Top 5 Reasons Your Air-Cooled Engine is Overheating! Volkswagen BUG | JW Classic VW

[@JWClassicVW]

Be Sure to *LIKE, SHARE, & SUBSCRIBE* Thank you for all the support!!!

[@JWClassicVW]

Thanks all

[@autodidact537]

@@JWClassicVW If air-cooled VW engines run hotter than liquid-cooled engines wouldn't it make sense to use synthetic oil since synthetic oil can take more heat before it breaks down? And because synthetic oil is more stable at higher temperatures the engine would run better & last longer. I just don't understand why you wouldn't choose oil that is more suitable for the higher operating temperature of air-cooled VW engines.

[@VanaConn]

A 3-5 quart oil sump will help keep it cool too.

[@JWClassicVW]

Great point!

[@jp6940]

Very well said. A lot of good info here. Good job man.

[@JWClassicVW]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mikefngarage]

High octane is a must. Here is why. THe increase in temp from the air cooled engine created higher combustion pressure. So even if you have low compression the pressure is high like a high compression engine. Water cooled engines are overheating at 250-260 air cooled engines run at mostly at least 260-300. I am running a bit less because of mods.

[@JWClassicVW]

I always run the best gas... would much rather have a cooler running engine.

[@WizardSoon]

Your idling sounded pretty high~

[@mikesveedubobsession8286]

Thanks for showing us your town.... and tips!

[@JWClassicVW]

My pleasure!!

[@jamieburns8327]

Thank you

[@JWClassicVW]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidharrell8890]

Nice to see Houston again. Haven’t been there in 3.5 years. Nice beetle.😃

[@JWClassicVW]

Welcome back! lol glad you enjoyed the video.

[@ErajPeiris]

Hi I'm from Sri Lanka I owned aBeetle for 23 yes and ran on DS40 engine oil for nearly 15yrs and did not have any problem I had to change from 30 due to over heating what do u thinks I enjoy ur explanations bye

[@medsimvallejo]

Loved this video... LOTS of great information and ideas. Thanks!!!

[@JWClassicVW]

Awesome!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kitfoxjunky]

Thanks for the video. Found it useful.

[@JWClassicVW]

You're welcome!

[@MarkAnderson-vg5vq]

Great video and lots of good advice . Thank You

[@JWClassicVW]

Thanks Mark, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jwhrivnak]

Great job Jason

[@JWClassicVW]

Thanks brother!! Glad you liked it!

[@philmoorehouse8064]

What about the thermostat for the cooling fins?

[@JWClassicVW]

This aftermarket shroud has no fins or thermostat.

[@VWJawbreaker]

Little more food for thought. As for oil viscosity, too thick can increase oil pressure too much and the dual relief case will bypass the oil cooler to prevent blowing the cooler. Also you are correct, a lean engine will run hotter.... a too rich of an engine will also run hot due to the excess fuel washing the oil off of the cylinders. Good topic and good tips.

[@JWClassicVW]

Good info brother, as with all things its about finding that balance. Ever single engine seems to need something a little different. Especially when we start modify these babies, I think that is truly why we so many different ways to fix issues that we run across.

[@privateprivate1865]

Proper oil grade per season . All the original cooling tins. Fresh oil,.. thats all i can think of.. and proper tire pressure, and greased bearings, and brake drag

[@JWClassicVW]

So many things that I see sooooooo many people missing. Just normal routine maintenance requirements.

[@redsuncivic]

What do you think of the dip sticks that make your oil light come on if hot?

[@JWClassicVW]

Really can't say brother, never used one, but Berg has an article on them and has produced them as well. So if Berg is down with them then they gotta be worth a shot! www.geneberg.com/article.php?ArticleID=242

[@terryfleming7084]

This is more inline with your last video. I would like to know the oil temp into and out of the remote oil cooler.

[@JWClassicVW]

That sir would be difficult to provide... i could probably do surface temps at the fittings.

[@fakhroo5]

Love this video. Kingdom of Bahrain.

[@JWClassicVW]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@deanossmoothierings314]

What’s a good area on the head to get a temp reading with an IR thermometer? Thanks. Great vid!

[@JWClassicVW]

I normally try to hit multiple areas of head near the exhaust valves on either side. This way I know if a certain cylinder is running hotter. Good way to head of issues with a cylinder.

[@MrGarcon98]

nice ,,,, here in florida in the peak of summer with no cool air at all i sometimes wonder how they keep running ? but they do , you cant even touch the oil stick , i took a infrared thermal gun i used in hvac and i got 138 on the top of the tin right above the cylinders ,,,its the only tin on this barien buggy they are all the same , and its stock at my age i am done with braking things i just wanna ride with my wife and i am happy with that,,,,she is 72 and i 67. i pretty much pay more attention since we dont have a temp gauge at IF i feel i am losing power then its probably brake time pull over and rest a bit

[@JWClassicVW]

Yes, I've always found that it's important to feel how the car is running. Gauges are nice for confirmation but you'll smell, hear or feel a problem normally before a gauge tells you the story.

[@briansteinc]

Great video.

[@JWClassicVW]

Thanks so much 🙏 glad your enjoying the channel!

