains about the gasoline quality but people says: I don't care, put this gas and I drive with any problems. It is impossible to haven't problems with the water, gum formed, corrosion, need of a different adjustment to compensate the amount of ethanol. So, our gasoline is piece of shit here. The only option is to use the premium quality gasoline, with high octane and a little less ethanol content (about 25%). But the price is very, very high.

[@RonnieReaper13]

Mississippi has plenty Ethanol free gas available thankfully but good stuff if I'm traveling.

[@classicvwbugs]

All you have to do to bleed the master is loosen the fittings and see when all the air bubbles come out. Get a 2nd person in the car to just hold the pedal down.

[@RoachRecords7]

Chris fuck all the haters man I've been watching your videos for a cool minute now and you have helped me a lot! On my 63 bug! Thanx and stay up!

[@GratefulMeds]

always grate tips thanks

[@slammedandshiny]

tip for the ethanol problem; avoid chevron. shell and 76 put less than ten percent ethanol in their tanks and my 1600 runs pretty good at 8.6:1 compression with a 100 engle cam.

[@JimMcCIung]

the instructions say 1 cap is 1/2 gallon fuel

[@amcmahen2]

So....heres what I found. Ethenaol does dissolves some solids. Some were/are components in older vehicles system. Using the additives to remove moisture from fuel in winter is not year round constant use. Ethanol 15% fuel is all the time. The additive Chris recommends removes this potential problem. Personally, I prefer to avoid problems since I do not know what the level of susceptibility my '69 1776cc has..and I prefer to not find out.

[@classicvwbugs]

couldn't say it any better man.

[@Martini7774-t8x]

Here in brazil some old beetles are originally projected to use the ethanol!

[@Mr00934]

i buy straight gas. costs .50+ a gallon more, but, the oldies love it....any carb car loves it

[@countryfella94]

where do you buy straight gas?

[@Mr00934]

wawa chain of gas stations has it. otherwise one must check each station. one exxon station had it here also. wawa has best price

[@classicvwbugs]

exactly! new cars are fine with it, not a 50 year air-cooled motor

[@ameichholz]

Would you suggest this for New Beetles also... or just air-cooled ones?

[@MrMrsregor]

new cars are probably made with ethanol in mind, old cars are not

[@classicvwbugs]

you are right! I want them the hell out of my way, and stay out of my pocket

[@dnlmachine4287]

In Canada, Shell Platinum is one of the only ethanol-free fuels. Petro-Canada Premium gas - its got ethanol. Ethanol, like Chris says - is CRAP. It even damages modern engines and drastically reduces fuel economy. Stay gold.

[@1M1A1N1]

Nice bugs Chris! Ethanol is alcohol and an octane booster. Fuel ratio for gasoline-14.7:1. For straight alcohol-7:1. Alcohol content varies by region and season with higher content during cold months to prevent icing. Alcohol absorbs moisture and is also corrosive. Modern cars have adaptive fuel strategies to handle changing ethanol contents and fuel systems designed for the higher corrosive characteristics. So you are right on. Have you noticed any pinging or do you need to use octane booster?

[@backyardsounds]

If you have the means to do so there is another way. Water! Water and alcohol will mix easily, but of course water does not mix with gasoline. Before adding, see what alcohol content you have in your few gallons (say 5 gallons at 10%) So you have 4.5 gallons of gas and .5 gallons of ethyl/ethanol. Add about .5 gallon of water, agitate and then pour off the gas and measure the remaining water. you should, have 1 gallon to dispose of. It's kind of job but if it's for a classic car you're not driving much and you just want a couple gallons, it can be worth the trouble. Plus, water is pretty much free.

[@vanityrose12]

no man can argue with that logic :)

[@vanityrose12]

man i want an old bug but this seems like so much to learn.....maybe it's just not for me because i want to do is put the key in, turn, and go :/

[@42222]

ethanol is bad for the environment too because of the rain forest being cut down for the monoculture fields...

[@zxtenn]

Chris, someone on line is having brake problems with a 71 beetle, as in barely any brakes, they replaced master cylinder, wheel cylinders, etc. any special way of bleeding the master cylinder on the beetle? I just subscribed to your channel, great to see some old bugs once in a while, my 1st car was a 61 and i had a few after-- expensive toys now thanks

[@unicron24]

So should I use premium or regular fuel? And add the star tron??

[@classicvwbugs]

If you are going to use star tron, go 89, because from what I hear, star tron will drop the octane a bit. But other than that, the 87 is fine to use.

[@unicron24]

+Chris Vallone thanks man..

[@slammedandshiny]

take it apart and clean the float bowls. if they arent dirty, youll likely find the problem while taking the carburetor apart.

[@Riccar_rad420]

hey chris what grade gas should i put in my 1973 vw super beetle ive been using 93

[@RELGraphics]

my fuel gauge not working. I changed the sending unit and still not working. what could be the issue? I have 1966 bug.

[@viva_am839]

Richard Lugo check your wire harness or open and clean the gauge.

[@classicvwbugs]

When gas filled with ethanol sits for a period of time, yes it creates moisture! These older cars were never designed for ethanol dude. They may work fine in cars from today, but not the older cars. This is what happens when gov't gets their hands on stuff.

[@42222]

put a bigger jet in the carb and it will run fine...

[@baritonebynight]

I wish my VW mechanic would have told me about this.

[@kennyporter9145]

have u ever heard of a old Beatle going in to stealth mode and not allowing it to start

[@jonremmers7723]

There are some issues with modern motor fuels and old cars - yes. But adding some funky product to the gasoline aint the solution. Jetting and adjusting carbs properly and adjusting timing is the solution. Hell, I have been driving my 1600tl on E85 fuel for six months with no problems. Thats 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline for you.

