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Old 05-19-2011, 02:44 PM   #20 (permalink)
binarycortex
LurkoModding Ecker
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Da Desert
Posts: 51

new beetle - '98 Volkswagen Beetle GLS
90 day: 32.98 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donee View Post
Hi binary...,

Back when gas was like $4.50 around here last year, the Beetles and Carman Ghias and the one in your picture, all came out of the wood work around here. And the gasoline smell out of these was somewhat strong compared to modern cars. To get good fuel economy you are probably going to need a reengineered fuel system. Jayman on Prius Chat said the Air Cooled VWs were calibrated to run rich to help keep the engine cool. I can relate to that as when my Tempo had a failing fuel pump, it would overheat. Running lean is running hot.
Honestly, those were just not running right, and not properly tuned. A good running 1600 actually has very low emissions. My '71 Super Beetle had a 1600 in it. When I took it for emissions the paper said the maximum for hydrocarbons was 450 ppm, I had 45 ppm. So those people just needed a tune up.
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When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong. -Buckminster Fuller
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