The Classic VW Beetle

I replaced the air filter in my bug the other day, as it was looking very dirty. Upon inspection, I saw oil in the filter area. Not a good sign, i imagine. I check the new filter afer driving the bug around the ‘hood, and there are “spurts” of oil on the inside of the filter - no wonder the old one was so dirty.

Now I have broken out the repair manual, and I have to say that this is even enjoyable as reading a typical book - How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot. This book makes sense to me because it assumes that you don;t know the first thing about VW’s (or even engines for that matter) which is very cool for someone like me. I skipped the part about how to use a screwdriver (joke!) but all in all - it’s a good read.

I am now on the oil system section, so I have some reading to do. All the signs are there that my engine is burning oil; The noxious, purplish cloud that comes from starting up the bug, the darkened chrome tips on the exhaust, and the puddle of oil accumilating in my shallow drip-pan. It all points to something - or just many little somethings.

The book is my first defense, but I do have a trip planned to a Beetle yard, about an hour away from my home. It’s one of the central places for VW parts in the mid-west, but they don’t have a website. As soon as I have the contect details, I’ll post it for others who may need it.