ghost1647545489 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Looking for a good mechanic to work on my uncle's beetle it has 69k miles on it has a leak in the engine want it fixed reasonably. Thanks Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmonda Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 keep in mind no matter where it is leaking this will be an engine pull. As such...there are certain things like clutch and TO bearing that you will want to change while the motor is out. You want to deal with any hear exchanger repairs, maybe an oil cooler swap, etc. Just about anything that is easy with the motor out. So, factor that in to any costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10phone2 Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 more than likely it is his push rod tubes that are leaking. The engines are easy to work on and all you need to pull the engine is a strong plastic crate to jiggle the engine onto. I would recommend he does it himself and there is tons of info online to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harmonda Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I've done a bunch of these. I just don't have a ton of time right now. Hey...if you get in there and change the clutch...don't buy that huge socket...I have one you can borrow. I don't have the alignment tool...I always eyeballed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rice Eater Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Very common for the o-rings to leak on the oil cooler, especially on those single port models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost1647545489 Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 we think it may be the valve cover gaskets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rice Eater Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Quick fix, they have bale wires clipping them on like 70's GM master cylinders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost1647545489 Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 does the engine have to come out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I too have a '69 Bug. Once I have the time and funds available, I would also like someone local who knows these things..... KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossle Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 does the engine have to come out? No, it does not for valve covers. They are straight foreward to do, if you want to tackle them and are unsure. Plenty of air cooled VW guys on here besides the ones that have already posted. Patterson has had them for years as well. I work over at The Northend Wrench and we see them frequently. Not so much this time of year usually, but big time in the spring. Dave the owner has a original '62 with 30K miles, and Mark our service writer has his fathers '61. Motorkars (spelling?) works on them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10phone2 Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 crossle is right, the engine doesn't have to come out. A long screw driver can pop the valve covers off, replace the gasket, and you are golden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Posted October 4, 2012 Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 I have a 70 beetle. I put a 98 motor in mine. They leak from 4 places, push rod tubes, cooler gaskets, oil drain, valve covers. Figure out where it is coming from first. Probably the cooler or covers. Either way you can fix all of it without pulling the engine. Pulling the engine takes about 10 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost1647545489 Posted October 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 yeah I am not sure where its leaking from just looking for a knowledgeable mechanic for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patterson Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 If it takes more than 20 minutes to do those it's the end of the world. Likely on of the easiest jobs on those cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost1647545489 Posted October 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 anyone know a confident mechanic when it comes to one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 So there are a couple of places around but what you want is a guy that has worked on cars since the 70's, that guy has fixed this before. Cole at Taylor Tire has worked on my bug in the past and fits the profile. I converted from 4 wheel drum to 4 wheel disc brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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