Since changing the clutch on my '69, when I shift into reverse or low, the clutch disengages or engages with a bang that shakes the car. Its fine in all other gears. The adjustment on the control valve doesn't change the crashing. I tried another complete control valve with no luck. Any ideas?
thks, Mike69AutoStick
Check your hoses for leaks. Also, did you adjust the clutch freeplay at the servo?
We just fixed my buddies Ghia that did much the same thing. Old leaky hose was the problem.
Also try switching the vacuum hoses at the carb. It makes a difference which one is connected to the control valve.
My Beetle really bangs into gear when I release the gear lever...
I'm using a WEBER Carburetor that was designed for beetles...
It MUST have too much vacuum.... there is only the one vacuum pipe coming from the carburetor... I have a nail in the hose to try to help slow the vacuum down.... still NOT working too well....
I ran out of adjustment with My clutch.... I had taken the clutch arm off and put it back in the incorrect position....
It used to crunch going into reverse all the time..... so I unscrewed one end of the adjustment turnbuckle... cut 1/4 inch of the thread off....
tidied up the thread... and screwed it back in....
before.. the two turnbuckle adjusting pieces were touching in the center
so I had no adjustment....
For You to adjust yours just loosen the nut on one end and screw the turnbuckle about one full turn... then check... if still crunching...
turn the turnbuckle one more full turn and check for crunching in reverse..
I hope this helps You.... any questions... just ask...
Lee Noonan 68AutoBug Australia
http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug
Thanks to everyone who replied. I changed the carb with a stock replacement about the same time I changed the clutch. The new carb has 2 unused vacuum connections so I tried switching the small hose. The 1st 1 didn't work but the 2nd cured the banging into 1st and reverse! Its now amazingly smooth into all gears! BUT now there's a long delay when I shift.. I'm hoping the adjustment screw on the control valve will resolve this tomorrow when I'm back at my tune-up. If not I'll put the hose back on the original connection and try restricting it to reduce the vacuum. thks Mike :D
Hiya Mike,
A word of unasked-for advice.................don't switch the vacuum hose back to the original port. That port draws its vacuum from below the butterfly. The control valve was designed to operate on a vacuum signal from above the butterfly (the way you have it hooked up now).
The problem of slow shifting is one which can (and should) be rectified at the control valve. A suggestion......pull the little plastic cap off the top of the control valve to get at the adjusting screw. Turn the screw counter-clockwise a half (180 degrees) turn. Get in and try shifting. It will get "snappier" as you go on with this routine. When you start getting close to a shift which feels good to you (VW says the shift should take 1 second) decrease the counter-clockwise turn to one fourth (90 degrees). That way you can home in on the "right spot".
I know I'm saying this last, but even before you do the control valve adjusting above be sure your idle speed (about 900 rpms) is correct. That can have a big effect on the entire process.
Let us know how you do!
Mike
1970 AS Bug
So here's what I've found after playing with the the control valve adjustment -- it does change the speed of engagement, but it doesn't do anything to reduce the crashing into reverse or low. Before I could move on to trying an adjustment at the servo / clutch arm, a sparkplug blew out. The plug now won't tighten enough to stay in place. I'm hoping the engine doesn't have to come out to fix the &^%! thread. I've decided to ignore it for a few days .
javascript:emoticon(':evil:')
Evil or Very Mad
Got any sparkplug thread tips?
thks Mike
Helicoil should fix it. It's best to pull the motor to install it. Most VW shops should carry them.
My bug seems to "crash" into gear when put into either low or reverse too. I don't see it as a big problem. On my car the carburator is bad so ill be lucky to get it to idle at the correct speed to go into gear. Until I get a new carburator on and tuned I cant figure out why it is doing that.
Hiya Guys,
For all of you who are experiencing a "crash" when you shift into range from a dead stop (typically into reverse or low) the problem almost certainly lies in your vacuum hookup. It can be fixed!
Take a look at your control valve. Now trace the small vacuum hose (the one that originates at the front (remember front is front) of the control valve and runs over to the carburetor. When you get to the carburetor that hose should be connected to a vacuum port which draws its vacuum from ABOVE the butterfly. Be CAREFUL! Just because the port is located above the butterfly does NOT mean the vacuum source is above the butterfly. Take a very careful look at the carburetor body and be absolutely sure of where the vacuum in the port is coming from. I'm betting that you are now hooked up to a vacuum port drawing its vacuum from below the butterfly. That is a VERY strong vacuum signal and it will cause the control valve to actuate suddenly and sharply (in fact so sudden and strong that adjusting the control valve will have little effect on the action). If you are in doubt about the source of the vacuum for a given port, try hooking up your small vacuum hose to a different port and check for results.
I'd just about guarantee that you will see a difference in your shifting action.
Mike
1970 AS Bug