How to tear down a Volkswagen air-cooled motor

[@borna430]

wow, excellent. VW community needs guys like you

[@charlesmartin7347]

Please make another video you really made this one so simple. It made this 53 year old man brave enough to fix my own.

[@stevenrubio5462]

They should never be loose at all. The loose ones are normal. The ones that are tight are your problem. Matter of fact I bet you had low compression on those cylinders that have the rings compressed. They should be loose so you can adjust them and when you compress them with a ring compressor they make a tight seal in the cylinder making good compression.

[@klasostrom3697]

Steven Rubi3

[@jacobusjohannes3935]

Thank you very much for the strip down video. It really helped me with the strip down I needed to do on my VW as I had a oil leak... you should think about doing one where you include the split of the entire unit and the replacement of the center gasket.. thanks

[@communique15]

The last few rebuilds I did, I bought new/remanufactured jugs, with pistons, and remanufactured heads, with valves already installed. That way I didn’t have to hassle with trying to find hidden cracks, etc. You still have to deal with the case and crank, but once that’s done you just replace the jugs and heads and you’re out of it. It’s all about the hassle factor. Quick and easy!

[@zonoscopePictures]

Mind if I ask where you sourced your parts for the rebuild? I'm about to go down this road and am looking for info. Thanks!

[@gretahovland6729]

A tripod will do wonders for your' videos which are already quite good. Thank you for your work!

[@TheMrCroup]

Several issues with that engine. Most important, the cylinder heads are in backwards. The arrows should be pointing to the front of the engine, that would be the flywheel side. Least important, the baffle under the generator/alt stand is incorrectly installed. It should be installed with the flat side up, and curve towards the distributor so as to look like backwards D's when you are behind the engine. Any other way will cause it catch oil and send it up towards the filler. This can cause you to loose oil out the breather tube. The rings that you think are stretched are actually just fine. They are compressed in by the cylinder wall, creating a seal.

[@arjuna00]

Thanks for this important info. The arrows, totally ignored it. Well I'll do it again.

[@scdevon]

17:45 Man, that #3 piston skirt is smoked and the rings are locked into the grooves. It's normal for the rings to stick out of the grooves like on #4 when they aren't compressed. They are not "stretched out". You want the rings to expand like that. Are you sure your problem wasn't with #3 cylinder?

[@patrickmclaughlin6013]

#3 for sure, and #1 what they call in the junkyard business NFG and, there is nothing simple about an air cooled Volkswagen

[@HiTechDiver]

Also look at the wear pattern of the pistons (#1, and especially #3) with the tight rings; not looking good, to me anyway.

[@Zairn12345]

My 75 year old father used to use the term NFG, RIP dad. Been a long time since I’ve heard or seen that term written down :)

[@MrGuitarfool]

In High School back in the late 60s we use to replace the oil seals a lot and would pull the engine in about 20 after doing it a few times ! Some guys put corvair engines in theirs or Porshe Engines ! thanks for your videos

[@mikeward2980]

Yes do a rebuild on the vw bug video. So far you have explained more thing's that has happened to you and it helped me in so many ways. First you gave me confidence to tear down my own engine. And that alone is a plus I've paid out thousand of dollar's relying on shady mechanics. And your one video has explained so much . Just replacing my 1600 pistons to a 1641 cost me 2700 and he asked me to come back. I digress. I thank God for people like yourself making these very informative videos. Thank you and God bless you and your Family.

[@davidsteinborn1554]

What was the reason why you took off the alternator stand ? Also the engine holds 3 quarts . Rings should be loose that why you need to compress the rings to put on the jugs.

[@henryostman5740]

had one a long time ago, I think the oil capacity was like 2.5 qts so if your only putting in 1.5 you gonna have trouble, especially if you run it in a hot place like Texas. This one is 'souped up' with that Weber and the electronic ign., problem is no increase in the oil flow that is important for cooling (half the cooling comes from oil), there are high capacity oil pumps, some with built in oil filters, also adjust the relief valve to get oil pressure up to about 60 psi running, it's about 40 stock, the filter will add another half qt. and dissipate more of the heat, an external cooler will do even more. A big deal on these engines is keeping the revs up, tall gearing on the top gears (3rd & 4th) will allow you to drop below 2000 rpms so if you are below 45 you need to shift down to 3rd and if you're in the 20s you should be in second, don't lug the engine. these engines have a cast crank, there are aftermarket cranks made of forged steel, much better. You can also get a spring center clutch disk and a frictionless throwout bearing that will make your clutch last longer (and be a LOT smoother), I don't know what to do about the clutch cable (carry a spare). Switch to a AGM battery and the tray won't rust out. VWs weren't super reliable even when new but they were easy to fix and the parts weren't too expensive back in the day, that what gave them their reputation. A three year old buick with a bad tranny was a candidate for the wrecker, a VW needed a clutch, chump change.

[@littleconc5615]

I just learnt more from this than at at school this week!