[@linwoodvleegmailcom]

btw i saw SLICK 50 additive , lower engine temps in air cooled 5hp motor 175 deg less .

[@brianchisnell1548]

Stock engines seldom ever run hot. German engineering!

[@JWClassicVW]

That is true... but with more HP comes more heat!

[@DasLuftVolks]

SP and DP 1600 engines in the early 70s had 38-40* total timing at 3800rpm. For primitive ignitions with mechanical advance only 28* total is fine. The 12* vacuum advance is where you gain the most mpg if jetted correctly

[@JWClassicVW]

That cruising 😎 speed Tony!!! Great info man!! Love it!

[@ggolds5]

Thanks for all the great info. We just purchased (from Houston TX), a 76 Baywindow Automatic with working air conditioning. The previous owner was a VW mechanic. He put a 78 motor in it that has hydraulic lifters. I'm in Connecticut. Should we put one of those new cooling fans in place of the factory one, or leave it all alone?. Should I avoid adding an additional oil cooler ?. The mechanic going through the Bus now thinks adding an aftermarket oil cooler is never a good idea. I'm fixated on the engine running cool. Other then what you already discussed do you think I should leave things as they are?. Thanks for your help.

[@JWClassicVW]

This is a great question and it's often not explained very well. I think I'll cover this in my next video as I get questions a lot around this subject. So the problem with external oil coolers is it can take your VW engine more time to reach operating temperature. This range is important to know and Mark Laken has a great way of looking at this. 60 floor it! 180 ideal 200 is nothing 220 start watching and adjusting your driving style, ease up a bit 240 get concerned but keep driving (gently) 260 now your in the ugh-oh range...take evasive cooling measures! 280 you should have considerable loss of compression and a bad feeling in your gut 300 expect some engine damage... Reference: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93433 You want to be at operating temperature I'd say 175 - 220... to cold or to hot and damage can occur. With the external oil cooler where I live in Houston TX I reach operating temp pretty quick so I'm not to concerned. Ideally what you would want is an external oil thermostat installed with your external oil cooler. This would allow your engine to bypass the oil cooler until the engine reaches the correct temperature (the temp set by the thermostat spring). If your set up is stock with no real modifications then the stock cooling system should be fine. I'd just pay attention to your temps as many things effect engine temp as discussed in the video. An external oil cooler isn't really a fix for a poorly cooling VW, it's more of an upgrade if done correctly when used with an external oil filter. There is now external oil filter housing that incorporate the oil thermostat but these are pricey. This is the one I've been looking at but there are others. www.improvedracing.com/remote-engine-transmission-oil-filter-mount-with-thermostat-env-171.html Hope this helps! Jason

[@ggolds5]

@@JWClassicVW Thank you Jason for the informative reply. Like I was saying, I fixate on the cool running engine. Or should I just say an engine that doesn't run too hot. The engine was done by the owner of the bus in Texas who was a VW mechanic for 35 years. It seems to run well, but I haven't taken her out for any long drives. 1 hour at a time mostly. We just got the bus a month or so ago and I just want to feel good about us taking her out for a drive with no worries. Not that there are any real concerns at this point but its being gone through now by a VW mechanic now. Thanks again!!.

[@gustavopadilla9176]

Spark plugs (hot or cold)? Wich oil have zinc?

[@JWClassicVW]

Hey brother, spark plug choice really depends on the engine you are running and well preference. I've ran both a hot and a cold plug from NGK and thought the hotter plug seemed to burn cleaner so I stuck with it. As for oil like I said VR1 has zinc and I run it.

[@aldrianjalemasa2046]

I having a problem with mine it was having a excessive heating in the exhaust the one that I had was has only one tip exhaust

[@JWClassicVW]

Like I responded brother... so many things can cause overheating. Start with the basics.

[@georgelambesis5461]

I have a 2027 engine. #3 head ru ns at 350-380 degrees. Is that to hot. The other 1,3,4 run ar 285-310 degrees. Same jetting, timing,valves ok. Thanx. Like your program. George

[@JWClassicVW]

Nothing wrong with that temp, I would check my compression on all cylinders as well to confirm my rings are good to go. Just an idea but that temp isn't that bad.

[@peterzinia3767]

But it's only 2024! Do you have a time machine? If so shoot me some stock tips please. REVOLUTION!!

[@jamesschramm4739]

The fuel in the fuel filter has been seen to bubble, is this strictly because of engine heat. I just moved it out of the engine compartment , good or bad ?????

[@JWClassicVW]

Good to move the fuel filter out of the engine bay is always good. I don't think your fuel was boiling though... more likely air in the line/system. May have a fuel pump going out where the internal diagram is pushing air.

[@campervanbug7658]

Rejet for running e85

[@campervanbug7658]

Is running t1 Rotella 30 weight evil?

[@JWClassicVW]

Lol... never used it but I've heard it works fine.

[@JWClassicVW]

Never ran e85 with my dual carb setup... with my EFI Turbo there is no rejetting required. Of course 😁

[@campervanbug7658]

@JWClassicVW as a good doctor I suggest to immediately, check your plugs after 10 miles to be safe

[@privateprivate1865]

Sae 30 .. its all i used

[@JWClassicVW]

Yes sir... that is the stock standard many folks use.