FAQ - Competition Engineering

Q) What is the recommended total distributor advance?
A) Total advance is recommended to be no more than 29-31 degrees. You'll need a timing light and a degree ring on your pulley to do this accurately.

Q) What can I do to hot-rod my VW Beetle?
A) Bring it to Competition Engineering asap...

Q) When was the first VW Beetle made?
A) The Beetle was developed by German auto designer Ferdinand Porsche. In the early 1930s, Porsche developed several prototypes leading up to the Beetle. Following the 1934 Berlin Motor Show, Adolph Hitler arranged a meeting with Porsche, and they drewup the plans for the Beetle. The first Beetle, referred to as the "KdF-Wagen" by Hitler and as the "Type 60" by Porsche, premiered at the 1939 Berlin Motor Show.

Q) Where is the timing mark on the distributor?
A) Remove the distributor cap. The mark for #1 is on the top edge of the distributor body. It is just a little nick in the metal. This is where the distributor rotor should point when the #1 piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC). #1 piston is right side, front (front is front of the car). There is a notch on the main pulley. Turn the main pulley until that notch on the is lined up with the seam in the center of the engine case, #1 is at TDC. #1 is right side, front. #2 is right side, rear. #3 is left side, front. #4 is left side, rear.

Q) I bled my front brakes, that went fine, but he rear won't bleed?
A) You should start the bleeding from the rear first. If the front brakes are bled, the brake pedal may not go all the way down.

Q) What is the VW Bug firing order?
A) 1 4 3 2

Q) Where can I find a wiring diagram?
A) An excellent reference is www.vintagebus.com. For safety, don't forget to disconnect the battery when you do any type of electrical repairs.

Q) Any idea why I'm getting fuel in the crank case?
A) Typically this is a leak from the bottom of the fuel pump. Remove the fuel pump and look for fuel in the spacer underneath. It is normal for there to be some oil in the spacer.

Q) What kind of power steering fluid should I use in my A2 Golf?
A) Be very careful most newer VWs cannot use generic power steering fluid. From the ND BBS: According to the manual, all VW's use ATF II until April 89. After April 89 use the special Petrosin hydraulic fluid CHF.

Q) Why is my bus so slow up the hills?
A) It's a Volkswagen bus...