[@NeverwaY]

Thanks for the video... and everything.

[@juansoto2338]

Yes do a rebuild video and thank you for sharing your experience

[@richardcoltman6313]

yes! make a rebuild video please? have only stripped down an engine on my 1960 morris minor!

[@TerryMahoney]

I am trying to trade my conversion van for a Volkswagen right now. Watching this video gives me faith in myself because you make it seem so easy. I’m sure it will be a little more difficult. But great video really cool and I’d love to see you put it that together

[@monkeyfinger7949]

My two cents here is that you discussed having more problems, and more often than one would expect. Based on the type of problems described, I would look at carb jetting (and overheating) as a possible issue. In addition, although I have never run this type of carb set up (one weber on a dual port manifold), I am going to say that I would expect this type of carb/manifold design to have poor fuel distribution and low intake air speed. This situation makes getting the jetting right even more important. That includes emulsion tubes, main jets and air bleeders. I don't know too many people who can get all those factors right on a dual carb setup, much less this single weber carb manifold. We can't assume that the shop that sold us the carb got the jetting right for this particular motor - and we have to tune it ourselves.

[@stephengomes977]

Nice straightforward video, and difficult to do with one person holding camera and working at the same time - not easy to do!

[@danielbates3339]

Yes plz do a rebuild video! Great job

[@mickvonbornemann3824]

Gez with those 2 inlet manifolds that bend down from the horizontal, it looks like you could save some room with a set of twin SUs.

[@ACCTeleman]

I can not believe it. I also have a dune buggy with a 1600 cc motor in it that needs rebuilt. Your my niber one resource for the ranch . consider me a monthly contributor now :)

[@CliffordRice]

Thank you

[@LuisPerez-mj3by]

God bless those kids

[@michaelbouley2294]

Number 4 on my bug was bad. The motor was locked up and I had to use a 4 pound sledge hammer to get the cylinder off.

[@secondlooksformen3836]

Mr. Bailey. My 1600 motor is seized like yours. How did you know #4 was bad? I guess you ruined the head banging it to get it off. Were you planning on getting new heads anyway? Did you put on new jugs and rings, I'm sure. Did you open the case? Did your motor turn over after your repairs...and run well? Thank you for your time!

[@mjtovarp]

Please go to the next vídeo. Very informative and well done. I just bought a Karman Ghia and I am iniciating its restoration. Father, son and grandson proyect. 3 Mauro Tovar

[@Nathriel]

Man, what a story behind those exhaust pipes!

[@ralphramos8145]

Yes would like to see a rebuild video. Working on a 69 Vw bus

[@thisdudeisnotin]

I would like to see a rebuild video.

[@rickmartin7062]

Me too I would not let this guy take anything apart unless it was going to the scrap yard people really should not upload a video without editing it well he said that was the first engine he worked on a long time ago...let that sink in 😂😂😂

[@richardcoltman6313]

yes! a rebuild video please! and happy new year from england 2021!

[@bongtaokekjoong3970]

This is a cool video to watch, got a question, do these engine have the engine mount on them , cuz my 74 superbeetle i just bought , the enfine shake alot, please reply..😢

[@christopherhorgan1361]

i thought the arrows on the pistons were ment to point to the flywheel ?

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Yup pointed to the flywheel is correct

[@mustanggarland24]

Awesome video dude! Fixing to tear down my Beatle motor never didn't before so fingers crossed lol

[@sidvis7235]

Your piston rings should be expanded like the ones on cyl 4, not like the ones on cyl 3. They also should move freely in the piston gooves. I suspect the rings on # are jammed and need to be freed up. Also, when you removed the head I noticed a black spot indicating cylinder head blow by, meaning your piston isn't sealin at the head.

[@richg491]

You know if you take the 10mm bolt off the back of the dist clamp with out loosening the clamp bolt in front you can take the disturber out with out changing the timing.

[@azmike3572]

A "disturber"?

[@secondlooksformen3836]

Good tip. Who cares about a typo?

[@marcus6470]

Good video. What’s the part number on the coil and....ect to convert to the setup that you have?

[@kennethjayne6300]

This video will be very useful for me, Thanks!

[@shannonwittman950]

Did you experience much difficulty properly jetting that 2bb carb? I've read that its important to not go too lean ... because the heads use a rich air/fuel mix to cool the heads. And what did the 2bbl do to your gas mlieage? Less than 20mpg? Great videos, by the way. I hope you get a rolling tripod so you free up your other hand to more easily do your work. Hope you do more air-cooled VW videos.

[@TheStanman99]

Great video 🇬🇧

[@ACCTeleman]

Yes I would def like to see the rebuild video

[@CliffordRice]

Hopefully i'll be getting back to this project soon. I already know i'm going have to order pistons and rings for it.

[@lanterninthedark8926]

Clifford Rice Did you ever get the VW motor rebuilt and reinstalled into the Beetle? Great video on the removal and tear down but I'm not sure if you did a video on putting it back in. Thank you sir.

