Ertjie. Taming the demon car. Update - 10/07/11

[Rooikat]

Where did you get the colour info? Was it specific to SA cars? I don't think cloth seats/inserts was ever an option on SA Beetles, and locally assembled Beetles were painted at Uitenhage using VWSA colours that may or may not have been similar to German colours.

I thought that green was Delta Green (German spec) or a local colour very close to Delta Green. If you've found a source of info on VWSA colours I'd like to know about it.[/quote]

It was was on thesamba which I think is the American colours they have type1, type2,type3, busses and ghia - http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/inf ... stype1.php
Search according to my vin number which corresponded to the year. I think the inserts where optional not sure. Also sent a email to VWSA asking if they could help but I doubt if they may be able to.

Also on the filter part of the discussion, we need to get fuel lines to do so. Just wondering how much do they go for, don't want some scaly parts dealer giving me the wrong or higher than normal price.

[fig]

Unfortunately thesamba colour info relates only to German built cars. Most VWSA colours were SA only. Unfortunately, VWSA destroyed all archival information. It won't be long before they've forgotten that they built the Beetle.

[Rooikat]

Fig don't be so negative, if they don't have it then there must be someone out there that must have it we just have to find him. All in all I presume that the colours would be the same like green with white interior. The shades might just be a bit different but I shall look in the dark deep crannies of the net to see what pops up.

On other news - http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Car ... Z281219391

*teary eyes* I want's it T.T *grabby hands*

[fig]

If you've found a source of info on VWSA colours I'd like to know about it.

[Rooikat]

Update - VWSA phoned back. With that I was actually very surprised that they did, but unfortunately all they could do is to take the paint code to someone who can mix it for me. The search continues...

[retrovan]

If you've found a source of info on VWSA colours I'd like to know about it.

Have a couple of pages, will scan and ......
need your e-mail, please send to
and will send it to you, to thick to send with PM.

[Rooikat]

Well it's been a few weeks of ups and downs. We replaced the fuel lines and in the process moved the petrol filter in the process. She suddenly also lost a lot of power and started missing very badly. It was due so we replaced the distributor and tried to rebuild the carb from spares but that did not really work out exactly as planned but will get a new one eventually. Also discovered that two of the spark plugs where actually from a two stroke bike engine! So she has been running on only two cylinders since we got her. I am truly amazed that she got to the speeds that she did and that she actually idled very well. So it is now back to the mechanic to put in the new spark plugs that are actually meant to be in there and fill up the gear oil.

If its not the spark plugs causing her to miss then we are going to have to strip the engine totally. If you got any ideas then please do tell.

[retrovan]

.....If its not the spark plugs causing her to miss then we are going to have to strip the engine totally. If you got any ideas then please do tell...........

The miss chould most probebly be the spark plug leads, of a point/condencer thing.

I would replace the points, condencer, rotor, and distributor cap, spark plugs, sparkplug leads. Make sure the vacuum advance suction pipe to the carb. is not loose or have a hole in it.

Then have the dwell set, then the timming. and it should run.

If not..............

[Tony Z]

you replaced the fuel lines and moved the filter... then she lost power

did you put the filter in the right way around? they are supposed to flow fuel in one direction only.

[Rooikat]

There is a whole lot wrong with my little bug, the filter was right way around. Good news we replaced the spark plugs and did a few minor things and she is running like a dream. Her engine is running so smooth like you won't believe.

Bad news, she decided that she did not like her engine being in a working condition so she broke her gearbox. Refuses to go into 2nd T.T This car will be the death of me

[riaanj]

Rooikat, I found that if something starts out like that then you'll have the best end result, NEVER trust anything that goes smooth all the way.. You keep this sweet little car and look after her and she will look after you for as long as you choose to love her, I know you will have many happy years with Ertjie!

[Rooikat]

I agree. I know when we got her she was at rock bottom, probably started digging as well. But with each baby step she has come out of her shell so to speak. We have had many cars before and nothing will ever compare to Ertjie. She might probably be the devil incarnate put on this earth to give me as much grief as possible but I love this car and nothing in this world would ever change that.