Volkswagen: 1979 VW Beetle smoking issue, exhaust pipes, head temp

Question
QUESTION: Hey Ron,
I just purchased a 1979 VW Conv. Beetle, it was sitting idle for 7 years or so. I got a new battery and well it started but  does not idle. It dies, i changed out the head temp sensor, replaced spark plugs, wires, rotor, and cap.  It starts now but idles rough and a lot of smoke comes out the exhaust pipes. I also noticed that looks like  black sooth comes out the exhaust. What does this mean? Thanks in advance

ANSWER: Hey Armando,

Congratulations on your purchase.

I would suggest a couple things:

1) Drain the fuel and replace it with new.
2) If it is '79, it should be fuel injected, so replace the fuel filter under the gas tank.
3) Change the oil
4) Adjust the valves (Very Important)
5) Adjust the timing
6) Replace the belt (even if it looks new)

The soot is most likely just carbon from it sitting for so long.

These steps should make your VW road worthy and stop it from stalling out.

Best of luck, and let me know if I can help you any further.

Thanks,

Ron

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

QUESTION: Thanks Ron,
Well as soon as I took of the valve covers, I noticed that a pushrod (intake) had come off the rocker. What does this mean, or why did it happen? The pushrod was not bent, I rolled it on a piece of glass and rolled smoothly but I am concerned about a dent it made on the pushrod tube. Well I posted a topic on the Samba forums. Here is the post: (viewtopic.php?t=252230 for some reason it wont let me post a full address) . Another quick question, I read on your previous post that you might have schematics for DPD air conditioner, the bug has a complete system but does not turn on. If you could email them to me.
Thanks again Ron

Armando

ANSWER: Armando:

The pushrod most likely came off the rocker because the valves were in poor adjustment, or the valve train was loose.

YOU ARE VERY SMART for being concerned about the pushrod tube being bent.  Here is why:  Bent pushrod tubes often end having a hole 'rubbed' through it by the up and down motion of the pushrod.  

If this happens, all of the oil leaks from your motor, and it basically is shot.

Here is the suggested remedy:

1) Check the torque on the heads on make sure they are ok.  If you do not want to take the cylinder head off, cut out the bent alumiunum pushrod tube, remove the end seals and purchase a pushrod tube that you can install without having to pull the head. (they are spring-loaded, adjustable).  You can purchase them at www.mamotorworks.com/vw

2) Remove the two 13MM nuts that hold on the valve train and put the push rod back in.  Torque the valve train to specs. in your handy VW book.

3) Perform a complete valve adjustment on both sides.

4) Check your valves when cold at the following intervals: 200 Miles, 500 Miles, 1,000 Miles, than every 2K.  The purpose for this is to make sure that none of the valves are stretching or receding in thier seats.

As far as the A/C goes: e-mail me at ronwolffjr@hotmail.com and I will send you the DPD specs when I have an opportunity.

Good catch with the valves, you probably saved your motor.

Take Care,

Ron

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

QUESTION: Hey Ron,
Its Armando again, I have another problem. After I fixed the push rod problem the bug worked again. Ran smoothly,well better than before, but still smoked. I changed out the fan belt as you stated previously and now I can't get the bug to idle and is misfiring. I checked the valves and point gap they are correct. Could I had messed up the alternator, I used a large screwdriver to hold the pulley while I loosened the nut. Once again Thanks for your help

Answer
Armando,

The car is may be smoking because the gaskets for the valve covers to the engine are leaking oil, which is dripping on to the heat exchangers.  I would check that first.

If it is misfiring, I don't think it is an alternator problem.  It sounds like timing.  The previous owner may have messed with the distributor to accomodate for the valve mis-adjustment.  I would check that.

Next, I would check all the vacuum lines, as if any one of them is disconnected or leaking, it will cause a misfire condition.

Best of luck, you are almost there!