[@dronejunkee2743]

It's not a motor it's an engine. Anyway great video very informative nice job.

[@richg491]

The rings on 1 and 3 are tight alright that is BAD oil burning and exhaust blowing by. luckily it is a simple fix. remove and replace.

[@kingsleysimon8945]

yup, the one you say is faulty, is just fine...the other thats sticking in the piston groove is bad..

[@stevenroth3693]

Your baffle is actually a hear exchanger

[@barryray8915]

I gust bought A 1972 Beetle rail bug street legal the motor runs but no power and back fires i watch your film on how to Take of l think I can do if I chip to you will you take a part replace the parts and put a new card on it that is more reliable and will give more power and then I will keep watching and be able to work on it and keep running my self and a estimate on the rebuild

[@thestove2407]

Your comment makes zero sense !! I have no idea .. what your on about.

[@seanfrane4358]

Thanks for the Video!

[@tayaellison9014]

Oh hey. Do you have two beetle magnets from rockauto?? (Filing cabinet)

[@Daveyk021]

Did you do a follow-up video showing which pistons were bad? The other comments say the loose rings were the good ones and the tight rings were the bad ones?? I know this was two years ago, but I want to know if you were able to fix it, and if so, what was the problem. I'm not sure you ever really explained the problem. Also, how are you only getting 200 miles between engine repairs?

[@lpz3665]

Rings seized in grooves.. the one with loose rings are correct.

[@rudyespiritu9528]

Good show, keep going

[@paulwillisorg]

Great video. Thanks

[@ashleyc8303]

Nice video, I'm thinking of buy a vw super beetle but it has issues and that's why it's super cheap so was hearing people say they are easy to do things your self. The only issue is that it loses power and it might be the same issue your having have you ever made part 2?

[@CliffordRice]

Well i did split the case, but didn't film it. Found out the cam bearing are trashed. so i'm thinking of rebuilding the motor. Mostly likely i'll be putting this car up for sale after its running, to make room for the duster.

[@georgeholbein5830]

Wow, those loose rings Were bad, the tight ones good...hahaha I love this guy

[@trevcessna1723]

What noise was your engine making when you last ran it, was it a loud rattle when reved up? My engine is making that noise and I suspect from over heating. I have no thermostat, I just bought car, had rebuild 1000k ago.

[@CliffordRice]

+Trev Cessna172 it's lost power and started smoking....almost locked up.

[@trevcessna1723]

Thanks Clifford!

[@tayaellison9014]

Sounds like rod knock.

[@michaelwoods1037]

Great

[@stevenrubio5462]

Those are not baffles. They are called heat exchangers

[@danielbourdon3614]

Yes

[@keeganholthaus7143]

could someone help me out? I split the block by prying open with a screw driver and apparently you're not supposed to do that. Is my case fucked?

[@aaronsanford6824]

They hold 2.5 qts

[@rickmartin7062]

Actually 2.8 3 quarts will not over fill it

[@JeanSebastienDery]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CliffordRice]

Your Welcome

[@minhhainguyen8841]

Wooaa 👍👍👏👏👍👍🇻🇳 Thanks

[@hoberteledge5277]

How to split the case

[@VolksStokes]

Oui! Yes! Da!

[@timmason4136]

The pistons with thr loose rings are normal. the two back pistons are badlyscored and have seized up the rings and I'll bet you have lost compression in those bac two cylinders. You should have take a compression test and that would have told you where to look for your problem

[@gargar209]

And everything.

[@NevadaNorcal]

And everything

[@LuisPerez-mj3by]

3:06

[@SchweinDuHund]

17:47 Am I really the only one that gets the joke?

[@travischambers95]

Rebuild video!!

[@tegarthbishop34]

Rebuild video pleass

[@MsJinkerson]

1 bug had a petrol heater my grand father had 1

[@TheDesertwalker]

Great video but: 1) Exhaust pipe should not have made engine blow up. 2) A Field Day is a good thing....unless you were being sarcastic, which I missed.

[@Bugdriver49]

Did you say it only holds a quart....quart and a half?? You just invalidated anything else you might say.....

[@secondlooksformen3836]

I agree. He is trying to be helpful but is not astute enough on his VW mechanics to give the vest advice. Just my opinion.

[@scdevon]

@@secondlooksformen3836 He doesn't even recognize that #3 cylinder and piston is WIPED OUT and thinks it's normal for the piston rings to be welded over.

[@rbruner100]

This video is called how to tear down... not how to diagnose. If you don’t like it move onto the next video. I love how people point out others mistakes to distract from there own shortcomings

[@thestove2407]

Just like you ?

[@davidsferrazzo]

What happened to the build??

[@CliffordRice]

other things have been keeping me busy

[@fivedotsdave9723]

You only dismantled half of the engine.....

[@joker2668]

An errythang

[@MsJinkerson]

some rings need compressing

[@roymcdaniel596]

You talk toooo much.