Volkswagen: My Thing No Go, spark plug wires, rubber gloves

Question
QUESTION: Hey Rick,
I have limited knowledge of vw's.  I have a 1973 Thing and it wont start. I used it weekly about 2 years ago, then I started planning a wedding, ugh!  It was sitting for about 2 years in garage and I recently recharged the battery and was able to get it started and let run for about half an hour.  Every other day after I started it and let run, but each time it was running a little rougher and harder to start.  Finally it stopped.  The gas was low so I filled the tank with about 5 gallons of new gas. The fuel filter seems to work and I took the air filter off and tried to start by pouring gas into the carb.  Still nothing.  The carb seems to be spraying gas.  Should I take the carb apart and clean or move on to the electrical system.  Thanks for any info
Wayne

ANSWER: Wayne,
  I would be concerned about gas contamination (rust, dirt, bad gas), because the vehicle sat idle for so long. However, if you cannot get it to start even momentarily after squirting a small amount of gas into the carb, it would seem there is a spark problem.  Nevertheless, you can check both:
- Check for fuel system blockage by taking off the fuel line between the carb and the filter, direct it into a container while someone cranks the engine.  You should get a nice clean, strong flow.  This will verify the fuel pump is functioning, plus the filter and lines are not clogged.  If this is good, you could still have blockage or varnished old fuel in the carb which would require thorough disassembly and cleaning.
- Check for spark, either with a timing light (if you have one you probably know how to use it) or by removing one of the spark plug wires at the distributor (not the coil wire)and while holding it close to the cap (with rubber gloves to avoid shock) have someone crank again.  You should see a spark jump on every rotation.
- Check timing.  Again use a timing light.  If not, check for static timing (without cranking the engine) of about 0 degrees (notch in the crank pulley is lined up with the split in the engine case) with cylinder number 1 (right/front)at TDC (top dead center) by turning the crank pulley nut with a wrench under the rotor in the distributor is pointing to the #1 cylinder wire (about 5 o'clock when looking down at the distributor.)  This is very rough but close enough the get it running, however the actual required timing is dependant on the engine/distributor setup you have, anywhere from 5 ATDC to 7.5 BTDC.  It cannot be assumed you have an original engine after 30+ years, so check the engine code located below the alternator mount as well as the distributor code stamped on the body of it.

If you get back to me with these codes, I could give you more specific info.



*** Follow up ***

You might check this excellent post:
http://www.vw-resource.com/tune-up.html#timing


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again for quick response.  I decided to try to start again on a whim and sure enough it worked!  But... it seems to be running at higher and higher RPM with every second.  So I think it is the carb (float stuck or something).  So I plan on taking it apart and cleaning it (unless you have another suggestion).  Please let me know if you think this is the cause too, or if you have any other ideas.
Thanks again,
Wayne

ANSWER: Wayne,
 Sounds like a throttle problem, like the return spring is not working properly.  This exact problem happened to my wife's Thing.   However, because of the starting issues, I would recommend taking the carb off and doing at least a good cleaning, if not a rebuild.  It's cheap, and not too difficult, just pay attention to detail and take lots of digital pictures of the disassembly if that helps.  For example, check out this offer on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-Bug-Ghia-Bus-Thing-Carb-Rebuild-Kit-28-30-34-P

Here's a good article on  the procedure:
http://www.vw-resource.com/carb_41.html

Rick


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for info.  I checked the springs and it is happening even with the springs in different positions, off all the way, and the throttle closed all the way (and not pressing the gas pedal).I went to ebay and got the kit. So that will be my project for next week, yeah!  I also checked the article and have seen that sight before, seems to be a good resource.  Thanks again with all your help and guiding me through my first carb rebuild.

Answer
Wayne,
 Glad to hear you are going for the rebuild.  I believe the carb must have a serious vacuum leak, so check it out carefully as you take it apart and especially when reassembling.  New gaskets and torquing down all the bolts should fix it, but look for any other issues like cracks or broken parts.  Good luck and please give me a status report, I'd like to learn what you found out.

Rick