Volkswagen: 1979 VW Bug Convertible, mechanic friend, hi mike

Question
My 1979 VW Bug was for the most part in storage for the past few years.  I would drive it a couple of times during the summer for the past few years.  I am now retired and want to drive it more but I have a problem.

Two years ago a mechanic friend of mine did a tune-up on the vehicle and it ran great.  I would store it for the winter and add a fuel stabilyzer to the gas.  This Spring, I charged up the battery and the engine started right up.  It first ran as if the idle needed to be increased.  After a few minutes of warming it up, I took it for a test drive and it ran well.  I then returned to the house and parked it in the driveway.  I came back out about 30 minutes later and tried to start the engine.  It turned ovber as if it wanted to start but would not start.  I pushed the car back in the garage.  The next day I went back to the car and it started right up again.

I have repeated this process several times with the car starting right up, (running a little roughly) but then smoothing out and driving O.K.  I then park it and come back later and it will turn over but not start.  The next day it starts up again.  I am afraid to drive it anywhere and park it for fear that it will not start again.  Any ideas as to what the problem could be?  I live in Wisconisn in a small town where there are no mechanics that work on VW's.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike Stoner

Answer
Hi Mike,

This should be an easy fix.   There is a temperature sensor that screws into the head by #3 cylinder head.  It is a $15.00 part and is available at most online VW stores.

These usually are usually the primary problem with hot starting issues.

Start there, and let me know how you make out.

Should be fine!

Ron