Guys -
My '71 411 is now officially my daily driver. See it, a some of my other cars, at http://www.nd.edu/~jshelto3/. It sure has turned some heads, especially kids, and that's always fun, but I tell you: if another person claims to have owned one or had an aunt who had one or whatever, I'm going to scream. Had that many people been buying Type 4s, they wouldn't have been such a sales flop!
I brought it to Indiana from Colorado a couple of weeks ago and it did a steady 75 - 80 MPH all the way back and I got about 20 - 21 MPG. I topped off the oil, adding half a pint or so, about 5 hours into the trip, and since then neither the engine nor the transmission have wanted any more oil. Until now it has, like any good old VW had an occasional drip, but since doing the long drive - the first time I've really driven it much since buying it about a year ago - the leaks seem to have gone away. This seems odd. Is there some way that the long expose to the hot oil revitalized the seals? I keep checking, and not quite believing, that it's not asking for anything more to drink.
The transmission - this is the auto tranny model - makes a sort of low pitched hum when it shifts into the third gear, and it's present from the time of the shift at 30 - 35 mph until about 45 - 50. Also, at that speed range, it only happens when I am giving the car gas. If I let up off the accelerator when the sound is present, it will go away. Anyway, it's not too loud to be worrisome, and I'm curious if anyone else has this sort of hummmmmmmm.
Rear shocks. Should have replaced these before heading back, but I was pressed for time. Sure was a bouncy ride, and now I really need to do something about it. Today I was driving on a concrete highway with lots of uneven expansion joints, and it felt like the driver's side rear tire was pounding up and down, sort of like a basketball!! It almost was like a belt slipping or the tire was unbalanced, but I just put new tires on and they were balanced at that time, so I think it's unlikey (but not impossible) and therefore I suspect the rear shocks. Has anyone else experienced this type of thing?
I need balljoints, BAD. I have the icky early '71 ones that VW unofficially recalled because of vibrations between about 45 - 50. Even used ones would be beter than these icky things! Leads are appreciated. Are there any Type 4s in junkyards in Michigan, Illinois, or Indiana???
Thanks for any insights, guys.
- Justin
411 now my daily driver, a few questions
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justinshelton
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 8:17 am
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Jan Peter de geus
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2003 2:56 am
Very good indeed to daily drive your 411 ! I'm using mine for all private (not work related) trips and holidays. My longest one-day drive was 1102 km (about 685 miles) and all year round I average out at 10.9 L/100km (can't convert to MPG, don't know which gallon you use, there is a difefrence between UK and US).
I also have bad rear schocks. It results in unstable driving, unsecure cornering, difficulties in coping with these traffic slowing bumps etc. It's easy to diagnose when you push the rear of the car, e.g. with your foot on the bumper and, after release of the pressure, see multiple up and down movements. In your other post I listed the numbers. I am going to try new (NOS) Sachs gas-shocks, the last pair the factory was stocking. If they wear out quickly (age) I'll try to find the Kyb's as well.
I can't help you with the autmatic transmission noises. Most EU cars were equipped with manual transmissions. Ray may know?
I found Ball joints trough eBay from a US source. He offered several pairs over the last year. Email him and see if he has some left (Wolfgang Sell at Saybrook Imports, Inc., saybrook@cinti.net, http://www.importautopart.com). Otherwise, Ray or Bill may know sources.
I also have bad rear schocks. It results in unstable driving, unsecure cornering, difficulties in coping with these traffic slowing bumps etc. It's easy to diagnose when you push the rear of the car, e.g. with your foot on the bumper and, after release of the pressure, see multiple up and down movements. In your other post I listed the numbers. I am going to try new (NOS) Sachs gas-shocks, the last pair the factory was stocking. If they wear out quickly (age) I'll try to find the Kyb's as well.
I can't help you with the autmatic transmission noises. Most EU cars were equipped with manual transmissions. Ray may know?
I found Ball joints trough eBay from a US source. He offered several pairs over the last year. Email him and see if he has some left (Wolfgang Sell at Saybrook Imports, Inc., saybrook@cinti.net, http://www.importautopart.com). Otherwise, Ray or Bill may know sources.
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justinshelton
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 8:17 am
Your MPG.