[@Specialized1993]

how can ethanol eat metal pipes?? maybe rubber pipes but gas dries out things just as much.

[@sdowney717]

***** they rust if they are steel. The oil pipeline companies refuse to transport ethanol by pipeline as it is very corrosive, must be delivered by SS fuel trucks, ethanol is toxic to rubbers and many metals. Ethanol is damaging to the environment, it uses a lot of fresh water to make. The corn argument food versus fuel, well they feed what is leftover to the cows.

[@josephheston9238]

+SURTO FAK It eats up regular steel hard lines. I know the purists will hate me for this, but I have stainless steel hard lines and neoprene soft lines, and had the carb rebuilt to handle ethanol. That has solved the problem. This is like when lead was phased out, the valve trains suffered. You can't keep a car running and be 100% original at the same time. Something would have to give, and that would be the valve train. The valves, guides, and seats would have to be replaced in order for an older car to run on unleaded. The same thing is happening with ethanol. In order for an older car to run on an ethanol blend, the fuel lines (and maybe the fuel tank) would have to be replaced and carb would have to be rebuilt (and I don't know about fuel injection for the '75-later).

[@frank09busa]

Tafelon "I'm sure I've spelled it wrong " is one of very few things can withstand ethanol. All modern cars with flexfuel logo is just saying their fuel lines are coated with tafelon inside and ecu calibration to manage fuels with ethanol content.

[@michaelo1492]

I forgot to mention my 74 Super Beetle, is baby blue and hates corn.

[@joshuakirkland190]

Why not just use the Ethanol free gas? in florida most gas station have it idk bout other states

[@classicvwbugs]

Joshua Kirkland Because in many territories, like NY, you cannot find ethanol free pumps.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Chris Vallone I'm up in Rochester, and there are two stations within a 15 minute drive of my house that offer ethanol-free gas. They don't really advertise it, but it does seem to still be available.

[@1965ace]

Ethanol- the answer to a problem that creates a bigger problem. (see government)

[@CC_Hunters]

And how do you know it's a bigger problem? which metrics are you using? ooh yeah, none! you are just a drone with political sound bytes and very low reasoning skills.

[@WickedZZzY]

Jose Luis Caceres Because it's inefficient, not environmentally friendly, destructive to old cars, raises food prices, requires subsidies, is difficult to transport, and is more toxic than straight gasoline. Apparently you are the dumbass with no reasoning skills...

[@classicvwbugs]

These are not racing cars man, practically lawn mower engines in them. Never designed for CORN to pass thru it. Pick up Hemmings Classic Car Magazine, there are articles all through there about how ethanol harms older motors. Most of the small lawn mower shops here in my town all swear that ethanol is killing the air-cooled motor. Racing cars? Really? Yeah new tech, new cars are all geared for ethanol.

[@priscillahoyt9773]

Wow ok

[@xoxoXoieoxox]

i beleve there doing this to exstint the classic car b\c there are les regulations on older cars so less money for them so they decided lets systmiticaly destroy any thing with no computer.. no computer=fredom =3-

[@classicvwbugs]

Yeah what was I thinking, Chip Foose doesn't know what he is talking about, neither does Meguire or Dennis Gage. Only the top guys in the industry. What are the names of your guys? All in all, it is just another gov't blunder, waste of time energy and money.

[@classicvwbugs]

Well here is the deal dude, I am talking about one (1) car, the beetle, I can care less about any other car, this is my business, beetles and only beetles. My channel is all beetle and air-cooled cars. Look at my site and see how many of these car I have restored, I know the engine inside and out. Anything more than 10% ethanol and these lil guys do not like it. Sounds like you are looking at a broad spectrum of cars, do you own a beetle? I have not heard you mention that you own one.

[@EXTREME4YEARSTOCOME]

the world nowadays is a horrible place

[@classicvwbugs]

Forever you have been adding ethanol? Growing up in the 80s and 90s, there was no ethanol in our pumps? Sure as hell was not going in the beetle when they were around. What cars are you adding ethanol in?? These are air-cooled motors, one step up from a lawn mower. Those lines in an old beetle are not meant for ethanol, nor any other old car for that matter.

[@zzzdogutube]

Thanks, I don't understand that Ethanol bill. That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. It cost more money to make it than gas, less fuel mileage. Bad for the engines. And it is driving the price of food up. Who is winning with this??

[@jonremmers7723]

Seriously, you need to read up on your stuff. Ethanol adds water to you tank? Bull. In Sweden we actually ADD ethanol to our cars wintertime and have done so forever. Reason is fuel don´t mix with the condensation that forms on the tank wall come cold weather. Alcohol does. Alcohol mixes with gasoline and the tiny droplets of water can be digested by the engine.

[@GTIBully]

No I don't own a Beetle but someday I hope to own one along with some other great VW's. It does not make any difference what kind of gasoline engine you have it will run on ethanol and better if it is a vaporizor like I'm working on. If you are using fuel injection or a regular carb and if you have water in the fuel it will cause issues. Steel gas tanks are more prone to condensation than plastic ones. The fuel itself is not the problem. Many people in Brazil drive older Beetles on alcohol.

[@RNA0ROGER]

Better of just swapping the engine.

[@GTIBully]

Ethanol does not harm engines. So you get all your information from Hemmings and they the authority? Really? My information comes from first hand personal knowledge. I have been running my generator on ethanol for a year now. No problems at all, no cardon build up like stupid gasoline. The Ford model T was the original flex fuel car. Tell me again how ethanol ruins engines?

[@GTIBully]

You are regurgitating establishment propaganda. Get informed about ethanol fuel. The first automobile engines ran on alcohol not gasoline. Look it up man, get educated. Why are race cars using it?