What are these noises?

[CrazedVW]

The '73 Super Beetle Autostick I bought a few weeks ago is making a horrible noise and I'm at a loss as to what it is. I've taken a couple short videos to record the sound so I'm hoping someone here can provide some insight.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8482694499058253910&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8571213070472870259&hl=en

I bought it three weeks ago for fairly cheap from a friend with the understanding that it hadn't been started in a year and would need some work. It didn't make these noises when parked though. The PO had had the car since 1999 and to their knowledge the engine had not been rebuilt and was original to the car. I did however have the car at a shop last week to get them to fix a stripped spark plug hole on the #4 cylinder and install all new plugs as well as check the timing and valves, both of which they said were ok.

In addition to all of that the shop I took it to last week also noted the following:
-There's rust on the engine, further evidence of moisture damage, and also evidence that the engine overheated at some point.
-There's a bolt missing on the engine case itself. (Bottom middle casenut)
-The torque convertor drive plate is loose at the crankshaft.

I haven't had much free time to mess with it but I've done the following so far:
-Checked the spark plug wires and plugs. Its definitely not a non-firing cylinder.
-The torque plate nuts are tight or appear to be so. I went underneath the car through the access hole on the bell housing of the transmission and made sure they were all tight. But this is still bugging me as I think I might not have done it right.


I also want to introduce myself as this is my first post here. I'm Jeff from Richmond, Virginia. I'm new to autosticks but not new to VW's. My first car was a '73 Super Beetle that I've owned since 1997. It suffered an engine fire in 2004 and was in storage for two years until I could start restoring it. I've also owned:
-'65 Beetle (for three days/long story)
-another '73 Super Beetle (originally was supposed to be a parts car but I sold it to get this Autostick because the deal was too good to pass up)
-'86 Jetta Diesel (Great car until my neighbor backed his Suburban into it)
-'88 GTI 16v
-2004 GTI 1.8T, my current daily driver
-And of course the '73 Super Beetle Autostick I'm posting about.

[volkenstein]

CrazedVW,
              I've been following your post on TheSamba. Where are you up to now? Most of the guys there advised dropping the engine and disassembling as they thought it was internal.

I find this statement of major concern :shock: .

-The torque convertor drive plate is loose at the crankshaft.

I know you checked the four TC bolts but it sounds like they mean your entire flex plate is wobbling around.

That's because if the drive plate is loose (the gland nut is undone/broken), nothing is stopping your crank from floating (end play out of whack). This in turn (if it's truly stuffed) could lead to the TC wobbling all over the place and that would be extremely nasty.

If you haven't already, rip that donk out and check the donk and G-box bellhousing for damage.

I'll see if I can download those links, I'm on dialup not broadband

Volkenstein

[volkenstein]

CrazedVW,
              Just listened (I have tinnitus so "listen" is a bit of a farce) to both videos. I'll throw my hat in with the engine rather than trans.


Volkenstein

[bookwus]

Hiya Jeff,

Welcome to the forum!

I gave a listen.  This definitely sounds like an engine related problem to me.  Since you would have to pull the engine to access the bellhousing and clutch/TC components (were they actually a problem) anyway, it looks to me that your primary alternative is a clear one.

In any event, pulling the engine allows you to check out both the engine and the clutch and TC.  Sounds like a winner to me if you are planning on using the car to get around and want a reliable ride.

Keep on coming back this way with any questions you may have.  Lotsa good and experienced folks like Volkenstein to help you with any problems you might encounter.  The AutoStick, like any other old Volkswagen, will take some time (and patience) to get set up correctly.  But once you arrive at that happy spot, the AutoStick is a very reliable beast.

ps...............just thought of something as I posted this............would it be possible for you to post a good picture of the engine compartment?  Especially focusing on the hosing connections between the control valve and the carburetor?

[68AutoBug]

Hi Jeff,
Well, when I had too long bolts in the torque converter...
it made that noise....
When the rivets in the boss of the flexplate came loose same noise...
When one nut came loose on flex plaet when doing up one bolt...
same or similar noise every time....

so I believe its Your flexplate....
rivets loose allowing the flexplate to move backwards and forwards...
or one or more flexplate bolts hitting the bellhousing...
I'm not 100% sure the loose flexplate sounded like that, but I believe so..

so a replacement flexplate and bolts...
should fix Your problem....
First time i heard that noise I thought the engine was about to self distruct..  :oops:  :oops:  :idea:  :idea:

don't forget to replace the torque converter oil seal..
and I'd replace the two ATF/oil pump seals..
all available from evw in the USA...

Best of Luck

Lee Noonan -

[johnr]

I suspect it's flex-plate related.  I notice you hear it best when you back off on the gas,  then it's able to rattle about!  You have no choice but to
pull the engine,  and then the problem should be readily discovered.
Good luck!