Hi, Jan:
Thanks for the response. I have contacted the guy you got the balljoints from - I too saw several sets come up on Ebay a year or so ago, and stupidly I didn't stock up! I generally buy parts that I know I'll need at a future date, particularly when they're hard to come by, and it's inexplicable why I didn't grab those when they were available.
In terms of your gas mileage, there are 3.78 litres in a US gallon of gas, so 10.9 litres = 2.88 US gallons. Also, 100 kms = 62 miles. To get your MPG, we simply divide 62 by 2.88, and see that you got 21.5 miles per gallon on your long trip. This sounds somewhat lower than I would expect for the manual transmission, but you might be a little heavy on the gas pedal or driving in the 120 KPH range, which would result in lower mileage.
Speaking of gas mileage, years ago (okay, it was 20 years ago!) I had a '71 Super Beetle with that horrible autostick transmission - you know, a clutchless 2 speed car. It had awful pick up, a small engine than the 411, and got 17 or 18 MPG. What a mess. I am much happier with the 3-speed automatic in the 411 than with the autostick, but of course my real dream is to get a 4-speed in there, provided I don't sell the car! I just got 3 more projects, and don't really have indoor parting for my 7 cars. One just might have to go.
I know that the rear shocks are shot on the car - I did the basic "bounce" test when I bought it - the issue is that I'm just trying to find what alternates exist and where I can buy them locally.
- Justin
Thanks for the response. I have contacted the guy you got the balljoints from - I too saw several sets come up on Ebay a year or so ago, and stupidly I didn't stock up! I generally buy parts that I know I'll need at a future date, particularly when they're hard to come by, and it's inexplicable why I didn't grab those when they were available.
In terms of your gas mileage, there are 3.78 litres in a US gallon of gas, so 10.9 litres = 2.88 US gallons. Also, 100 kms = 62 miles. To get your MPG, we simply divide 62 by 2.88, and see that you got 21.5 miles per gallon on your long trip. This sounds somewhat lower than I would expect for the manual transmission, but you might be a little heavy on the gas pedal or driving in the 120 KPH range, which would result in lower mileage.
Speaking of gas mileage, years ago (okay, it was 20 years ago!) I had a '71 Super Beetle with that horrible autostick transmission - you know, a clutchless 2 speed car. It had awful pick up, a small engine than the 411, and got 17 or 18 MPG. What a mess. I am much happier with the 3-speed automatic in the 411 than with the autostick, but of course my real dream is to get a 4-speed in there, provided I don't sell the car! I just got 3 more projects, and don't really have indoor parting for my 7 cars. One just might have to go.
I know that the rear shocks are shot on the car - I did the basic "bounce" test when I bought it - the issue is that I'm just trying to find what alternates exist and where I can buy them locally.
- Justin
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Jan Peter de geus
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2003 2:56 am
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justinshelton
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 8:17 am
US vs. Imperial gallons
Jan -
I failed to mention in my previous message what the difference is between a US and an Imperial Gallon. Basically, a US gallon is 3.78 litres, whereas an Imperial Gallon is exactly 4 litres.
- Justin
I failed to mention in my previous message what the difference is between a US and an Imperial Gallon. Basically, a US gallon is 3.78 litres, whereas an Imperial Gallon is exactly 4 litres.
- Justin
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raygreenwood
- Posts: 11912
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
The KYB shocks work well on the rear. Most of the factory shocks...unles gas...were under rated. Check on that hum. It is generally an issue with the torque converter bolts being vering close to the inside of the bell housing...meaning it may e time to check the flex plate for cracks and check the crank end play. Its not too serious a job though.
The other main thing that causes a hum when stepping on and off the gas, is the donut at the end of the tranny mount being shot...or the rear cross bar bushings being shot, allowing the engine to shift upon acceleration, transfering vibration to the frame. Engine transmission alignment to chassis, is critical in these cars.
Trust me, if you drive this car everyday...replace everything in the front suspension at one time unless you know its age....or it will eat parts on a regular basis. Ray
The other main thing that causes a hum when stepping on and off the gas, is the donut at the end of the tranny mount being shot...or the rear cross bar bushings being shot, allowing the engine to shift upon acceleration, transfering vibration to the frame. Engine transmission alignment to chassis, is critical in these cars.
Trust me, if you drive this car everyday...replace everything in the front suspension at one time unless you know its age....or it will eat parts on a regular basis. Ray